Freshman Braley Reveling in Congressional Career

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Freshman Braley Reveling in Congressional Career

By: CJ Jackson, AP

Listening to Bruce Braley talk about Iraq, labor issues or small business policy, it's easy to forget that the freshman congressman's political career nearly fizzled before it began.

First he had to survive a tight Democratic primary race against three competitors, winning election with 37 percent of the vote. Then he faced Republican Mike Whalen, a Harvard law school graduate who created a successful chain of hotels and restaurants.

And there was the matter of history -- it had been 30 years since a Democrat had represented Iowa's 1st Congressional District.

But Braley cruised to victory with 54 percent of the vote and after six months in Washington, even Republicans offered grudging praise and predictions that he'd be tough to beat in future elections.

"He's done what he said he would do when he went to Washington," said Karl Gilbertson, a member of the Republican State Central Committee from the 1st District. "That's counter in many ways to what I want, but that's obvious. He's going to be formidable."

Democrats are more effusive in their praise.

"He's a hard worker, creative, intelligent -- and those characteristics just bode well," said Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., elected president of the 42-member House Democratic freshman class. "He has an extremely bright future."

Braley says little about his future beyond representing the 1st District, but he's eager to talk about the present.

"I talk to people who came in different classes of Congress and it's clear we have a unique opportunity," Braley said in an interview with The Associated Press. "They call us the 'majority makers.' There's a lot we can get done."

He seems to revel in the minutia of government.

Talking with union leaders in his district office in Davenport, Braley moved easily through the finer points of labor laws.

As one of his visitors grumbles about President Bush's opposition to a variety of legislation, Braley jumps in with an amen.

"At some point in time the guy's got to sign some of the bills we put on his desk," Braley said.

The visitors nod and seem satisfied, but Braley isn't done. As a staffer glances at the time, Braley continues for another 10 minutes.

Braley has done more than talk since entering Congress.

In a rarity for a freshman, he was appointed head of the contracting and technology subcommittee of the House's Small Business Committee. He has also shepherded a bill aimed at steering more federal money to small businesses through the House. It awaits a vote in the Senate.

There are other pursuits, too: He is training with fellow Democrats for a baseball game against their GOP counterparts. On most mornings he rises well before 7 a.m. to get to practice.

"It's very, very competitive," Braley said.

Braley has a relatively liberal record -- he supports abortion rights and has voted to end the Iraq War. But he said he has maintained a good relationship with Republican members of Iowa's delegation. Despite a recent spat, he is friendly with Rep. Tom Latham, and he said he occasionally chats with Rep. Steve King.

"There's a difference between disagreeing and being disrespectful," he said. "It's a very difficult balance to strike. People tend to focus on partisan debate."

Braley plans to run for re-election in 2008. As yet, no Republican candidate has expressed an interest in making the race.

Gilbertson, the GOP central committee member, said a Republican will likely challenge Braley but that it won't be easy to knock him off.

"History is on their side," Gilbertson said. "He's not a favorite of mine, of course, but he's going to be stiff competition because he is the incumbent and he won last time.

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