Tom Carper has a roundabout way of sneaking up on an answer. If you ask him to reflect on his 24 years in the Senate, he might start with an anecdote about a nomination; inquire about his concerns for the future, and he’ll start talking about his MBA.
While most lawmakers with résumés like Carper’s share their opinions as if they were unquestionable pronouncements from on high, the soft-spoken Delaware Democrat takes his time.
As he finishes out his final term as a senator, the 77-year-old credits his workout routine with helping him not “stay mad at people.”
