" If ‘extreme’ means that I am unwilling to go to Washington, D.C., and do what President Obama tells me, then so be it. But I am certainly not going to Washington, D.C. to represent the interests of D.C. I’m going there to represent Colorado values. "
- Ken Buck

In this statement, Ken Buck expresses his stance on representing Colorado's interests rather than those of Washington, D.C., emphasizing that he would prefer not to align himself with presidential directives from President Obama if it means compromising his values. He clearly delineates a boundary between the expectations set by federal leadership and the commitments he feels towards his home state.

Buck’s statement delves deeper into a broader political discourse surrounding local versus national governance. By asserting Colorado's values, Buck highlights the importance of preserving regional identity and interests in face of overarching governmental mandates from Washington. This perspective underscores a common sentiment among representatives who feel that their constituents' needs and beliefs should take precedence over federal directives. It also reflects a skepticism towards centralized power and an emphasis on localized representation.

Ken Buck, the speaker of this quote, is a notable American politician who has served as a United States Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district since 2015. Prior to his role in Congress, he was a District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District in Colorado from 1997 to 2015 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate seat in 2014 against incumbent Mark Udall.