Political games

I went for a walk with a friend this afternoon and we talked about what it takes to be a successful politician. Does shaking hands really affect anything at all? Do face-to-face meetings change people’s minds? Do travels through your home town? Apparently they must, because why else would every candidate engage in this seemingly meaningless activity?

What we didn’t talk about was how easy it is to shoot crazy fire at a candidate for all the wrong reasons. I know. I learnt today.

Here’s my story. Let’s all learn and be angry together:

I had a wonderful, wonderful chat today with a chef who cooked for the Kerrys while they were in Wisconsin. He had nothing but high praise for their informality, their genuine interest in not only the food but the farmers who worked so hard to make it good. He was dazzled by their kindness. This was not politicking. They were in a one-on-one conversation with the chef. There were no expectations that they should be friendly. Quite the contrary, the chef was told that they hadn’t had time together for a while and were looking forward to a quiet evening, just the two of them, in their Spring Green condo.

The chef traveled willingly, prepared their food, bringing with him some bottles of wine to accompany it. They loved the food but thanked him for the wine. They hadn’t expected it and so they had arranged for a bottle to be sent over already. The chef, in telling me this, joked that these big shots probably travel with their own sommelier. I thought that was a funny idea: forget the personal secretary, forget the political advisor, instead – bring your own wine person!

And so I blogged about it. The chef had said that he feels shy about talking about this very real coup (to cook for a presidential candidate) but he didn’t mind if others bragged on his behalf – that was their business.

And so I bragged for him.

Within minutes, a post appeared on a blog (here). I respect the blogger greatly and think it is only coincidence that she has publicly explained her decision to vote for Bush. The title read (and still reads): “she travels with her own sommelier!” I immediately wrote to the poster and told her that this was quoting things out of context as the post was intended humorously. She did write this post update: “Nina emails that the chef was only joking. Think what you will, dear readers.”

Immediately, I had hundreds, hundreds of her readers (who are linked to her through the conservative Instapundit and the Republican Party website) jump to my blog, seeking anything, anything at all to poke holes in Kerry’s lifestyle. Inaccurate? Who cares! Out of context? So what! Ugly? YOU BET!

Neither I nor the linking blogger intended a political statement. But it has become that. Oh yes, I have now had emails from people asking for more details.

Let me just say this: If anyone, ANYONE dares twist this kind, warm-hearted, wonderful, wonderful event (of our local, exceptionally talented chef cooking for the Kerrys) into a political game, they have me to deal with. Tomorrow. On the front lawn of my house. With fists. I am that angry.

A hot scoop and a cold market morning

Scroll to your favorite topic:

1. What’s the difference between a September market and an October market?
2. A stream of self-congratulatory moments;
3. You heard it on Ocean first: insider information on Kerry
4. It’s Fall, dang it! Go bake an apple crisp!
5. Pumpkin pierogi

ad 1.
I was away from my Market foraging last week. What a change! First, at 6:30, when I make my first round with a list of potential purchases, it is now DARK and COLD! I remembered the scarf. I remembered the gloves. I could have used a nice wooly cap.

the baguettes are ready, but the cafe is not yet open for business when I get there on Saturdays 

ad 2.
So many farmers were flying high after the Wednesday NYT piece on the Market! Congratulatory messages were shouted out back and forth and the atmosphere was jubilant! If I never hear the words “wiry Polish-born” again I will be satisfied. I had a lifetime dose today. These farmers are careful readers.

ad 3.
Ahhhh, you want the scoop. Let me tell it as I heard it, in conversation with Tory, the Chef de Cuisine at L’Etoile. He joined me for one round at the Market and we chatted. I was eager to tell him that his recommendation of a favorite spot to eat in NY was fantastic! Perfect! (Blue Ribbon in SoHo. Try it.) But that’s not the scoop. He was eager to tell me about his week-end. [Why is it a scoop? Because Madison Magazine wants to do a story on it in the next issue. I scooped them!] Here’s how it went:

Tory: So, I wasn’t allowed to say this, but I got a call from Spring Green.
n: Spring Green… Spring Green?

Tory: Yep. Teresa was flying up to join John and they wanted a quiet dinner in their condo, just the two of them, on the Sunday before the debate. They wanted something really good and special and they asked if I would come up and cook it for them.
n: You cooked for John Kerry????? How was it? How were they? What did they eat? How was it????? [I don’t get into celebrity stuff, but this week, how can one not get excited about Kerry?]

