A former senator-turned staffer takes reins for Minnesota freshman congressman

Talk about bringing in a veteran political hand.

Freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack, Minnesota Republican, hired a former United States senator as his chief of staff, at least for a few months while he settles into office.

His new top aide, former Sen. Rod Grams, also served a term in the House representing Minnesota’s sixth district. Then, he benefited from high name recognition from his prior career as a TV anchorman.

The Daily Caller asked Grams what it’s like to serve as the staffer to a freshman congressman after his own career in Congress, whether he misses the halls of power in Washington, D.C., and what convinced him to work for Cravaak, anyway.

TheDC: How did you begin working for Rep. Cravaak?

I was a supporter of his during the campaign. When he got elected…he just asked me, because I’ve “been there, done that,” sort-of. I was in the House, I was in the Senate. So I’m familiar with the process of opening offices, and trying to get on certain committees, and stuff like that. So I just thought I had a little expertise and experience and also some connections. I know a lot of people out there.

I said I’d come on board for a couple of months. And when we get all done I’m just going to kind of fade back into my private life again.

TheDC: What’s it like being a staffer after being a senator?

Well, it’s a little different because I know all the work that the member does. And I see him running from meeting to meeting – not that staffers don’t have an awful lot of work and a lot of things that we have to have done – but it was just kind of a relief that it was him that was having to go attend these caucus meetings and these hearings and things like that.

I know how much pressure is on him. And that’s why I thought I could help him out as well. There’s so much on their shoulders especially when you’re a freshman and you’re coming out trying to learn the ropes. And to not have to worry about other things because you got so much on your plate.

But it doesn’t take long to become a veteran. And he’s become a pretty good veteran already. And so that’s why I say I would only do this for a couple months, because nobody wants me looking over their shoulder after a while. They’re gonna do their own thing.

TheDC: Does your pride ever get in the way?

I’ve been asked this a couple of times, you know, “why I would do this?” And some people say, “well, doesn’t your pride get in the way?” Well I don’t look at this as pride. I’ve got no ego in this. I’ve got no turf that I want to stake out. This isn’t long-term. What I’ve tried to do here is offer a little experience, a little expertise that I’ve gained over the years. And to put that to use to help Chip get off his feet a little bit better.

I have no doubt he’s going to do a great job. And it’s not going to be because of me. But I’m just hoping that somehow, I can just help him a little bit to get just a little bit better start in the race. Maybe out of the blocks just a little bit quicker than he would have. I don’t claim any credit for any success he’s going to have, but I hope I can help him a little bit.