Why Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) Deserves Re-Election

In response to a recent Gallup poll which recorded record-high anti-incumbent sentiment toward Congress, Yahoo! Voices asked contributors whether their representatives deserved to be re-elected.

COMMENTARY | Bobby Scott has been my representative in the 3rd District of Virginia as long as I have lived in Virginia. He spent years before that as a member of the Virginia General Assembly. So you could certainly call Rep. Scott a career politician. But, despite some current views (recently indicated by a Gallup poll which recorded high anti-incumbent sentiment toward Congress), being a career politician is not necessarily a bad thing when said career politician has persistently supported the right causes even when it was a difficult thing (politically) to do.

When, for example, following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, a fever of rage and a thirst for revenge swept the nation, Rep. Scott kept his cool, remained rational, held to the principles of peace, and voted against going to war with Iraq. At the time that was an exceptional, conscientious, and politically risky position to take in a region of Virginia which is home to the largest concentration of military forces on the planet. Yet, in retrospect, Rep. Scott's continuing opposition to the longest and most expensive war in America's history has clearly been the best course of action. He has supported our troops (by fighting to keep them out of harm's way unless absolutely necessary) while also acting to protect the economic interests of our nation. More than that, Rep. Scott's demonstrated ability to keep a level head during a national crisis is just the sort of calm, clear-thinking leadership America needs to get us through our present and future problems.

What our nation needs most today, in light of the congressional gridlock which is currently paralyzing America's progress, is for our leaders to put the welfare of the people first, and learn to work and play well together for the benefit of the nation. Rep. Scott is a Democrat who has held office for more than two decades in a generally conservative, "red" state. That would surely not have been possible for any politician who couldn't work "across the aisle" with Virginia Republicans.

Yet what most solidly demonstrates why Rep. Scott deserves re-election is that he IS a Democrat who has held fast to Democratic principles: supporting the separation of church and state, healthcare, education, civil rights, conservation and protection of the environment, worker's rights, and social and economic justice for all. He has unfailingly represented the wishes and desires of his constituents (as opposed to serving those of corporate lobbyists or other moneyed interests) precisely as a true representative of the people should.