Friedeman on Greg Harper's first 100 Days

Matt Friedeman - Harper passes test after his first 100 days in House

If U.S. presidents can have an examination of their "first 100 days," can U.S. representatives? Because Mississippi 3d District U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper just sailed past his.

Harper feels he is on a roll, even as he and his party colleagues are pummeled daily by the awesome advantages of Democratic numbers.

Harper feels particularly blessed with a designated freshman leadership position on the National Republican Congressional Committee, good committee assignments (House Administration, Budget, Judiciary), a staff he is comfortable with, and a nice office location.

Frustrations aside, some on the underpopulated Republican side of the aisle impress the new represenatative. Republican leader John Boehner "has a commanding presence" but is "extremely approachable." Pete Sessions of Texas has a special needs child like Harper, which affords them some emotional common ground. Randy Forbes of Virginia has "been a genuine friend." And Harper also sings the praises of Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the Republican Conference.

So - the 100 day accomplishment thing. What does the 3rd District have to show for Harper's leadership? Well, says the congressman, "The great thing about being a freshman is that I have not been blamed for anything yet." However, it is always important to remember why the GOP fell out of power. They didn't, he observes, control spending. "It is easy to get caught up in the Washington life ... it is imperative to stay grounded and remember why folks elected you."

As one of only two freshmen on the executive committee of the national Republican Congressional Committee, Harper seems confident that the Republicans will be humbled back to their conservative roots and, as the Democrats dig a deeper hole in deficit spending, regain Republican control of the House in 2010.