Daybreak. Time to get up and go, and go talk politics.

But no, not really, not for many of the twos, tens, then hundreds passing through the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal Wednesday morning.

It didn’t really phase U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, who camped out at the end of the terminal’s long pedestrian bridge a few rooster crows past 6 a.m., hoping to slow-step a few of the hurried commuters who would soon rush past on their dash to the 7:05 boat to Seattle.

6:15, 6:20. A Washington State Ferries worker raised the Old Glory up the flagpole outside the terminal. 6:35, 6:40.

Steady, the footsteps grew, in nearly Seussian fashion: one commuter, two, three commuter, four.

Kilmer, a second-term congressman and Gig Harbor Democrat, called out a quick introduction as they passed, a “Good morning!” or “How are you?” before the closer:

“Any issues on your mind?”

Most passed by; many tucked behind headphones, hunched over from the weight of their smartphones, or pulled forcibly toward the ferry by the gravity of their cardboard-sleeved disposable coffee cups, with one arm extended out, zombie-like.

Some were able to muster something of an answer.

“Not at 6:45 in the morning,” one man called out as he passed.

The top of the ramp went empty for a long moment. It was, after all, 20 minutes before sailing.

Then they started coming again, adorned with computer bags, skateboards, tote luggage on wheels, dogs.

The passing crowd began to swell. 6:50. Some glanced at Kilmer and the big blue sign behind him with his name and the seal of the House of Representatives.

“Good morning, how are you?”

“Awake,” came the commuter’s reply.

“That’s progress!” Kilmer said.

One woman walked by quicker than most.

“I’m sick of politics!” she said.

“I understand,” Kilmer nodded.

The rush continued. 6:55.

“This early in the morning, I take nothing personally,” Kilmer said.

More greetings, then a few handshakes. Some nice words.

“I voted for you.” “Thank you for your work.”

The pace of the congressman’s “Good morning!”s picked up speed.

A millennial wearing a Star Wars T-shirt walked past. People were really rushing to the ferry now.

“I love ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’” Kilmer offered.

Some stopped long enough to share a few sentences. About Hillary Clinton’s email, Donald Trump, entitlements, economic development, transportation. The Iran deal was good.

“Keep us safe,” someone asked.

“Keep up the good work,” somebody else added.

Then, they were all gone.

7:02 now, and the congressman became a coach. The last call for boarding came over the intercom.

A man rushed up to the pedestrian bridge, half run, half jog.

“You’re going to make it!” Kilmer said.

Ten frantic footsteps behind, an older couple.

“You’re going to make it!” he said, adding after a pause, “Good luck.”

A Bainbridge minute later, a woman looking very rushed approached, her leashed dog on one side. She started to run.

“Dog’s slowing her down,” Kilmer said.

7:08.

A young man and woman turned the corner.

Kilmer introduced himself and asked, “Any issues on your mind?”

They smiled, but there was a ferry to catch. And then an Amtrak train in Seattle heading south.

Uh-oh. Sorry to say, they were told, but the ferry had sailed.

Wait, it’s not at 7:10?

No. Sails at 7:05.

“Would you like to change the ferry schedule?” Kilmer asked.

They laughed.

Their digest story emerged. Not constituents. First time in Washington, visiting from Cleveland, Ohio, to see an old high school friend. Have a train to catch at 9:35; heading to Oregon and California to check out colleges.

Kilmer the coach turned counselor; don’t worry, the next ferry is soon, and the young man agreed. It’ll be rushed, but they’ll get to the train station in time.

As promised, the boat soon arrived.

Kilmer and a few aides made their way to the passenger deck of the MV Wenatchee for a town hall of sorts on the 7:55 sailing. Someone from the ferry system announced it over the intercom, and a line had quickly formed through the galley and over to Kilmer’s table by the time the ferry started pulling away from the terminal.

He worked his way through a stack of business cards. Some familiar topics returned, such as transportation, immigration and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the free trade agreement that has many worried. Another ferry rider wanted to know about the flat tax that was talked about during last week’s debate between GOP presidential hopefuls.

“I think our current tax code has a lot of problems,” Kilmer acknowledged before adding that a flat tax would be regressive and the incomes of lower and middle income folks would be hurt most.

Several asked about money in politics, and the influence of the wealthy on democracy.

Kilmer the counselor returned.

“Keep the faith,” he said, again and again.

There were a few familiar faces in the shifting crowd. One fellow thanked Kilmer for his hospitality and taking time out to meet his family during a recent visit to Washington, D.C.

The congressman’s suggestion on where to eat [We, The Pizza] was great, the man added.

On the return trip to Bainbridge, the boat was nearly empty. Still, some made their way over to talk, including a few folks who were moving to Bainbridge in the months ahead. They had issues, too.

But, before you knew it, before one of his aides had finished a “questionable” egg sandwich from the ship’s galley, the ferry was pulling back into Bainbridge. Next stop, Pouslbo, and lunch with the chamber.

Kilmer, who is back in the 6th District for the rest of August, said he usually rides the Bainbridge route twice a year, but also rides the other runs as well: Bremerton, Kingston, Southworth.

Riding the ferry, visits to local businesses, Rotary lunches, telephone town halls — Kilmer is looking to make a connection.

“Democracy works best when people are engaged,” he said.