Leader McConnell Thanks Communications Director David Popp
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor thanking leadership staff:
“It’s a busy time around Washington. Newly-elected colleagues who will join us in January are hiring staff and getting acquainted with the rhythms of the nation’s capital. I imagine that seasoned veterans are passing along a familiar bit of advice, attributed to President Harry Truman:
“’If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.’
“It’s an observation colored by exposure to the more cutthroat, double-dealing corners of public policy. It seems to suggest that loyal, devoted counsel that you can trust implicitly is so rare, you might as well quit looking for it!
“Clearly, the 33rd President of the United States never had the privilege of meeting my friend, Dave Popp.
“Certain corners of the Capitol press corps may be surprised to learn that, indeed, my communications director does have a first name.
“But like most folks in the building, I call him Popp, too. Around my office – and frankly, across Capitol Hill – this one word has become shorthand for fierce loyalty and a peerless capacity for hard work.
“Early on, it wasn’t exactly obvious that the proud son of Wilmington, Ohio would end up applying these qualities at the highest levels of American politics.
“For many years, Popp’s highest political loyalty and most significant vote went to his mom, Leilani, and her campaign for the school board.
“And at least until college, his appreciation for hard work had him following in the footsteps of his dad, Tom, a longtime community banker.
“But for those of us who have seen Popp on the clock here in the Capitol, it’s hard to imagine him winding up anywhere else.
“By the time I got the chance to hire him, Popp was already a seasoned pro on the Hill. And being the humble, self-effacing guy he is, I’m sure he met the opportunity to join Senate leadership staff with the awe and wonder that the upper chamber rightly commands.
“Still, the thought must have crossed Popp’s mind that working in communications for a notoriously tight-lipped principal might be a welcome break from the rambunctious world of the House where he had cut his teeth.
“That, of course, was not to be. As it turns out, when I stay mum in the hallway and members of the Fourth Estate don’t get the answers they’re looking for from me directly... they go looking for Popp, instead!
“One of the immense luxuries of my time as Leader is knowing that when you turn to staff to tackle challenges, you get your pick of the very best.
“I’ve never doubted that the man with ultimate responsibility for broadcasting my views, eyeing blind spots, squashing rumors, and shaping stories is among the very best.
“As the very best tend to be, Popp is modest. He often tries to convince his colleagues that he’s really not much of a writer… That he couldn’t cut it as a pure flack… That he doesn’t have an eye for the creative side of political communications.
“But nobody buys it. Popp is a pro. Full stop.
“But he’s also an incredible teammate.
“Deflecting praise for his own work usually means showering it, instead, on the team he leads so capably. Popp treats the rest of my communications staff like family.
“When the Senate pulls a late night, he’s quick to send as many of them home as he can manage.
“After a long session, he’s known to appear with a stack of Italian subs from a favorite spot down Pennsylvania Ave.
“And if Popp treats team like family, I should note that his real family makes a great team, too.
“Popp’s wife and ultimate teammate, Monica, is herself a proven veteran of Senate leadership. As chief of staff in the Whip’s office, she was an essential member of our extended team.
“For anyone who’s met Monica, there’s no question as to where Dave Popp learned grace under pressure.
“My field general for communications brings an invaluable combination of skills:
“He has both the worrier’s instinct to anticipate and prepare for everything that could possibly go wrong… And the even keel to stay on course when big waves do inevitably crash across the deck.
“At moments of immense national importance, Popp is unflinching. In chapters of great personal significance to me, he has my utmost confidence.
“Around the office, no matter the news of the day, Popp is quick to remind us: all eyes on stakeout.
“And in the mold of a certain one-named predecessor who was once mistaken for an automated email system, he’s even quicker to keep me and my team informed of the latest developments, at all hours.
“But lest anyone worry that I’m working Popp too hard, I should point out that he does have hobbies outside of work.
“After all but the most demanding weeks in the Capitol, he and Monica find time to escape to their happy place on the water.
“And in the near future, I suspect he’ll have a bit more energy to devote to the hunt for par – and a club championship – on the golf course…
“…And to more sundowners on the Bay, with Tilly and Captain in tow.
“Until then, I will relish having such a trusted hand and consummate public servant in my corner.
“Popp, my friend, thank you so much for everything.”
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