When confronted with the news that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard appointed a new chief of staff with no Washington, D.C., experience whatsoever, even the most politically naïve must wonder what sort of thinking is going on in the office of the representative for Hawaii’s second district.

Kainoa Ramananda Penaroza is a very young 30 and, while most Hill rats are roughly in that category, as a chief of staff Mr. Penaroza is going to be subjected to people with much more experience and perhaps many years older than he.  So what sort of message is Ms. Gabbard sending to her colleagues?

This wouldn’t be the first time Ms. Gabbard has presented a questionable image to her constituents.  Her whereabouts during the hearing Senator Hirono held on Veterans Administration issues remained unknown for several months until it was discovered she was surfing for a promotional video.  Her absence at the hearing was not just noticeable but considered by many veterans as a slap in the face.

Yahoo News reporter Chris Moody interviews Tulsi Gabbard off Waikiki in August.

Screenshot, Yahoo News

Considering Ms. Gabbard’s position on veteran’s affairs, she missed a huge opportunity to be present at one of the more significant events for Hawaii’s veterans.  It was well known that she had been invited to the hearing yet the seat next to Senator Hirono remained empty.  All she needed to do was just show up to show her support.

Aside from not being there, the tap dance her office did to cover her absence bordered on the ridiculous.  It would appear that veterans were just a political convenience.  So far Ms. Gabbard’s office seems to have weathered the mini controversy.  Perhaps it is an arrogance known and practiced by some Hawaii politicians that so long as you are a Democrat you can be elected or re-elected without concern for any past misdeeds.

Mr. Penaroza may be an excellent salesperson.  And that may be all that Ms. Gabbard’s desires him to be. 

Selling legislation is not for the weak of heart.  Otto von Bismarck once said, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.”  It would appear Mr. Penaroza has significant sales experience but with the wealth of experienced offered by others, as a veteran I would prefer someone with more credibility trying to sell programs especially on veteran’s issues.

If Ms. Gabbard is laying ground for future political aspirations, she would be well advised that her current job is representing her constituents to her fullest ability.  Somewhere along the line she may pay for these political gaffs. And perhaps that is the key, being well advised. 

Whether Ms. Gabbard is receiving poor guidance or her strategy is an attempt to confuse is not known by us, her constituents.  For many of those she represents, a more stable approach to government would be welcomed not more grammatical criticism of the president’s syntax.