By John Y. Brown III, on Mon Aug 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
The first thing I thought of when I Googled news of Paul Ryan being Mitt Romney’s choice for VP was “He looks like Romney’s Mini Me.” I thought I’d start off my post with this observation but decided to Google “Paul Ryan and Mini Me” to make sure no one else had used it already. Apparently, Mitt Romney had. Reportedly, Mitt when informing Ryan of his choice said, “Mini Me, you complete me.” Which is an even funnier than what I was going to say using the Mini Me line. So, I’ll just leave it at that. I can’t improve on Mitt’s own words. Just read them and pretend like Mitt was joking. Hilarious!!
Things like that seem to happen to Mitt a lot. He intends for things to be taken one way, and they end up being taken the other, more obvious way. It’s an endearing quality because Mitt isn’t doing it as an act. It’s sweet. It humanizes him. Really.
I suspect with his VP choice Mitt was trying to emulate the most successful VP pick in modern presidential campaigns: Bill Clinton’s choice of Al Gore. It was a surprising and bold move –and like Mitt done by a challenger running against an incumbent president. It created momentum because it reinforced Clinton’s personal brand (DLC democrat) and “just worked” despite politically logical reasons to go a different way. Clinton, of course, didn’t say to Al, “Mini Me, you complete me.” And the pair went on to win the presidency and vice-presidency and govern for 8 years.
I think Mitt was trying for this same formula but, again, shanked it. Sure, Ryan is similar to Romney but not in a way that creates electoral dynamism. He comes off more like Mitt’s younger brother who majored in economics instead of finance as opposed to a fun and synergistic compliment to Mitt. But there are those who could have fit that bill. In my opinion the obvious selection for Mitt’s VP who could have provided the same electoral dynamism we saw in 1996, is obvious. Bill Paxton, star of HBO’s Big Love.
Paxton, like Romney, is an outsider and Mormon. He’s a very successful no-nonsense businessman whose small business expertise could temper Romney’s narrow business image as more of a financier than everyday American businessperson, like Paxton’s character. Paxton also has cross-over appeal to democrats—both male and female. When polled, democratic males 18-85 answered “D” by an overwhelming majority to the question, “Which one of Bill Paxton’s wive’s is the hottest? A) Barb, B) Nicki, C) Margi or D) All of them? And another overwhelming majority of democratic males answered “yes,” to the follow up poll question, “If a republican vice presidential candidate could juggle three hotties and still pay all the bills, would you be more likely to vote for that ticket?”
Conversely, female voters from both parties polled about Paxton scored him high on “security issues,” “pro-life,” “immigration,” “family values” and “ideal second husband” (interestingly, polling data showed the fact he’d have to be shared with three other women can be a plus for a second husband). And both male and female voters from both parties felt Paxton’s ability to maneuver the temperamental ingénue Margi was a good indication he could work with House of Representatives. A similar percentage believed having managed to keep the attractive but matronly Barb happy all these years showed Paxton could deal adeptly with Sen Mitch McConnell’s dryly sensible and scolding leadership style. And the fact that Paxton seemed to keep Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) happy as a sister-wife had no political significance according the polling, but almost all polled considered it “friggin’ amazing.”
Other pluses of a Paxton choice for veep is that he has a casual yet connected air about him to contrast with what some consider Romney’s uptight remoteness. Everyone knows Utah (where Big Love is set) is the country’s most conservative state. So Paxton could simultaneously burnish Romney’s conservative bona fides while also eating into democrats Hollywood’s fundraising edge.
Of course, polygamy has been outlawed by the Morman faith and it’s supposed to be politically incorrect (even taboo) to ever mention it was part of the Mormon faith tradition. But in this context it is a clear political plus. I mean, c’mom, let’s be serious. Does anyone believe Joe Biden is suave enough to handle 3 wives?! In the upcoming Centre College debate, Paxton wouldn’t even have to be very knowledgeable about policy. He could merely try to convince voters that Mitt Romney really is a lot like his character in Big Love and it would be a blowout of Biden. An ad running before the debate with each of the sister-wives starting into the camera saying, “Joe Biden, I know Bill Hendrickson (Paxton’s character in Big Love), Bill Hendrickson is a husband of mine. Mr Biden, you are no Bill Hendrickson” would be a potential knock-out punch. A republican Lloyd Bentsen moment on steroids –and Viagra. Even better it would benefit the presidential candidate, Romney, even more than the vice-presidential candidate.
