A sixth little known factoid about me is that I spent the summer between my junior and senior year in college working as an intern for one of the senators from Vermont here in Washington, DC.

I worked for three months in the office of U.S. Senator Robert T. Stafford, Republican.

Yes, you read that last word correctly. He was a Republican. He passed away today at the age of 93. God rest his weary soul. I knew him well enough to know that he would have had little to do with those who are in office today. He was a gentleman and from the old school of Republicans. That school of fiscal responsibility and conservation; that school that believes that even though people must be responsible they still need a little help from time to time.  I learned from him and those in his office about what the party used to be about; about the fine art of compromise, about how to keep your eye on both the little guy AND the nation in the same moment. It is possible. It is possible to walk a straight path in politics. I’ve witnessed it. I’ve worked with those who did it.

Senator Stafford gave of himself to the people of Vermont and this nation unstintingly.  We thank you and wish you God speed from here to the hereafter.