John Sununu: The First 100 Days
WASHINGTON—Although serving his first term as a U.S. Senator, the term “freshman” doesn’t seem to fit John Sununu (R-N.H.). After all, he’s no stranger to Washington.
Sununu served in the House of Representatives for three consecutive terms before being elected to the Senate in November. His Senate committee assignments, which he describes as “action packed,” include seats on the Foreign Relations, Commerce and Banking committees, at the center of some of the most important issues facing the country: national security, the war on terrorism, and economic recovery.
In a session of Congress that has featured conflict and partisan bickering over a host of issues both domestic and foreign, Sununu is excited and motivated by being at the center of the action during his first 100 days.
“What’s the most rewarding thing about being in the 108th? That I’m a member of it!” he exclaims with a chuckle. “It’s a tough question, especially given the historic time that we’ve had as a new Congress. As an American, there’s nothing more rewarding than what comes from the pride of watching service members in Iraq do their work so successfully.”
Sununu has gained a reputation as an up-and-comer: high praise from Congressmen and pundits alike who watched his hard fought campaign against former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen last year. What followed was a media blitz that brought him a lot of national attention, and set up his emergence in the 108th Congress as a determined, focused member of the Senate.
Transitioning from the House to the Senate has forced him to make “big adjustments” in both priorities and time management. Senators have full committee agendas five days a week whereas in the House, he said, a lot of work is wrapped up in the middle of the week so that members can spend as much time as possible in their home districts.
But Sununu said he has not felt dogged by the transition, because he’s largely been able to apply the same ideas of “adopting a pace and a discipline for time management” that aided him during his first months at the House.
“No, it hasn’t been difficult, it’s been exciting, it’s been very rewarding and it’s even been fun,” he said. “It’s been an exciting and historic time to be a member of Congress, to say the least. Coming in as I did, regaining the majority … it was seeing the excitement and enthusiasm being carried in the entire Republican conference.”
Sununu brings to his new job both enthusiasm and determination. He is a dynamic speaker on the Senate floor, sharp-tongued and unafraid to challenge his opposition. He is an ardent supporter both of the administration’s tax cut plan, and what he calls President Bush’s “steadfast leadership.”
“Leadership is taking tough issues head on and putting forward bold initiatives to get the job done,” Sununu said. It is a value, he maintains, that has always been important in his family, the Bush family, and in Washington.
Of course, it definitely doesn’t hurt that the Sununu name has been established in Washington for decades (Sununu’s father served as both governor of New Hampshire and then as White House chief of staff under President George H. Bush), and that Sununu first forged a now integral relationship with the current president while visiting the Bush family in Kennebunkport, Maine, more than 20 years ago.
“We share some core values – of limited but effective government, low taxes, local control personal responsibility – so on a lot of issues, we’re likely to agree,” he said.
Bush was a visible presence during Sununu’s 2002 campaign and came to New Hampshire twice to show his support. According to Sununu, Bush’s visit helped draw voters’ attention to his campaign and the issues he was stressing: strong homeland security policies, economic growth, and support of New Hampshire’s small businesses.
“Having the President visiting the state helps to get voters more focused on the election and the campaign, and if you take advantage of that, you’re able to connect with them,” Sununu said in an interview in early March.
Sununu said that one of the most important things to keep in mind when entering Congress is building relationships with other members and also Capitol staff. “Personal relationships are extremely helpful in persuading your colleagues to support your issues,” he said.
He has been able to maintain many of the relationships he forged as a House member. The transition, he said, has been easier because he can relate to other members, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), with whom he served in the House. Like Sununu, Graham also won election to the Senate in November.
“It’s always nice to go through a process like this with people you know, share your ideas and thoughts, and work together to find out and unravel the mysteries of the Senate,” he said.
Rep. Charlie Bass (R-N.H.), himself a fourth term House member, worked closely with Sununu in the House Budget Committee and said he recalls Sununu’s tenacity and determination.
“During his years in the House, Senator Sununu distinguished himself as a highly intelligent, thoughtful, and well prepared lawmaker,” Bass said in an interview. “These same skills appear to be serving him well in the Senate, where he has gotten rave reviews for his command of Senate floor procedures. I have enjoyed working with him in both capacities on issues important to the people of New Hampshire.”
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H) concurred, saying in a statement that he looks forward to further legislative endeavors with his fellow New Hampshire Senator.
One of Sununu’s major focuses has always been national security, and he’s been very supportive of the steps the Bush administration has taken including engaging Saddam Hussein’s regime in war. He called watching troops enter downtown Baghdad and assist Iraqis a “phenomenal moment.”
“There really aren’t that many moments that you watch and recognize their historic importance at the same time,” he said. “Oftentimes we’ll look back and say to ourselves, well, that was a really historic moment or special time, but event like these you recognize their importance then and there.”
Sununu said that he watched the U.S. marines and Iraqis jointly felling the statue of Saddam Hussein and it moved him much like watching the Berlin Wall come down.
“Those events are few and far between,” he added. “To see the excitement and jubilation was exciting, but even more important, I’ve been enormously impressed with the professionalism and commitment of the men and women in the service.”
Sununu has a lengthy list of priorities over the next year relevant to both the nation and to New Hampshire, including veterans’ health care, a transportation bill “that treats New Hampshire equitably,” and increased funding for special education.
Sununu says he is determined, especially over the next 100 days, to follow his own advice about being an effective player in Congress.
“It’s really about getting yourself plugged in, and saying to yourself: how do I want to influence policy? What kind of an approach and what kind of a legislator do I want to be?”
Published in Foster’s Daily Democrat, in New Hampshire.