And here’s the beauty part. Romney, when notifying Paxton of his choice could still have said, “Mini Me, you complete me.” And Paxton is so cool that everyone would have taken it as a hilarious insider Hollywood joke. Romney would have realized that he stumbled into a brilliant comment that was genuinely funny. And started laughing himself at how inadvertently hysterical he was. And if all that happened standing on stage next to Bill Paxton, it would have been Mitt Romney’s finest, funnest and most human moment in the campaign. And in an odd way, would have perhaps been Mitt’s most “presidential” moment of the campaign yet.
Heck, even conservatives would have to admit they kinda liked Romney on that night.
By Jimmy Dahroug, on Mon Aug 13, 2012 at 10:30 AM ET
As a fan of Christopher Guest Movies, I was pretty pleased.
I always thought Mitt Romney resembled Fred Willard.
Paul Ryan looks a bit like John Michael Higgins, another Christopher Guest Alum.
Sure, I kind of see Jake Gyllenhaal, or the guy who plays Gabe on The Office.
Just watch Best in Show or A Mighty Wind – then we can have a real debate!
As a strategist, I was pretty shocked.
Paul Ryan was one of the last people I thought Romney would choose. In my mind, it really came down to Portman and Rubio.
I think Romney already had the base on board (due in part to the Supreme Court ruling) – and Portman or Rubio (among others) could have helped pleased the conservative as well as helped in other ways and without exposing Romney to such risk.
In terms of substance, I’m not even sure Romney shares that much in common with Paul Ryan. While both would like to call themselves fiscal conservatives – Romney can be considered pragmatic, and his risks are calculated. That’s just not Paul Ryan.
From what I can see, Ryan poses such unnecessary risk. There may be some critical information we’re just not privy to – even intangibles like chemistry, rapport… Those qualities do matter.
Still – this is a big risk for Romney.
As a Democrat, I hope the Obama team does not underestimate Paul Ryan.
1. Due in part to economic uncertainty, voters took a chance on Obama in 2008. Although Obama can argue the Country would have been worse off without his actions in office, voters are still feeling a challenging economy. They may be willing to take a risk with Ryan when they wouldn’t at any other time.
2. Paul Ryan, himself, is prepared and effective. He simply should not be underestimated.
No matter how confident the Obama team is in the substance of its arguments against Paul Ryan, they cannot take him lightly.
Ryan is not the caricature fire-breathing conservative that is supposed to scare kids and small animals. He won’t raise his voice like Chris Christie. Paul Ryan will listen and he will calmly and respectfully respond.
Saying Paul Ryan does his homework is an understatement. Agree with Ryan or not, he knows the details and the big picture. He’ll anticipate every argument Democrats can make and he’ll be prepared to respond. The Obama team needs to be just as prepared.
In 1980, the Carter campaign painted Reagan as a dangerous extremist. What the American people saw was a pleasant man who didn’t seem at all like the monster they had come to expect.
To be clear, I do not believe Paul Ryan is the political athlete Ronald Reagan was. But let’s not give him the opportunity to appear anywhere close to it.
3. Finally – It is not in Mitt Romney’s nature to make erratic decisions. Although I don’t quite understand this pick, Romney is too methodical to make a choice like this without gaming out all the options and consequences.
Surely he thoroughly considered that Democrats would pounce on Ryan over medicare. Could it be that Romney would rather have the scrutiny on his Veep pick so that it takes the target off of him and Bain? The idea being that Democrats make Ryan their target (the Veep spot has always been obscure to voters), and the target is no longer Romney and Bain?
It’s a theory I haven’t fully explored it – but Ryan/Medicare seems to have already left Romney/Bain in the dust, and I don’t see that changing very soon.
By John Y. Brown III, on Fri Aug 10, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
His Brain; Her Brain: How we are different
I bought this thick “Collector’s Edition” at the airport. As we boarded the plane my wife smiled and pointed to her carry-on bag. She had bought it too.
