Paulsen took Doritos to Yemen

Rep. Erik Paulsen brought three bags of Doritos to Africa last month, the Eden Prairie News reports.  The Doritos were for Colleen Traughber, a native of Paulsen’s hometown of Eden Prairie, who works at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen. On hearing of Paulsen’s trip she sent word through her parents (also Eden Prairie residents) that she’d appreciate a delivery of the dust-covered corn triangles.

“I met Minnesotans, even Eden Prairie residents, at every stop I made,” Paulsen said.

Also at each stop: Counter-terrorism discussions. “Anarchy in [the region] can give way to actions like piracy,” Paulsen told the Star Tribune.

Accompanying Paulsen on the late-April tour were four Democrats, including trip leader Rep. Adam Smith of Washington.

Besides Yemen, the group’s itinerary included Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco.

Upon his return from Africa, Paulsen spoke on the House floor (video) in favor of removing trade barriers so U.S. consumer products could reach the shores of a foreign land — Columbia. He didn’t mention Doritos.