Freshman Erik Paulsen's first day

Taking over the seat held for years by U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, Erik Paulsen, once a Ramstad staffer, is no newcomer to Washington, but he's new at being a congressman.

By KEVIN DIAZ, Star Tribune

Last update: January 6, 2009 - 9:39 PM

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WASHINGTON

Erik Paulsen was enjoying bipartisan good wishes Tuesday after being sworn in as Minnesota's newest member of Congress.

"It's an echo chamber," the Minnesota Republican told a visitor, gazing up at the bare lavender walls and empty desk in his new office on Capitol Hill.

The visitor, Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota's Democratic senator, offered her congratulations, adding to the practical advice she's been dispensing on flights, travel and luggage.

But Paulsen, a former staffer for retired U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, whose seat he won in November, needs no help finding his way around the Capitol's political labyrinth. At 43, he comes to Washington rated one of Politico's 13 "up-and-comers" in the Class of '08, based in no small part on his experience as House majority leader in the Minnesota Legislature.

Though Paulsen is generally seen as more conservative than his former boss, he said he's optimistic about working with the Democratic majority and the new Obama administration.

"Every indication I've seen from the new president is openness, inclusiveness and outreach," Paulsen said in an interview. "It's exciting to be a part of the process."

He said Ramstad, who helped with his campaign, told him to "be who you are." Whether that means his voting record will match up with Ramstad's, which was consistently centrist, remains to be seen.

"Everyone's different, obviously," Paulsen said. But already, his start-up staff of six includes two former Ramstad staffers: Dean Peterson, who was Ramstad's chief of staff, and Margaret Cavanaugh, Ramstad's director of constituent services.

Paulsen is angling for the spot Ramstad left vacant on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. But as a freshman, he knows that's a stretch. Another option might be the Financial Services Committee, which he said would position him to boost Minnesota business interests, including Cargill, Best Buy and Target.

The first big political battle of the 111th Congress is likely to be fought over the Obama economic stimulus plan. Like a lot of Republicans, Paulsen is wary about its potential $1 trillion price tag.

"I think the focus should be on tax incentives," he said. "I don't want to see it become a Christmas tree."

Settling in

His own surroundings in Washington will be austere, matching the mood of the times. He'll be shacking up in Washington with three other House members. Gearing up for his swearing-in, he shared his 8-by-8-foot room with his wife and four daughters, ages 7 through 15.

"My family is used to camping," he said.

They're also used to campaigning. "It was a lot of hard work, and it's definitely a family affair," said Paulsen's wife, Kelly, who is working on a master's degree in English as a Second Language.

Despite long experience with politics, the Paulsens still came to Washington with a familiar sense of awe. "It's pretty surreal," Kelly Paulsen said. "We had to pinch ourselves when he was being sworn in."

Congressional swearing-ins are all about the ceremony. So there was no irony in Paulsen taking the oath from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat Republicans love to run against, moments after voting for Ohio Republican John Boehner for speaker.

Taking a page from Ramstad, Paulsen expects to work while in the GOP minority by establishing collegiality across party lines.

"I just want to listen and build relationships with as many of my colleagues as possible," he said.

But while there's always hope, there's always politics, too. "There's going to be some friction," he said, "because that's what happens sometimes in politics."

Kevin Diaz • 202-408-2753

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