Need a Job in Politics?

Saw this the other day at a website commonly used for Democratic Job Postings.  Seems this will be the third Press Secretary Congressman Steve Kagen will have in as many years.

Not that it's big news mind you.  Congressional offices and most political operations go through Communications Directors and Press Secretaries like they're copier toner.

Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. (WI-08)
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 9:54 AM
Subject: Job Posting: Communications/ Press Secretary

Communications/ Press Secretary: Frontline Midwestern Democrat seeks politically savvy person with strong writing skills to handle press and communications. Responsibilities include coordinating press events and pitching stories, responding to press inquiries, writing op-eds and releases, as well as handling website/e-communica tion. Ideal candidate will have press experience in a Congressional office. A good sense of humor is a plus. Please send cover letter, resume, and 2 brief writing samples to uppermidwestdem@ yahoo.com. No phone calls or drop-ins.

Notice what's missing?  How about a preference for someone from Wisconsin?

Most Congressional offices when they have an opening try to make a preference for someone from their home state.  It is because they view it as a plus to bring on board a local person who knows the area (particularly in a Congressional office which is as local as you can get in federal politics) they will helping to represent.  Members of the Wisconsin delegation on both sides of the aisle tend to do this often.  In fact, Ron Kind and Paul Ryan's offices are almost completely staffed by native Wisconsinites.

This lack of Wisconsin representation in the upper echelons of the Kagen Congressional office is nothing new.  His first Press Secretary was from New York and his latest -- the soon-to-be-departed Jake "The Snake" Rubin -- is from New England having gone to college in Massachusetts at Brandies University and worked on the Presidential campaigns for both Senators John Kerry in 2004 and Chris Dodd in 2008.

All Kagen appears to want from his applicants beyond a good resume is a 'good sense of humor.'  No doubt they'll need it.  Ought to be a real hoot when the position is taken over by a new staffer who's been a lifer in DC for much of the decade and they can't pronounce "Minocqua" or the litany of other Northeast Wisconsin locations for the first time.