 |
Balancing act Still Loyal to Old What's-His-NameBy Rick Horowitz Dear Mr. President: Our convention is right around the corner, and Tipper and I are so excited about having you and Hillary be a part of it. We know how busy you've both been lately, and we're grateful for your willingness to play even a small role in our wonderful celebration. So I wanted to take a few moments here to update you on some convention-week logistics, and to offer a few modest suggestions which I hope you'll find helpful as you get ready to "pass the torch" to me in Michigan on Tuesday. The first thing you'll probably notice, as you travel around L.A. to your various fundraisers, is all the billboards welcoming the delegates: They'll mostly have my name on them, or sometimes my name and Joe Lieberman's. (And isn't he a great choice?) There was certainly no intention to exclude you, but you know how hard it is to get billboard space in Los Angeles. Before we realized it, all the good spots were filled with Gore/Lieberman signs, but you'll certainly be there in spirit. As I told Tipper just the other day, "You can't have 'billboard' without 'Bill.'" Hah, hah! Speaking of those fundraisers of yours: No hard feelings -- despite what you may have read. I know you simply want to make the most productive use of every single day you'll be spending in California, and what better opportunity to raise money for Hillary's campaign and for your library than during the run-up to my convention! I certainly don't look at it as hogging the spotlight (send my regards to Barbra and Cher and Goldie and Whoopi), and I'm sure you'll leave a few pennies out there for me and Joe to collect. Hah, hah. And speaking of Joe: You may have heard about some of his remarks when I introduced him as my running mate the other day, particularly the part where he said that I had never wavered in my responsibilities as a father and as a husband. I'm sure that in saying those nice things about me, Joe wasn't trying to draw any kind of contrast with anyone else. He just wanted the voters to know me a little better as a person before you "pass the torch" to me in Michigan on Tuesday. Before you join me in Michigan, of course, you'll be making that opening-night speech to the convention. (And so, needless to say, will your lovely bride.) I know the delegates will cheer what you say to them, no matter what it is! But I know you'll want your message to have a positive impact on voters all across the country, and not just loyal Democrats, but also independents and swing voters. I'll never forget the many long hours you and I worked together to make sure that America would enjoy the greatest economic boom in our nation's history. I'm sure you remember it the same way I do, and I hope you won't forget to share that memory with all those voters tuning in. On the other hand, I don't recall even meeting any White House interns, especially any female interns. If you wanted to mention that somewhere in your speech, or even when you "pass the torch," that would be fine, too. I know there's been a lot of talk about whether you'll use your speech to "absolve" me of any responsibility for your personal shortcomings -- not that you necessarily have any personal shortcomings. I hear you've been reluctant to do that, but I'm confident that when the time comes on Monday night, you'll step up and do the right thing, just as I've done the right thing by you all these years. Mr. President, my admiration for you is more than I can possibly put into words, which is why I won't even try to put it into words during the convention, or even during the rest of the campaign. In fact, I may not mention your name again between now and Election Day. But you'll know. Your loyal partner, Al P.S. You will be "passing the torch," right? Posted
8/10/00. Rick puts it into words all during the campaign. Come back
soon -- and tell your neighbors!
|
  |
Rick Horowitz