Realtors(R) Get a View From the Left and Right

WASHINGTON, May. 13 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2008 election is about change, according to Paul Begala, Democratic strategist and CNN political analyst, and Tucker Carlson, MSNBC senior campaign correspondent. Begala and Carlson shared their diverse political insights with Realtors(R) from across the country today at the 2008 National Association of Realtors(R) Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Realtors(R) are in Washington, D.C., this week to urge Congress to act on important issues facing the real estate market, including housing stimulus measures, mortgage reform and affordable property insurance.

"Realtors(R) of all political persuasions and affiliations agree on one thing," said Dick Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif. "The Realtor(R) party stands for private property rights, homeownership and housing issues. Our interests are in influencing positive change that will protect the rights of consumers in the real estate transaction."

Begala observed that critical issues facing the country today, including the stability of the real estate market, rising gas prices and other economic factors, demand change. "Nine out of 10 Americans think we're moving in the wrong direction," he said.

Carlson noted the influence of legislation and public policy on the lives of today's Americans. "Your world increasingly intersects with the federal government," Carlson said. "You know as Realtors(R) -- you work toward something slowly, but it can go South in a heartbeat."

On a personal note, both Carlson and Begala acknowledged the meaningful contributions Realtors(R) have made in their own lives. "Thank you for what you do for a living. I'm a big fan of Realtors(R) -- my uncle was a Realtor(R). You're in the American Dream business," said Begala.

"Some of the most dramatic moments in my life have been buying houses. You have been there to help me through those stages, so I thank you," said Carlson.

Thousands of Realtors(R) are in Washington, D.C., this week for the 2008 National Association of Realtors(R) Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. More than 9,000 Realtors(R) and guests are expected for the meetings, which began yesterday and will run through Saturday, May 17. Nearly 200 exhibitors are participating in the Trade Expo, which showcases the newest real estate products and services for the real estate industry.

The National Association of Realtors(R), "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the Web site's "News Media" section in the NAR Media Center.

REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS(R). All REALTORS(R) are members of NAR.