"Wow." "Hello" to Bob Lynn from the White House (yeah, the one in DC)

One of my staff took a call from the White House. A Special Assistant to the President wanted to talk to me about my position on the Alaska Retirement System vis a vis the Presidents's Social Security proposal, and I was supposed to return his call. I think that kind of political pressure from a White House staffer to a state legislator on a state issue is out of bounds. Obviously, this call was generated by political operatives here in Juneau. I sis, however, attempt to return the call but never did get through due to busy lines on Mother's Day. I did, however, leave a pointed message on his answering machine.

I thought this kind of stuff was material for a Press Release, so I issued one. See the following:

PRESS RELEASE

Representative Bob Lynn, Alaska House District 31
May 8 2005

I received a telephone call from the White House. Mr. James Kelly, Special Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs, wanted to know my position on SB141, a bill before the Alaska Legislature on PERS/STRS as it compares to the president’s social security reform agenda.

The answer is,

“I support my president. Social security is a federal issue, and Alaska PERS/STRS is a state issue. When I become a Member of Congress, I’ll be happy to make official statements about federal issues. Give my regards to your boss.”