The more I'm around Mark Souder the more I like him. He's mellowed or maybe I have because my regard for him has grown over the years.

He used to be one of those people I call tape-talkers. It's my own little label and refers to folks who get started on a subject, stop their mental tape to answer a question, then turn the tape back on, starting again where they left off.

The ability some people have to stay with a topic is something I admire. When I'm speaking, a raised eyebrow will throw me off.

However, I'm paid to listen and observe, as my boss likes to remind me, not pontificate.

I've listened to Mark Souder for a good portion of his Congressional career. When he was a junior representative (taking the oath in 1994) he was a tape-talker guy. I covered his visits to Whitley County when he was the Fourth District representative.

He would be in the Columbia City council room or South Whitley town hall and at other locations throughout the county on a regular basis.

Maybe three citizens would show up wanting to talk about Social Security. At other times 20 people would show up to discuss issues. He would listen to all concerns and answer questions. Aides would take information.

He would start one of his absolutely numbing tape-talks on government finance. I learned a lot. I wanted to scream.

After redistricting he became the Third District rep, and his territory includes Kosciusko County.

Oh, no, not the tape-talker, I groaned.

It wasn't that I didn't like him or think he wasn't intelligent. He has a great sense of humor and explains lofty concepts so everyone can understand them. It was just that tape thing!

Well, he and a couple of congressional aides visited the newspaper a few months ago and I was happy to see him again.

Happier than I've ever been because tape-talking has been ejected. He is as articulate as ever, but doesn't worry a subject to death like he used to.

I don't know if he's mellowed (he's 51) or was given a good piece of advice or just changed.

He still doesn't use undecipherable political terms. He's still staunchly conservative.

And he's as sincerely interested in what people think as ever.

He's been in the county several times over the last few months, visiting businesses, visiting schools, visiting with government officials, getting a feel for his new territory. I caught up with him at Combined Community Services in Warsaw on Monday.

Souder has co-authored legislation to allow faith-based organizations receive federal grants. Since CCS is a very successful recipient of state and federal grants, that's where the Congressman went to learn.

I realized something else during the tour, while he talked with every staffer available.

It takes me a long time to decide how people "seem" to me. I figure folks have good days and bad days and constants of personality take a while to surface. I'd be in the wrong business if I jumped to conclusions every whipstitch.

The reason I decided Souder was the tape-talking type is because I've had so many opportunities to watch and listen to him.

For as long as he's our Congressman, we won't be able to shake him. Isn't that refreshing? I think he'd much rather be in Indiana than Washington.

That's the kind of representative he was for the Fourth District.

Every time I turned around Mark Souder - not his aides - would be at the Whitley County courthouse or at the Churubusco town hall.

These initial visits and introductions aren't a fluke.

He won't just flip through the county, glad-handing once a year - or less - asking for our vote.

And when the inevitable happens and you and the Congressman come face-to-face, give him a label of your own. [[In-content Ad]]