Wright: Age not a factor
Bill Wright, the chairman of the Guilford County GOP, has a letter to the editor today regarding our story on Coble's age and whether he'll retire. From the letter:
But perhaps the article says even more about Jay Ovittore, an announced Democratic challenger. Ovittore suggested that anyone who has served as long as Coble begins to get cynical and corrupt.I have known Coble for many years and shared the platform with him at numerous events, especially programs honoring our veterans and ex-POWs. Coble is a man of the people, visible throughout the 6th District. He is constantly meeting with constituent groups, area businesses, speaking to schoolchildren, veterans' groups and listening to the concerns of voters. He has assembled a talented and committed staff that provides perhaps the best constituent service of anyone in Congress.
So is Wright right? Can you serve in Washington for more than two decades and still be a "man of the people?" Or do age and length of service eventually take their toll?