Pols Getting Personal a Good Sign

Sure, it was just the kind of goofy stunt one might expect from a local politician. There was Robert Hertzberg last week standing in front of a Van Nuys supermarket talking to whoever would listen. What a sight to see. In the end, though, the assemblyman’s performance in a Ralphs parking lot highlighted the utter sense of disconnect most voters feel from their elected representatives in an age of political consultants, slate mailings and bulk television buys.

There was something distinctly homey about seeing the Sherman Oaks Democrat stopping shoppers with their carts overflowing and saying: “Hi. I represent you in the Capitol.” As the Legislature and Congress enjoy winter breaks, representatives from across northern Los Angeles County are spending time in their districts pressing flesh, making speeches and eating Chamber of Commerce chicken dinners.

And while the pols circulate in the same old crowds--because they are often the only ones who vote--average voters are oblivious even to who their voice in Sacramento or Washington is. If it takes gimmicks like standing outside a grocery store to help fix that, so be it. Clearly, though, creative approaches are necessary to reconnect voters with the political process they ostensibly control. For instance, state Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) last week hosted open office hours to let constituents grumble about government.

Of course, there must be more to a politician than the ability to shake hands with--and even hug--total strangers. Freshmen legislators like Rep. James Rogan (R-Glendale) have been struck in their first terms by how divisive and petty modern politics often is. By reconnecting with the people they represent, politicians may then be able to reconnect with each other.