Meghan Snyder’s political leanings may be at odds with some members of her family, but since becoming a Hill staffer, she’s discovered that blood is actually thicker than politics.

[IMGCAP(1)]“A lot of my family are card-carrying members of the ‘elite liberal media,’” she said. “But they’ve been nothing short of amazing to me while working for conservatives. They’ve been really helpful, even though I’m pushing the conservative message.”

Although Snyder started her job as press secretary for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) at the beginning of September, she actually got her first taste of Capitol Hill in 2004, when she interned for then-Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.), who died in 2007.

Growing up in Frederick, Md., Snyder knew she would eventually come to work in Washington, D.C. After graduating from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, she worked at a conservative public relations firm in Alexandria, Va.

But her heart was in politics. Snyder volunteered for several political campaigns, including Bob Ehrlich’s successful Maryland gubernatorial bid in 2003. She recalled the excitement of “having Republicans come together and reclaim control of the state.”

Snyder carried her enthusiasm for politics with her to college — even if her friends at school didn’t always understand her passions.

“I had the biggest crush on Tucker Carlson,” Snyder admitted about the MSNBC correspondent. “If he had been in Teen Beat, I would have bought every copy on the newsstand.”

When she came face to face with her crush on the Hill while interning for Norwood, Snyder got a picture with him, which she proudly showed off when she got back to campus. Unfortunately, most of her friends didn’t know who he was.

“What is cool in Washington doesn’t always translate well” outside the Beltway, she lamented.

Snyder is equally passionate about her dislikes, including two popular books-turned-movie franchises.

“I refuse to read or watch anything related to ‘Harry Potter’ or ‘Lord of the Rings,’” she said. “I don’t want to buy into the trend. Everyone is always like, ‘Oh, it’s so good. You should read it,’ but I just won’t.’”

Asked what she’d be doing if she wasn’t working on the Hill, Snyder had a few ideas — some of which would surely keep her in political opposition to much of her family.

I’d be “booking guests on a TV show or working for the Palin campaign, nudging my way into Sarah’s speechwriting or stylist’s offices.”

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