I've Always Had An Interest in Politics
I'm reflecting on my lifelong passion for politics amid a chaotic landscape in America.
I’m not hiding the fact that Solzy on Buttondown has gotten more political in recent months, especially after January 20. My life is impacted by recent anti-trans executive orders, that goes without saying. But for those of you who didn’t know me prior to my life as a film critic, I’ve had an interest in politics for well over two decades. Furthermore, I’ve always been an American history buff and it shows through my reading choices and itineraries while traveling.
It’s hard watching movies right now while knowing there is an active coup going on. The convicted felon in the office, together with his tech bro, are part of an active coup. He issued an executive order on Tuesday saying that only the executive branch can interpret the laws of executive orders. I’m sorry but this is the same BS that led Israelis to protest weekly in 2023! I don’t know how anyone is able to get any work accomplished right now! I can write about politics or American history better than film or TV right now and I’m supposed to be preparing to cover a film festival!
Officially speaking, I’ve had an interest in politics dating back to when Vice President Al Gore selected Sen. Joe Lieberman as his running mate in August 2000. But prior to that, I attended what was supposed to be something of a congressional debate between incumbent congressman Mike Ward and his Republican opponent, Anne Northup. Northup never showed so it turned into an opportunity to really get to talk with the congressman. This was back in 1996. Sadly, he was defeated. Sometime later, in high school, I met former congressman Romano Mazzoli. He was in office from 1971 until his retirement in 1995. I stayed in touch with him for a while.
When I was in high school, I wanted to be the first Jewish President of the United States. The plan was to run this past year, if you can believe it. Alas, I saw The Second City Tour Co. during welcome week at college and everything changed. All through college, my career interests were between politics and comedy with a bit of sports broadcasting thrown into the mix. Comedy won out but the political interest never went away. I can’t tell you how many presidential biographies that I own because I’ve honestly lost count. I loaded up on a number of them during the pandemic but those are in the bottom bin and let’s be honest, the weight of the books add up.
Back in 2004, I set up a political blog. At one point, I personally knew many of the statewide elected officials back home and others who held key positions in the legislature. But by 2012, I was starting to burn out. It’s tough keeping up a publication daily, especially one that you know elected officials and their advisors are reading. I still have a good amount of connections but it’s nothing like it was over a decade ago. I definitely don’t have the same kind of networking connections in Illinois—you can’t take the Kentuckian out of me.
There were some amazing days during this time, especially in 2004 and 2005. I transferred colleges in 2004, just in the nick of time for the fall 2004 election season. In 2005, I got to attend a reception while Sen. Evan Bayh was in town, prior to a press conference about the Military Bill of Rights.
A few months later, the Kentucky Democratic Party Family Day was held at party headquarters in 2005. I wasn’t quite observant as I am now so yes, I did attend some Saturday events, albeit with Jewish guilt. Aside from Gov. Brereton Jones, every living Democratic governor was attending the event—don’t worry, I later met Gov. Jones at the first of two Martin O’Malley fundraisers that I attended. Additionally, Max Cleland was attending as a VIP speaker.
Being a native Kentuckian, meeting Sen. Wendell Ford was the biggest highlight. First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974, Ford later became the Senate Democratic Whip in 1991 and held the position until his 1991 retirement. I met him again two more times, at the party fundraiser with then-Senator Joe Biden speaking in Northern Kentucky and in October 2010 for a Rally to Put Kentucky First in Frankfort.
Other highlights include the Fall Alumni Lecture in college, especially 2004. A pair of former senators, George McGovern and Bob Dole, spoke at the lecture that year. I got photos with both of them. They participated in two lectures, one for students and a larger one in the gymnasium. Being a member of College Dems at the time, I was also able to attend the VIP reception. They were speaking on the same night as the VP debate. Sen. Dole had a flight but Sen. McGovern stuck around to watch it at the student center. How often does one have the opportunity to watch a VP debate with a former presidential candidate?
Don’t think I haven’t tried my hand at writing a political sitcom because I definitely have. Maybe political comedies will be back in style soon, I don’t know. But in the meantime, we’ll see what today brings.