Our elevator is out of commission, and the 62-year-old U.S. congressman had to take the back stairs up to the meeting with our Venice Gondolier Sun editorial board.

Not a problem. Vern Buchanan is looking very fit. He has lost 25 pounds since I saw him last. When in town, he bikes the trail along the old railroad bed. In Washington, he stays with the exercise program, joining the thousands who can be seen on sunny days along the banks of the Potomac.