Congressman Mike Doyle(D) lives at "C" Street

[RamboLiberal]

In this piece from the Washington Post, we learn that our own member of the House, Congressman Mike Doyle, resides in the C Street residence:

People familiar with the house say the downstairs is generally used for meals and prayer meetings. Volunteers help facilitate prayer meetings, they said. Residents include Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), Ensign and Coburn. None of the congressmen agreed to be interviewed for this article. But associates of some of Ensign's housemates privately worried that the other residents would be tarred by the scandals.

So I wondered how connected was my Congressman to the group? Contacted for a comment (specifically asking if the Congressman was a member of The Family and how closely he subscribes to the theology of Doug Coe, if at all. I also asked about the amount he pays for rent - $600/month - a question Fester over at NewsHoggers raised a few days ago) Doyle responded:
The only religious organization I’m a member of is the Roman Catholic Church, of which I’ve been a member all my life. The only religious teachings I follow are those of the Roman Catholic Church.

My living arrangements comply with all House rules and are perfectly legal and ethical. I rent a room – not an apartment – and the rent I pay falls within the range of what anyone could rent a room for on Capitol Hill.

I’m confident the people I represent will judge me on my behavior and my performance as a Member of Congress – not anyone else’s.
Someone's religious identity is extremely personal and indeed should be respected. We live in a secular society - no religious tests for membership in the Congress or in Government. Just because he lives there does not mean he believes all the stuff Sharlet reports.

http://2politicaljunkies.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

He's my congressperson and I like him - but I admit this puzzles me.

[livetohike]

1. I was shocked to read this about Mike Doyle

He's done a good job for his district and I always liked him. Why would he live there - with all the other options in D.C. :shrug:.

[Pat Riot]

2. shocked at first, but then relieved

I think that the fact that Doyle answered you straight up rather than dodging is a good sign. I think I'm OK with it. Maybe I'm just believeing what I want to, but to me it looks like he's just saving money renting this room rather than some more lavish home.

Clicked on your link and was very impressed with your blog, read a good bit of it. I loved the Ferlo story (he's been a hero to me for years now) and now I have more insight into your attitude toward that dirty Trib!

[RamboLiberal]

3. That's not my blog - but one I read regulary

Give credit to David DeAngelo and Maria Lupinacci who do a great job of covering the Democratic side of national, PA state & Pittsburgh local politics.

[SteelPenguin]

4. Here's my problem with Mike Doyle

I've met him, he seems like a nice guy, and generally I like the way he votes...

...but he's run unopposed in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008. In 2006 and 2008 he had Titus North run against him in the general as a green party candidate, but no primary competition, and no Republican competition.

That generally just rubs me the wrong way. I don't like not having a choice at all in who my representative is. It's not Mike Doyle's fault per se, but the local party as a whole.

[MrMickeysMom]

5. I better open up that envelop I just got from Doyle soon...

I do get mail from him, even though Timmy's my so called representative.

Since seeing Bill Maher's interview about C Street, I feel completely creeped out that anyone would rent a room. Could Doyle respond to you when being asked about the philosophy of "The Family"???