But here’s the difference. I suspect she bought the magazine to try to understand differences that can be applicable in our home. I bought the magazine to find out how better to defend myself and negotiate with my wife to more often get what I want.
So, even though men and women have similarities…the motives and methods are usually distinctly different.
Anyway, I think this example tells the tale. And saved me from reading 112 pages. Because now I can let my wife read it and just explain it to me.
By John Y. Brown III, on Thu Aug 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
Dear Olympics,
A modest proposal.
In the future, if you want to pull in a bigger and broader audience and gin up some fun and dazzling sports competition, please have fewer athletic events that seem selected by a prep school athletic director and more sporting events drawn from popular street ball pick up games.
By Jonathan Miller, on Wed Aug 8, 2012 at 4:00 PM ET
If you’ve been watching the Olympics…
OK if you have a pulse and electricity in your home…
You’ve undoutbedly seen a promo of the much anticipated NBC series, “Go On,” starring Friends’ alum Matthew Perry as a sports radio talk show host who has recently been widowed.
If you are not already hooked, here’s another reason to watch: My cousin, Allison Miller, plays Perry’s assistant on the show. Allison, (at left, and at the far left in the picture to the right) has previously starred in Terra Nova and Kings, but this might be her breakout moment. So don’t you dare miss it.
So, stay up after the Olympics tonight (or if you are old like me, don’t forget to program your DVR). A star will be born! Or at least, I guarantee many laughs.
By John Y. Brown III, on Wed Aug 8, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
A fancy story. About Kentucky politics.
In Kentucky we still have the medieval practice of Trial by Ordeal for our politicians. And it’s a great amount of fun for spectators. If you want to take your place among Kentucky’s statewide and congressional officeholders you must first survive Fancy Farm. Part stump speaking; part right of passage.
To borrow from Frank Sinatra, “If you can make it there (Fancy Farm), you can make it anywhere.”
It is the Southern political equivalent of an actor making it through his or her first Broadway show. You have been initiated and are now part of an elite club. You have what it takes…and the courage to put it all that on the line. And you survived. This time. And for a while you have the respect of others.
I remember preparing for my second Fancy Farm speech. I was in deep West KY outside our Super 8 hotel. I was sitting alone on the curb scanning the local newspapers for local tidbits to pepper my speech with while others ate breakfast inside. I overheard two people talking about me admiringly. Two people I had come to know well.
“Look at him. He’s something isn’t he? He’s reading those papers and putting his speech together in his head right now. I don’t know how he does it.”
And yet just a few days earlier I heard these same two people talking about me in a very different way. “You know you can’t rely on him. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. If you want something done, don’t expect him to do it.”
It was my wife and mother-in-law talking about me.
But Fancy Farm changed all that. Suddenly I went from failure on the home front to being a hero—one of only a few who would take the Fancy Farm platform later that day. And they were related to me. It made them proud. It made me feel special.
And grateful, for this one day each year, I wouldn’t be expected to run any errands or be judged on the same scale as ordinary mortals. Which was never my strong suit anyway.
Today, we proudly present a new feature at The Recovering Politician. Jeff Smith, one of our most popular contributing RPs will be answering YOUR political advice questions here and at City & State, a very popular Web site that focuses on New York politics.
My name is Jeff Smith, and I’m a recovering politician. Oh, I still love politics, and I follow it as closely as ever. But I no longer have a political future; the U.S. Attorney in Missouri’s Eastern District saw to that.
After a 2004 congressional bid in which, as a 29-year-old nobody, I lost narrowly to the scion of Missouri’s leading political dynasty, I figured I was done with politics. But thanks largely to a documentary film about our first campaign I got sucked back in, winning a State Senate seat two years later. I adored the Senate—loved crafting policy, loved helping people, loved the camaraderie with my colleagues.
Then, through an uncanny series of events involving a lie, a car bombing (in which I had no part) and my best friend’s wiretap, I spent 2010 in federal prison.
Along the way I learned about politics, policymaking and people; about friendship, temptation and betrayal. Mine is a hard-won perspective, but one I’m honored to have the opportunity to share with City & State’s readers.
