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SIUC freshman Brian Mosley said he was inspired to run for congressman Jerry Costello's seat in the House of Representatives Monday night.
If such an event were to occur, Costello would have to blame his colleague, congressman Ray LaHood, a Republican from Peoria, for stirring the excitement inside Mosley during his speech in Carbondale.
Mosley, a freshman from West Frankfurt, studying history, was one of roughly 150 people in attendance for LaHood's address and open forum in a Student Center ballroom. Though LaHood reaffirmed his plan to retire from Congress, he said the SIUC students he interacted with signaled to him that the future looks bright for the governing body.
"Public service is a noble calling," he said. "For all of these students that have gathered here, I encourage you to get involved. Take an active part, and you can make a difference."
Mike Lawrence, the institute's director, said he also sees a strong future for government because of the recent surge in political involvement from young people. Lawrence, who has taught political science at SIUC for 10 years, said it takes a candidate with an unusual message to inspire that demographic to take an interest in government.
LaHood said U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has done just that as he continues to campaign in the Democratic presidential primary. But LaHood, who is reportedly seeking the Illinois Republican Committee chairman post, said he continues to support Sen. John McCain for president.
Since the beginning of his Congressional stint in 1994, LaHood was chairman of the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton in 1998 and assisted in the organization of four congressional retreats. Organizing those retreats were highlights in his career because they began to heal the strong sense of partisanship in the House, he said.
"Bipartisanship is the only way to succeed in a legislative body," LaHood said. "No one of the 435 (congressmen) ever gets their own way. The only time we get something done is when we work together."
LaHood said representatives do not know each other on a personal level like they did in the past, which makes it easier for rivalries to build.
But LaHood said a representative's two-year term forces them to return so they can interact with the voters.
Mosley said if elected, he would find a way to close the partisan gap like LaHood suggested.
"I think most people in Congress know what they're doing," Mosley said.
