McCOMB — Third District U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper probably will remain the McComb area’s congressman as long as he wants to be — barring significant realignment of his district.
The first-term Republican from Rankin County defeated a formidable field of candidates in 2008 to replace Chip Pickering, who opted not to run for re-election.
I have heard of no opposition for Harper in next year’s election. If he had a serious opponent, it would have to come from within the Republican Party, since the 3rd District is pretty much gerrymandered to ensure a Republican seat — just like the 2nd District is skewed to keep Bennie Thompson or some other Democrat in office.
Having said all of this — and with no personal bias against Harper, who seems to be a nice guy — I was a little surprised by some of his comments in an interview with Anne Schroeder Mullins, as reported on the politico.com Web site. It was part of a series called “Get to Know a Congressman.”
The piece was called to my attention by someone surprised by this question and answer:
“What in the world does the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus do?”
“We hunt liberal, tree-hugging Democrats, although it does seem like a waste of good ammunition.”
That statement — obviously facetious — seems to be what’s grabbing the most attention, but it certainly isn’t going to do Harper any political harm. Many of Harper’s constituents appreciate it.
But some of the other flippant answers given by Harper in the interview, as reported on the Internet, would make good advertising fodder for an opponent, if Harper ever has a serious one. Such as:
“Why do you think the majority of congressional representatives are lawyers, like yourself?”
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to sue you.”
“As a congressman, what’s your biggest obstacle?”
“Trying to find my way around the Rayburn Building is always a challenge. Combining my poor sense of direction with a confusing design is not good.”
“Have you broken your streak of not introducing any bills yet?”
“Bill who?”
“If Thad McCotter (R-Mich.), Tom Price (R-Ga.) and Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) were all sitting at separate tables, where would you sit?”
“Probably with Thad, because if I didn’t, it would hurt his feelings. You know what a sensitive person he is.”
Here are some more reported questions and answers, some of them a little more serious. He even said something good about novelist John Grisham, who, if my memory is correct, usually backs Democratic candidates.
“Who is your favorite Mississippi literary great: Eudora Welty or William Faulkner?”
“Neither. I’ll take my law school classmate John Grisham any day.”
“What’s the best advice your pal Haley Barbour ever gave you?”
“Maintain your old contacts, and stay in touch with your local leaders back home. Continue to work on your grassroots efforts. No one ‘gets it’ more than Haley.”
“Trent Lott?”
“Learn the rules of the House and always stick with your friends. Trent has always been there for me and has been a living example of what loyalty means.”
“You’re an avid autograph collector. Who’s your dream signature?”
“I would like to acquire a document autographed by John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence and is one of my American heroes. Witherspoon was a Presbyterian minister, was the president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and influenced many of our early political leaders.”
“Ole Miss or Mississippi State?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the biggest misunderstanding people in Washington have about folks from Mississippi?”
“Folks have a common misconception that Mississippi is strictly a rural, outdoors state. While we are famous for our hunting, sport fishing and year-round golf, we also have leading manufacturers like Peavey Electronics and Viking Range Corp.”
“What’s your guilty pleasure?”
“Eating dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses every day.”