Tory: First of all, it was embarrassing because they were late and so in waiting for them, I sort of sprawled out on their couch and was watching TV when they walked in. Then, I went to their kitchen which opened out onto their living room and I cooked. They were really interested in where the food came from, in the Farmers Market, in Jim [of Northwoods Farms]. .
n: What did you make for them?

Tory: Tenderloin (from Northwoods) – they like it “medium” and they were thrilled that it was so juicy, also the salad with mushrooms, and a chocolate Vesuvius.

n: I can’t believe you cooked for John Kerry! So, those worries about them not having places to eat in Spring Green were ill-founded?

Tory: Yeah. They asked me to cook for the staff on Tuesday but I couldn’t because of L’Etoile. So they called Lombardino’s.
n: This was your week, Tory. Amazing successes. Were your parents proud?

Tory: Sure, but they asked how come, in the Cap Times story, I sounded like I couldn’t put a sentence together.
n: Parents have the oddest reactions to things. Tell them that Apple didn’t write that article.

ad 4.
You heard it. Go bake a crisp. Plenty of recipes out there. And try Weston Orchard’s apples – they have a dozen varieties at the Market and you can sample all of them. It’s their apples that make L’Etoile’s crisp as good as it is.

many crates, many apples varieties, all from Weston Orchards 

ad 5.
I want to eat at L’Etoile on the day that Tory and Chef O put pumpkin pierogi on the menu. Tory had me pick up a couple of these, from Bee Charmer, so that he could experiment with the different varieties.

Pumpkins and a nod to Polish cuisine 

Thirty-second street pre-election diary*

thirty two days before the election: there IS only one way to go. No more twisted arrows, please! 

Ufff! Ten days ago I began the countdown. I thought it would be a creative challenge. It is, instead, exhausting, because it does not allow for a retreat from the political landscape. On the other hand, this is not a time to retreat, regardless of the temptation. If we are willing to put up yardsigns, shouldn’t we be willing to put up a daily blog reminder of how important this election is?

In surfing articles this morning, I was especially interested in reading those that tracked undecided voters. I don’t get this group at all and one always wants to probe and get closer to something that is a complete mystery. So how can voters still be undecided? What are they waiting for? These two candidates couldn’t be more different!

I pulled just one quote from one person in one Pennsylvania town who is still considering Kerry, but wants to basically hand it over to Bush (cited in WashPost). He states:

"Kerry seemed much better prepared, but if we have another war, maybe I want a cowboy in the president's office."

And so what are you going to do with a voter like that? What is he saying? Is it the brainless aggressor we want? A person who is good with the rope? A meat and potatoes man? And what is this about another war? Aren’t we at war now?

Quote of the day: (from the NYT: the president's chief political adviser, Karl Rove, who is normally elusive to the press, sought out reporters to push the campaign's argument that Mr. Kerry was a walking contradiction on Thursday night and that Mr. Bush was focused and pensive during the encounter, not peevish.)

"That wasn't irritated," Mr. Rove said. "I know irritated."

I bet he does.

(*see “forty-second street pre-election diary” post, September 22, for explanation of post title)

Never has one sentence in a newspaper generated so much calling and emailing

Actually, after a while it makes you feel rather pathetic. The world is saying “Wow! You got mentioned in the NYT (see post about it on September 29)! Great going!” but it is really telling you “Wow! Finally, mention of you somewhere, somewhere… It’s about time! Don’t you feel you’re wasting your life? You might as well hang up a sign saying ‘Don’t come knocking: I don’t do anything important ever. This is as big as it gets.’”

Today, my Berkeley mother finally reached me by phone. Excerpts from our conversation:

Mom: So, all my friends have been reading all about you! Wiry Polish-born law prof! You know, when I saw that, I thought – ‘wiry,’ is that an insult? Are you maybe a bit sharp and ornery?

nc: Mom, I took it as a compliment. You know: young and agile!

Mom: Well that’s what my friends told me: she’s probably thin and healthy.

nc: [My Mom’s friends are from the senior center where she lives] If your friends think I am more agile than them, I *guess* I should be pleased…

Mom: My old friend from NY called me to tell me she read the piece. You remember, she’s friends with (so-and-so) who had a son just your age. Did I tell you he died of a heart attack? No sign, no symptom, nothing!

nc: Thanks for that cheerful update. Anyway, I’m glad you liked the story.

Mom: You’re famous! I bought five copies of the paper! [Do I detect a rare moment of exuberance and pride?] What do you suppose I should do with them, by the way?

nc: Uh, I don’t know Mom. Send them to my father [He lives in Poland and they don’t communicate].

