I’ve talked to Mark Souder a lot. He’s at his most attractive as a politician when he gets caught up in some complicated and controversial issue like illegal immigration or Bill Clinton’s impeachment. He has a policy wonk’s fascination with details, and he really does consider all the sides and angles, which is why he was one of the few congressmen to think Clinton was guilty on some of his impeached behaviors but not on others.
He is at his least attractive when he’s in attack mode. Some people can pull off the snide stuff and some can’t. Souder sounds especially spiteful:
“A race for congress is not a race for student council,” Mark Souder says in a recent campaign ad.
[. . .]
“He helped paint a fence. Nice. But, not a skill not commonly required in congress,” Souder’s ad says.
Congressman Souder’s ads also claim that Montagano isn’t familiar with northeast Indiana.
“My opponent recently took leave from his Indianapolis law firm in order to run from Congress in this area. He even said he bought a GPS unit to help him find his way around. As in, ‘honey, can you look up Auburn on the GPS,'” the Souder ad says.
Mark should really be careful with the “doesn’t know northeast Indiana” stuff. For one thing, it just flat isn’t true. For another, it might remind voters that Souder seems a lot fonder of Washington than he does of Indiana. (Sorry, still can’t get over that pledge thing.)
Opening Arguments 
September 3, 2008 at 11:58 am
Why is it that those with money waste it by saying nothing about issues? Both the republican and democratic candidates have not identified one issue. The democrat’s web site has a tab for issues, but there are none. The republican’s web site has even less.
Mark Souder’s Statement on Social Security. Mark Souder spoke to Prime Time 39 on 3/12/2004 and referred to Social Security as a “shell game.” He stated, “For people under 30 it’s probably going to be income based. I am not saying we’re going to pass that. It will probably be passed after I am dead.” He continued “If you’re 40, you might make it through the system. But if you’re under 40, and certainly under 30, you had better start planning because if you want to have a decent retirement you’re going to need supplemental funds.”
If he is as detailed as you say, then he does know the truth about Social Security, but does not have the fortitude to do anything for the workers today, except tell them to save more.