One of the hardest things in politics is knowing whom to trust. That makes discretion critical, since asking a friend for advice can be akin to calling a press conference and broadcasting it.
This column aspires to be the confidant you can trust for an unvarnished opinion: a “Dear Abby” for politicos, if you will. I look forward to answering questions about all things political, and helping readers gain their wisdom more easily (and anonymously) than I did.
I’m running for office, and though I have some volunteers, most come in once, then disappear. I asked my campaign manager why and he said they were all flaky. Do you have any advice?
S.E., Webster Groves, Mo.
Dear S.E.:
First, fire your manager; he sounds flaky. Second, sit down with volunteers when they come in. Ask them why they’re volunteering and what their dream campaign job is. Then—unless their answer involves holding a press conference or sleeping with the candidate—give them a chance to do it. They may have to hit 100 doors before they get to draft a press release, design a mail piece or storyboard a TV ad, but they’ll have a reason other than cold pizza to stay engaged.
Finally, the heart of the problem: Your campaign is no fun. Make your campaign a social event. You’re the candidate; you set the tone. If you’re having fun, they will too—and you’ll attract more fun people. I used to bet my interns/volunteers on anything: One-on-one basketball, who could recruit more supporters while canvassing, which one of them could get somebody’s digits at an event. It’s possible to have a blast and be deadly serious about getting votes at the same time.
I’m a legislator who screwed up. I promised a school superintendent in my district that I’d vote against new charter schools, then told the charter-school advocates that I’d support their bill, which would allow for charter-school expansion. If I seek higher office, the public-school types and teachers’ union could get me primary votes, but the charter-school lobby donates pretty heavy. What should I do?
W.C., St. Louis
Dear W.C.:
In the future, only make promises you can keep. But since it’s too late this time, here’s what you should do. Since you appear to be agnostic about which is the best policy, call some informed constituents without a stake in the matter to feel them out. If there’s any consensus, vote that way. Then, if you must break your word, you have the one semi-acceptable excuse: “I’m sorry. I heard from my constituents and thought hard, and I decided to vote ‘No.’ This was a good lesson; next time I won’t give my word until I understand the issue better.” And tell them well before the vote so they don’t count you as a “Yes.”
Last, before running for higher office, get your views straight so you’re never again making policy calls based purely on personal political considerations. It screams “hack,” and it’s why people distrust pols.
I’m an elected official who recently found out that my female chief of staff had sex with three male interns. I’m not sure whether to talk to her or high-five them—she’s pretty hot. But seriously, should I say anything to her?
D.A., Miami
Dear D.A.:
If your male chief of staff had banged your last three female interns, would you say anything to him? (Hint: Any answer that includes the phrase “high-five” is incorrect.)
Read the rest of… Jeff Smith: Do as I Say — A Political Advice Column
By John Y. Brown III, on Tue Aug 7, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
About 16 months ago I agreed reluctantly to write a weekly column for the new Recovering Politician blog. I believed in the idea and wanted to support my friend Jonathan Miller’s efforts.
Personally, my hope was to write 4 or 5 obligatory columns and then start coming up with excuses for why I couldn’t continue and then just slip off his radar.
But that didn’t happen. I started making up excuses for why I couldn’t continue after my first and only column. I enjoyed writing the column but I didn’t want to be under a deadline, didn’t have the time to devote to a regular lengthy columns, and didn’t want to write about politics.
Jonathan then came up with a compromise. He said, “Don’t feel obligated to write anything. Don’t write about politics and make it informal and conversational —like when you write something on Facebook. (I had just gotten in the habit of posting random thoughts on Facebook.)
Jonathan went on, “But when you do feel the desire to write, post it on Facebook and if it is something that can work on the blog, I’ll post it.”
I was stuck. There was nothing to say “no” to. So I mumbled that it sounded like a good idea. And it was.
This my 200th post for The Recovering Politician. About 199 more than I thought I had time for under the original plan.
So, thanks Jonathan for the opportunity to write for your blog. Thanks also for the encouraging nudge. And thanks to all of my Facebook friends for putting up with my fits of conversational prose, impulsive observations, quirky insights and a dozen other kinds of random, mundane and fleeting thoughts.
