I'm not excited to post this, but it *IS* a notable first...

[Blue_Tires]

Utah’s Rep. Mia Love takes spot in history

Washington • Utah’s Mia Love raised her right hand in the House chamber Tuesday to take the oath of office and enter the history books as the first black female Republican member of Congress.

"I’m in awe," she said earlier as she greeted waves of well-wishers in her new office, now sporting the official Representative Mia B. Love sign. "I’m just taking it all in and enjoying it. I’ve decided I’m not stressing today."

Love, who is also the first Haitian-American in Congress, got the star treatment on her first day as Utah’s newest representative: Rep. Paul Ryan, the former GOP vice presidential candidate, escorted her to the House chamber, Speaker John Boehner kissed her on the cheek and Majority Whip Steve Scalise brought her a gift.

"For everybody who did so much to work on this campaign, thank you so much for bringing this budding star to Congress," Ryan told a crowd of supporters huddled in Love’s office. "We’re so proud of her; we’re so thrilled for her; and we can’t wait to see what she’s going to do."

Love, 39, won her second bid for the 4th Congressional District in November after Utah’s only Democrat, Rep. Jim Matheson, opted against running for re-election. With Love, Utah now has an entirely Republican delegation.

Reps. Rob Bishop, Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart were sworn in again Tuesday.

Love, though, stole the spotlight. A line of folks stretched out of her office, each hoping for a photo with the new congresswoman. Love’s family, including her parents, who flew in from Connecticut, held court in the packed space.

Her father, who immigrated to America from Haiti, didn’t stop smiling.

"This is a country of hope and opportunity," Maxime Bordeau said. "This is America."

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2026676-155/utahs-rep-mia-love-takes-spot

[SheilaT]

1. I can't begin to imagine what she is thinking,

being a female Republican member of Congress. Not to mention being Black. It's as if she has not been paying any attention to the Republican part for the past decade or so.

On the other hand, many years ago I knew a Black man who'd come to this country from Barbados, and he was constantly puzzled by the behavior of the American born Blacks he came across.

[Fred Sanders]

3. She is a Fundie, it is all that counts to the Fundie soaked GOP.

[SheilaT]

4. Didn't know that.

To be honest, I know almost nothing about her.

But to raise the question once again, what in the world is a Black woman doing as a Republican? Or as a fundie? What ever happened to the idea of thinking for oneself?

I know. Fundamentalists absolutely don't think for themselves. They simply swallow the fundamentalist line, and quake in fear at an independent thought ever raising its head.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Of course the media obsessed with Obama's religion and how it moulded him wish not to talk

about religion when it comes to the GOP.

The crazy fundie viewpoints of Ted Cruz, the media avoids that like the plague.

[bravenak]

2. She has my daughter's name.

I can be nice for a day.

[ellenrr]

6. when I was in TX, there was a Native American member of the KKK...,

and Mia Love - maybe she has decided that the Republican Party meets her interests, her values.
Maybe she wants to become a political player and in her opinion the Rep. party is the best path.
She doesn't sound to me (not that I know a lot about her either) like someone who is not thinking for herself.

[bravenak]

7. She sure seems to have her own mind, that's for sure!

I think she may be Mormon too, something to consider. Her family looked so proud. I'll giv her a few days to settle in and say some crazy stuff. I have met plenty if black people like her.