WASHINGTON - While the job doesn't officially start for another month and a half, Congressman-elect Erik Paulsen has already been bombarded with advice on matters substantial and small.
"Stay away from the upper levels of the House office buildings and try to get [an office] near the entrances, so you don't have so far to walk," one congressional aide advised Paulsen ahead of Friday's House office lottery.
"To tell you the truth, I don't care if I was in a broom closet," said Paulsen, a Republican from Eden Prairie. "I'm just going to work hard while I'm here."
Since his arrival in Washington at the start of the week, Paulsen has been loaded up with massive amounts of information to digest as part of the new member orientation. It teaches newly elected members a host of things, including how-tos on the office lottery, ethics rules and the electronic roll call votes.
There's a lot of housekeeping and logistics to wade through, Paulsen said, but the orientation also presents him with a chance to get to know his colleagues.
"Coming from the state Legislature, I've found that a lot of the closest relationships you build end up being colleagues in your class or on the committees you serve on," he said.
Paulsen, a former Minnesota House majority leader, won election this month to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad, his mentor and onetime boss.
As the only freshman Minnesotan in the U.S. House, Paulsen faces his share of challenges: looming economic woes, being a first-term Republican in a Democratic-dominated House and trying to replace a popular nine-term representative known for his moderate stances on issues.
But, Paulsen said, it's in times like these that he takes cues from his mentor.
"I think the key to Ramstad's success has been his commitment and ability to listen to all points of view and pay attention to constituent service," Paulsen said. "It's not just some sort of some philosophical voting pattern, it really is being a good listener and being civil. That's what I hope to take with me."
For now, Paulsen said, his priority is setting up shop and getting ready to help his constituents in Minnesota -- or his 700,000 bosses, as he puts it. He has yet to hire a staff, opting instead to wait and see which committees he's appointed to, although he did bring campaign manager Laurie Esau on the trip, along with his wife, Kelly.
As for the big issues awaiting the new Congress, such as the proposed auto bailout and a second, transportation-heavy stimulus package, Paulsen is taking a cautious approach: "From my perspective, I'd just want to see Congress have hearings on all the different proposals that are out there. I can't tell you yes or no on these things yet."
Until he's sworn in early next year, Paulsen will focus on learning the ropes of his job and letting it all still sink in.
"Personally, I'm pinching myself every minute. Every time I look out and see the Capitol, I still can't believe I'm here. "
Mitch Anderson • 202-408-2723
