U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) spoke about prose and politics last night at the Penn Bookstore.
In front of a crowd of about 50 students - many of whom were from the Penn Democrats - Murphy promoted his new book, Taking the Hill: From Philly to Baghdad to the United States Congress, and conveyed the common democratic theme of change.
He recounted war tales from the time he served as a Judge Advocate General with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq with his characteristic Northeast Philly accent.
"Its hard to see what it's like to lead a convoy up and down ambush ally in 138-degree heat and understand the pressure our troops are under," Murphy said.
Murphy relayed that pressure to his audience as he told the story of two Iraqi men who had been kidnapped after they tried to stop Shiite "henchmen" from stealing a generator.
He alluded to the political wrangling that was necessary to recover the men from the mosque in which they were being held.
Change was a recurring theme of Murphy's discussion as he called for bipartisan politics and fiscal responsibility.
The congressman reflected upon his own trials and tribulations in both his pursuit of a congressional seat and attempts to pass legislation on Capitol Hill.
"He's definitely special. He's the first Iraq war veteran to serve in Congress," said College freshman and Penn Dems event director Jordan Levine. "His youthful view on politics is refreshing."
Murphy also discussed his plans for withdrawal from Iraq following a question from an audience member.
"What are we still doing there?" Murphy inquired. "[Iraqis] took a summer vacation while Americans stood up everyday," Murphy said. "It's human nature [that] they will let us do the heavy lifting for them until we turn it over."
Murphy, who is also a coveted superdelegate in the 2008 election, spoke passionately about Barack Obama as an "inspirational leader" who only comes along "once in a generation."
Murphy's wife, Jennifer, looked on as her husband told the audience she voted for President Bush twice and that Obama will be the first Democratic nominee for president she will vote for.
College sophomore and Penn Dems president Lauren Burdette said, "He really connects well with younger voters," a characteristic Murphy shares with Obama.
