Recently, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) conducted its 2010 Issues Conference in San Diego, California. An annual event, the Issues Conference is attended by Realtors® from around the country who are active supporters of NAR's political efforts.

With more than 1 million members, NAR maintains a high-visibility presence in Washington, D.C. Working out of NAR's striking, green-certified building on New Jersey Avenue, the Realtors®' lobbying staff is widely acclaimed to be one of the most respected and accomplished in the capital.

It is fair to say, though, that a significant portion of Realtors® have a pretty low level of awareness with respect to the organization's legislative efforts. Many have misperceptions as well. It is often assumed that the Realtors®' support and interests are pretty much lined up with the Republican Party. This just isn't so. As the Realtor® Political Action Committee (RPAC) explains it, "Unlike some organizations, Realtors® believe in not favoring one political party over the other, but rather we believe in having as many friends as we can on both sides of the aisle."

At the conference, NAR's chief lobbyist, Gerard "Jerry" Giovaniello pointed out that RPAC financial support in the last election cycle was roughly 57% Democrat and 43% Republican. That number will vary from year to year, but generally it is pretty even. This is because the political activities of NAR are sharply focused on real estate. It doesn't give or withhold support on the basis of social issues, foreign policy, or anything else that isn't directly involved with matters such as land use, property rights, home ownership, and the conduct of real estate business. And those kinds of issues tend to cut across party lines.

Speakers at this year's conference included Senator Johnny Isakson (author of the Senate version of the tax credit for first-time and continuing home buyers), Stuart Weisberg, former Staff Director for Congressman Barney Frank, and Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report. A panel on "The Obama Administration's 1st Year" featured Jim Glassman, a former Under Secretary for the Bush Administration and Anita Dunn, former Communications Director for the Obama Administration.

There is little doubt, though, that closing speaker Paul Begala was the one who made the greatest impression on those who attended. The choice of Begala as speaker was an interesting one. To say that he is a highly partisan Democrat would be a severe understatement. Begala is a former White House counselor to Bill Clinton. With partner and sometime co-author James Carville, he was a senior strategist for the Clinton-Gore Presidential Campaign in 1992. Begala frequently appears on CNN political panels where he passionately and incisively defends and supports the presidency of Barack Obama. It was reasonable to expect that his comments would test the bi-partisan spirit of the conference.

But Paul Begala didn't deliver a partisan analysis to the Realtors® that evening. Rather, he talked about America. He told of calling his French brother-in-law the evening of Obama's election and asking him if he thought that France might ever elect a President of color with French-Moroccan roots. "Only in America" his brother-in-law responded.

Mr. Begala spoke of his grandmother who came to the United States from Hungary, speaking no English. She worked as a maid and took care of other people's children. And she was proud to do it. He told of being able to bring her to the Oval Office where she sat and conversed with President Clinton. As they drove away from the White House, she poignantly commented, "Only in America."

Paul Begala challenged his audience to consider that the servers who were clearing their dinner tables and the maids who would make up their hotel rooms might be very much like his grandmother. And one day, maybe one of those servers or maids would get to visit their grandson or granddaughter at the White House in Washington, D.C.

It could happen in America.

Published: March 30, 2010

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Bob Hunt is a former director of the National Association of Realtors and is author of the recently published book, "Real Estate the Ethical Way." A graduate of Princeton with a master's degree from UCLA in philosophy, Hunt has served as a U.S. Marine, Realtor association president in South Orange County, and director of the California Association of Realtors, and is an award-winning Realtor. Contact Bob at .