Paulsen leans to conservative side in his balancing act

WASHINGTON

After seven months in Congress, Rep. Erik Paulsen is living on the edge.

The Republican from Eden Prairie faces the complex task of representing a swing district in one of the most volatile political and economic climates in recent history. But unlike his moderate predecessor, Jim Ramstad, Minnesota's newest representative is emerging as a decidedly conservative lawmaker.

A 44-year-old freshman in the minority party, Paulsen holds one of the toughest positions on Capitol Hill, where his lack of seniority can impede him from substantial legislative victories.

Perhaps because of this, he has remained largely out of the spotlight in Washington, although behind the scenes he has dug into his work on the House Financial Services Committee and focused on a message of fiscal conservatism in an era of unprecedented spending.

"In general, I'm concerned that the government's kind of taking over the financial sector and banks, took over auto manufacturing with 60 percent ownership and now with health care it's a similar situation that causes concern," Paulsen said in a recent interview.

He justifies his voting record largely on the basis of job creation, taxes, spending and the effects on small businesses -- which so far has put him in opposition to many major Democratic initiatives.

His politics clearly have resonated with party leaders such as GOP Whip Eric Cantor, a political mentor during the campaign. Cantor, R-Va, named the former Target executive to the minority whip team, which is tasked with keeping Republicans together on key votes.

"He certainly has a background in business and can bring a dose of reality to a lot of the discussion around here that is often very theoretical and lacking pragmatism," Cantor said.

One of Paulsen's early achievements came in March, when he was the lead Republican on a bill creating oversight for President Obama's bank bailout program, which was approved unanimously. Three successful amendments since then have addressed veteran-owned businesses, financial crime enforcement and medical technology.

A nuclear energy proponent, Paulsen also has authored a bill that would force the president to decide whether to designate Nevada's Yucca Mountain a nuclear waste disposal site -- an ongoing deliberation that has accumulated billions in taxpayer revenue with no action.

"It's become a slush fund is what it's become," Paulsen said.

"Often you sort of see, particularly early on, a real connection between the very specific needs of a district and members' legislation and speeches," Pearson said. "And he's broader than that."

A tough race ahead?

Paulsen voted with his party 91 percent of the time on key legislation this year, according to Congressional Quarterly. In contrast, Ramstad, received a 70 percent rating in 2008.

Such party loyalty could prove problematic in 2010, some analysts say, considering Paulsen did not win a majority in his election and his district narrowly supported Obama in 2008.

"If you were to just look at the numbers, a political scientist would predict Paulsen would vote against his party more than any Republican in the House," Pearson said.

Paulsen, who calls his approach "solution-oriented," says he is not as worried about being a conservative in a contentious district.

"Minnesotans are ticket splitters," he said. "They look to the candidate, not the party, which is the way it should be, and that's only going to help me."

So far no one has committed to a 2010 run against Paulsen, although Third District DFL chair Marge Hoffa said, "We've got some good candidates that are thinking about it."

Anticipating a tight race, the National Republican Congressional Committee has labeled Paulsen's seat as vulnerable and will devote extra resources to his campaign.

"This is a district that has frustrated Democrats for some time now," said Dave Wasserman, House editor of the Cook Political Report, who also noted that only 34 Republicans hail from districts that went for Obama.

So far, Paulsen's key departures from the party have been voting for children's health insurance, credit card reform and to give the FDA oversight over tobacco.

A sparse lifestyle

Outside of his legislative work, Paulsen lives an equally conservative lifestyle, as he adjusts to the far-from-glamorous routine of a freshman member of Congress.

He shares a small apartment near Capitol Hill with three other representatives, Republicans Steve Scalise, of Louisiana, Kevin Brady, of Texas, and John Shimkus, of Illinois. The sparse accommodations are not unusual for young members. Paulsen said he and his roomies sometimes sit around late at night discussing their families and committee work.

He often does not leave the office until about 11 p.m., soon after a video-chat with his four daughters in Minnesota via his desk computer. He stays late, he says, to catch-up on work and personally sign letters. Lacking a car, he usually walks or takes the Metro back to his apartment.

"That's been hard being away from the family, because Washington can be lonely," Paulsen said. "When you tune out of all the activity, that's like, you're alone."