Mar 29Remembering David Mercer…I was alone that night back in early 2019, seated at the Cafe Milano bar in Georgetown. It was the favorite hangout of my longtime high school friend and Democratic mover and shaker, David Mercer. I thought it was cool Milano served a special martini named after him — even…Washington DC6 min readWashington DC6 min read
Dec 23, 2021A Few Thoughts About Wayne Slater…When I first learned former Dallas Morning News political writer Wayne Slater died in a fatal car accident several days ago, my mind basically shut down for several hours to contemplate this horrific Christmas holiday tragedy. …Wayne Slater5 min readWayne Slater5 min read
Aug 30, 2021Observations About Politico’s New Michael Caputo Profile…and Spending Time at HHS in 2020 Amid the COVID Outbreak In animating, descriptive fashion, Politico writer Michael Kruse’s new profile of pro-Trump GOP operative Michael Caputo vividly captures the many colorful, complex facets of the Buffalo, NY native’s personality and background as he continues to recover from the life-threatening…Health And Human Services5 min readHealth And Human Services5 min read
Jul 18, 2021Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN’): A Fifty-Year-Old Breath of Fresh AirDerek and the Dominos’ iconic 1970 album, “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” — the seminal Eric Clapton masterpiece — was released over fifty years ago.Tedeschi Trucks Band5 min readTedeschi Trucks Band5 min read
Jun 3, 2021When to Avoid a New Consulting GigLining up a new client whose business you find intellectually engaging, interesting and enjoyable is a great thing — especially when you’re effective, and making a discernible, demonstrative, positive impact on day to day operations. In effect, you’re getting paid to have fun. You can’t beat that. But simply accepting…Careers2 min readCareers2 min read
May 12, 2021Pete du Pont’s 1988 Presidential Campaign: A Twentysomething Career PerspectiveFormer Delaware Governor Pete du Pont’s passing several days ago made me reflect on two entirely separate matters: First, the quality of the man as I experienced it first-hand working on his 1988 presidential campaign as his New Hampshire press secretary. As a transient staffer — one of hundreds who’d…Politics7 min readPolitics7 min read
May 7, 2021Biden’s Sweeping Progressive Agenda Forcing Harris to RecalibrateLong content to work only on political campaigns, nothing turns me off more these days than mindless partisan talking points, ideological bloviating and gratuitously trashing elected officials. I’ll also preface the following observations about Vice-President Kamala Harris by stating I believe she and Joe Biden are our legitimately-elected leaders. That…Kamala Harris5 min readKamala Harris5 min read
Oct 18, 2017The Sin of Omission and Lack of Specificity in Writing CreditsA talented younger friend attempting to make a transition from campaign communications consultant to building a full-time business as an executive communications consultant called the other day seeking advice. He had been “layered over” on a major CEO speech project by another writer considered to be a “better fit,” he…Politics4 min readPolitics4 min read
Feb 22, 2017Data “Driven” vs. Data “Informed” Messaging — Hillary Had an Algorithm But No MessageIt’s already been said: “Hillary Clinton’s campaign had an algorithm, but no message.” So when a Politico Magazine analysis piece by long-time Democratic messaging and direct mail expert David Gold appeared earlier this month, I took notice. After he helped eviscerate a gubernatorial candidate for whom I served as press…Politics3 min readPolitics3 min read
Dec 26, 2016Gordon Hensley’s 1996–2023 Bob Weir Show ListEditing note: continually updated Similar in process but easier to reconstruct than my 1977–1995 Grateful Dead show list, the following is a list of my Bob Weir w/RatDog, Dead and Company, and now Weir/Wolf Brothers w/ Wolfpack shows. They collectively constitute about 80% of my post-Grateful Dead live show experiences. …Music8 min readMusic8 min read
