This blog post is from Eugene Sherman, MD, FACC, vice-chair of the ACC Political Action Committee. For more updates from Dr. Sherman, visit his CardioSource Communities profile.

**************************

The 2nd Annual PAC Luncheon during the ACC 2010 Legislative Conference was the highlight of today for the many ACC members lobbying on the Hill.  The PAC Luncheon is designed to bring a topical speaker, ACC Advocacy staff and donors. 

This years guest speaker was Karl Rove, well-known for his political activities and advisory role with President George W. Bush.  He even began his program by telling us about his experiences with James Carville, last year's speaker.  Mr. Rove was candid and entertaining in his Texas style with careful and detailed analysis of current President Obama based on recent poll data.  He critiqued both parties and their approach to this year's mid-term elections.  While not as much of a comedian as Mr. Carville, he was more analytic and factual and actually less opinionated in discussing the course of American politics as he sees it today.

His response to a question from former BOG Chair John Harold, MD, FACC, about 9/11 was insightful about the activities of that eventful day and the character of Mr Rove himself. For me, it was moving to hear his description of history and what those involved were thinking during the early minutes and hours after the attack on our country.

We are able to have this event and our Legislative Conference because of the leadership of the PAC under Bo Walpole, MD, FACC, who followed in the steps of Jay ALexander, MD, FACC, a leader who helped grow our PAC over the past several years.   Our PAC staff of Nick Morse and Kaycee Smith along with leadership provided by ACC CEO Jack Lewin, MD, and ACC SVP of Advocacy Jim Fasules, MD, FACC, has made ACC the envy of many specialty organizations.  

Please try to join us next year for the 2011 Legislative Conference and the 3rd Annual PAC Luncheon.  We will try find another top-notch political figure for 2011.