I know this will generate weird links, but…

Thanks to the reader who brought to my attention an article in today’s Guardian. The title of the article says it all: Orgies are the way to ease social tensions, claims US judge. Which judge and in what context? Read on:

Challenged about his views on sexual morality, Justice Scalia surprised his audience at Harvard University, telling them: "I even take the position that sexual orgies eliminate social tensions and ought to be encouraged."

Now, I am mindful of the fact that Bush promised, if reelected, to appoint more judges like Scalia. Gentlemen, are we allowing our fantasy life to interfere with good decision-making?

Thirty-third street pre-election diary*

33rd is looking bright and chipper this morning 

Thirty three days until the election and I see hope. The CNN polls are holding steady. Americans are not duped by a smirking man of few words and even fewer, disgracefully shabby, ideas on foreign policy. Lines like “my friend Vladimir” and “we were attacked by the enemy” fell flat, as well they should. Both in style and in substance, only a staunch Bush supporter would say that the incumbent presented a compelling case for a continuation of a shamefully misguided foreign policy, one that liberally uses such terms as freedom and democracy, while news clips tell a different story – in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Russia, in Darfur.

Here, consider this snapshot from thirty-third street: two faces, one showing determination and clear thinking, one falling apart from shame and disgrace. After the debate, I am exalted to see that most have placed the correct name card in front of each figurehead.


(*see “forty-second street pre-election diary” post, September 22, for explanation of post title)

which one will you vote for? 

Conspiracy theory

I’m sure of it. This could not be a coincidence. Both the internet (notice the small “i” under the new Wireless guidelines of not capitalizing either the internet or the web) and the cable TV suffered a mechanical failure the night of the debate. In the swing-state of Wisconsin no less. Tell me that you believe it to be unintentional, that the CEO of Charter was not twisting the wires somewhere behind the scenes.

You are blogging now. How could you be blogging with an internet breakdown?
The internet was restored, cable TV is still down.

So you missed the debate? A shame…
Oh no, I watched the debate. I had another non-cable TV, one of those ancient miniscule sets, but it was enough. I saw it all. Kerry clearly "won."

Whoaaaa! How can you say that? Don’t you want to know what others concluded? Didn’t you watch any of the post-election analysis?
That’s the trouble with these debates. Your opinion matters not a diddly swat. It’s all in the hands of the media analysts. America will decide on the wrong candidate based on the fact that some crackola after the debate will say that GW sounded in control or whatever.

Isn't it diddly squat?
Don’t skirt the issue. The issue is that immediately after the debate, a CNN poll indicated that 81% of those who watched the debate believed that Kerry “won.” One hour later, that number was down to 79% and plummeting. Now, either the Bush supporters are delayed CNN-readers, or we have people backing down because some jerko pundit offered her or his profoundly annoying observation on how Bush timed his smirks exactly right. Say what you will, I am with JF (here) and his mom in Iowa on this: Kerry did all that he could and he did it well. Anyone who thinks differently – meet me on the front lawn tomorrow at 6:45 a.m. and we’ll fight it out. That’s the proper way, isn’t it? All fists and no BILATERAL negotiations. EVER. Except with Vladimir. Who’s first-pal. And Kvahshnievskee – did I get that right? You know, the top honcho in Poland? The country that wont kick ass (JF terms) but will kiss ass (NC terms) with any current and future leader of this great land?

BTW, to the Polish Australian who linked to my post yesterday – yes, yes, I can agree to disagree, but COME ON! You’re not that down-under! See the light already!

Thirty-fourth street pre-election diary*

what does it say? 34th & eleventh avenue or eleventh hour? 

The great divide: if you follow thirty-fourth street from the Hudson River, beyond 11th avenue (does anyone ever step anywhere near 11th avenue? I saw not a soul), all the way east to the East River, you will see that indeed, there is nothing similar between the two ends of this important artery. (Note headline in today’s NYT: In Debate on Foreign Policy: Wide Gulf or Splitting Hairs?)

Thirty-fourth street: I come to it 34 days prior to November 2nd and on the day of the important debate on foreign policy.

Thirty-fourth street: so quintessentially American! The symbolism is amazing. On the Hudson River end I am facing the pier where ships, bringing immigrants from Europe, once docked. I came on one such ship way back, during my first crossing of the Atlantic in 1960. But look what has happened to the not-too-long-ago prominent United States Lines! Once a link to European nations, now a police outpost and depository for towed vehicles? Our connections to Europe are different now.

The day of the debate.