Playing the Ponies
When I was a kid, my best friends Dad liked to go to the racetrack to bet. Sometimes he would take us to watch and place some surreptitious bets. Mostly, we just picked our horse and bet quarters with each other.
There were a number of people there that you would expect, cigar chomping men with racing forms and an intent look in their eye. They knew what each of these horses were capable of. They knew the track. They knew the jockeys. I suspect some of them really did well at synthesizing all of that information into their betting.
I never liked the sport enough to get into it like that, but I envy people that have taught themselves the ins and outs of the whole thing. They speak their own language, and get great pleasure out of the whole process. That is what it is like at legislative hall.
I hung out with some really plugged in people. They knew their sport, and it was politics. Mike Matthews had connections and knowledge that I stood in awe of. I certainly don’t want to emulate his style (it isn’t me) but I want to know what Mike knows.
John Flaherty was there and that man knows where the bodies are buried. He has a grasp on the players, issues and pressure points. He is also extremely kind, patient and happy to assist a newbie. There are few in Dover that garner more respect.
I also ran into new people like Mark Brunswick of APRI and our favorite blogger turned communication director, Mat Marshall. I imagine that if we lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Maryland the ability to integrate into this environment would be a lifetime endeavor. In Delaware, you really get the feeling that an activist or lobbyist can really have a chance at mastering this scene.
For me, it was like going to the races as a kid. The exception is that I can really get into this sport. And I have some really good coaches that are interested in helping me decide when the track is fast and which jockeys know when and how to use the whip.
Hey Jason,
Glad you enjoyed your initiation into the workings of the last days of the Delaware General Assembly.
John Flaherty and Mark Brunswick are two people who truly serve the greater interest and not their own & are good people to work with. In an arena with a lot of egos they are approachable and willing to share information, a commodity sometimes hoarded in an environment like that.
One great thing about politics is that unlike, physical sports where shelflife is short (unless you are Jamie Moyer or George Blanda), politics can be a lifelong endeavor.
John Tobin
I know what you mean about Matthew’s awesome connections. A year ago, I kept getting emails through the DWA blog that were obviously meant for Mike from some guy named ‘Obama’ that I ignored as some kind of joke. I mean, who the hell would use a name like Obama?
Mike has earned his reputation by putting in the hours. He was at Jack Markell’s event last night and he turns up everywhere. We don’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues but I gotta admire his dedication.
Frodo,
Don’t wear the ring!
I feel more like I’m in Kung-Fu, than LoTR.
What a marvelous post… newbiegeek!
Nice post, Geek. It was very well-written. I could just see you and your friend at the racetrack. I’ve always thought that a good writer could make you feel like you were a part of the scenery.