Rep. Fattah Meets Ardmore Progressive Members, Talks Election

"I am not your congressman, but I hope to be," said Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2) to members of the Ardmore Progressive Civic Association on Monday night.

Fattah, a Democrat who represents Pennsylvania's second district in the U.S. House of Representatives, will soon be representing Lower Merion and Narberth, if he is reelected in November. A 2011, and consequently Rep. James Gerlach (R-6) will no longer represent the area in Congress.

"I'm very excited about representing Lower Merion and Narberth, and working closely with the civic associations here in Ardmore," Fattah told the civic association, which met Monday night in the basement of Ardmore's .

"We'll have plenty of time over the next 10 years to get to know each other," he joked.

After introducing himself, Fattah answered questions from the community members in attendance, including his thoughts on the upcoming presidential election.

"I think there's going to be a great deal of efforts on behalf of the Republican party to regain the White House, but I don't think they're going to be successful," Fattah said.

"It's very hard to figure out how a Republican would get elected president without carrying Pennsylvania, and I think the ability of Romney to carry Pennsylvania rests solely with what happens in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia suburbs," he added.

It's also fortunate for President Obama that Gov. Mitt Romney is his opposition, Fattah said, because there is such a stark contrast between their views.

"The president has been very lucky with his opposition throughout his career," Fattah said. "... I think it's very fortunate that the president is up against Gov. Romney in November."

When asked what citizens can do to advocate for their concerns, Fattah encouraged them to get fully involved in civic affairs.

"You have to participate fully, which doesn't mean registering and voting—that's the least you should do," Fattah said. "That means you have to really be actively engaged in civic affairs. People who have different viewpoints are actively engaged. ... If we love our children, we have to be prepared to do likewise."

You can't take a passive position on the issues if you see people who are against you on these issues who are working hard," Fattah continued. "When you see that, you need to work hard too."