Here’s the original piece for the RP that–in truth–I tried to come up with an excuse not to write before I finished it. But somehow got it done. And am glad I did.
By John Y. Brown III, on Mon Aug 6, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
New York Notebook.
A Kentucky family spends a few days in the Big Apple just before their college-bound son leaves for his freshman year. There is a parental sense of obligation to expose him at least once to the big city before leaving the nest. There is no real itinerary. Just a last minute plan to get to NY, see the city, and return safely home. And hopes that the entire family feels that they can “Make it there.” Because, as the song says, if you can do that, “You can make it anywhere.”
And I gotta admit I really do Iike that song. Even if I haven’t cared a great deal for New York. But I’m keeping an open mind and trying to see the city with fresh eyes and try to make sense of it. With the occasional post for The Recovering Politician blog.
I am in New York City and amazed at how little difference there is between here and back home in Kentucky.
Here’s a picture from the subway.
It’s just like Walmart except underground an not as well organized in different sections.
Oh yeah. And a subway.
= = =
More on NY. Well….they have the iPhone here too. Shoot! Hoping we’d have them on that one.
Based in conversations so far most everyone is working only part-time or in a temporary job. And most everyone is really a full-time actor, actress or model. And a solid number of can drivers.
Pretty limited economy, if you ask me.
= = =
My college bound boy apparently closing a business deal before a power lunch in the city. With his sister. —
Yesterday I was having trouble with a mobile device and went to the Verizon store to see if they would exchange it.
There was a pleasant looking Egyptian gentleman behind me who listened as I explained my situation. The store clerk politely said I couldn’t exchange it. I thanked him and left. Two blocks later I hear a “Sir. Excuse me, sir!” It was the Egyptian man from the store.
“I overheard you and was wondering if you’d like to sell to me.”
“Well, I don’t know. Really?” I gave him a price that was more than I expected.”
He countered just slightly lower and I said OK.
He paid me cash and I introduced myself. He said, his name was Mohammad (or “Mo”) and that he was head waiter at The Palm restaurant down the street and we should try it out. He told me about his son in Egypt (who the device was for) and said he thought it was a fair deal. I agreed and we shook hands and parted ways.
Later in the day I called The Palm and made a reservation for dinner. It’s an historic restaurant with a long and colorful history that is obvious from the walls which are covered with pictures, drawings and news clippings from the past.
We were seated and I surprised my family by asking if Mo was working that night.
The maitre d smiled broadly and said he would let Mo know I had arrived. A few minutes later we were warmly greeted like old friends and long time patrons.
My family was impressed.
I offered slyly, “What can I say? I know some people who know some people…..and, yes, Mo is a friend.”
It was a nice dinner. A good deal. And we all thanked Mo as we left and a great family dinner came to an end.
= = =
Two Kentucky beauties in the Big Apple. Holding their own. And then some.
I learned about “Truth is” from my daughter’s Facebook page. I’m gonna try it.
Truth is New York used to intimidate me.
Truth is I found a hotel and made reservations and picked out a restaurant tonight for the family.
Truth is I walked the streets of the city today and no one seemed able to notice I was trying hard not to be noticed by standing out like a tourist. Which means I basically fit in.
Truth is I’m feeling pretty grown up right now.
Truth is at 49 I still consider that a small but worthy victory.
====
NY City will toughen you up in short order. The hustle bustle and proud dog eat dog competitive spirit is not for the faint hearted.
Just now I ordered coffee at a crowded cafe. It was really hot but I didn’t dare ask for a sleeve for my cup. I just put in the cream and sugar and slyly placed a napkin in my pocket until I was outside and a block away.
Wish I’d gotten two napkins.
Read the rest of… John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Musings from NYC
I think Mitt was trying for this same formula but, again, shanked it. Sure, Ryan is similar to Romney but not in a way that creates electoral dynamism. He comes off more like Mitt’s younger brother who majored in economics instead of finance as opposed to a fun and synergistic compliment to Mitt. But there are those who could have fit that bill. In my opinion the obvious selection for Mitt’s VP who could have provided the same electoral dynamism we saw in 1996, is obvious. Bill Paxton, star of HBO’s Big Love.
