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Published Wednesday, September 03, 2008 in Opinion

Gov. Marvin Griffin could explain politics

DENVER -- When the Democratic National Convention convened here last week, I was not the least bit interested, and I won't become entrenched in front of any flat- screen television sets as the Republicans gather this week.

Watching the typical political attacks of today gives me indigestion. I came here for another reason, and was more interested in the Colorado landscape than what the B&B Democratic ticket has to offer.

The West has always had great appeal. I always enjoyed Cowboy movies. Since many of the early cowboys were black, I watched a campaigning Barack Obama, in a long-sleeved shirt without a tie, smooth and articulate, and wondered -- If elected would he be a cowboy? We have had one of those, haven't we?

Fortunately, I left town before the mudslinging peaked. When Joe Biden was first presented, he couldn't wait to inform us what a despot John McCain is. McCain said he considered Joe a friend, but before we go to the polls in November, he will have us thinking that Joe and Barack deserve time on a chain gang.

The best thing that could happen in politics would be to make politicians go back to the stump. No TV commercials, no TV coverage. We have heard from enough television analysts already; the Republicans are now gathering, and more than two months will have elapsed before we go to the polls. I like to be informed, but I think I'll boycott the news and watch ESPN the next 90 days.

Statesmanship seems to be out in today's political world. Couldn't they at least be colorful? Like Herman Talmadge and Marvin Griffin. The Longs of Louisiana. If we put 'em back on the stump and replace TV coverage with barbecue and ice tea (and a little moonshine in the bushes), we'd at least bring back colorful politicians.

On a spring afternoon in Bainbridge years ago following a Rotary Club meeting, Marvin Griffin explained how he got things done as governor. He schemed to pass a bill for education that called for raising taxes. He felt he could get away with tax increases on bright leaf tobacco, pickup truck tags, and another item that escapes memory. There didn't appear to be enough opposition within any category to thwart his plan. He took no chances, however, buttonholing every outspoken opponent.

A senator who had two sons working in state government loudly expressed his opposition to the bill. Marvin called him in for a conference.

"I can't go along with you this time, governor," the senator said emphatically. "My constituents want less taxes. They are for economizing in government."

In recalling the story, Marvin winked and said, "I knew I had him."

The governor immediately delivered this message to the senator.

"Well, you know I've been thinking. That oldest son of yours working in the Revenue Department, they tell me, he wouldn't hit a lick at a snake. We can start economizing right there. And that second son of yours with that cotton gin inspecting job -- well, that is the most nothing job there ever was in state government. That's another place to economize."

The senator said, "Governor, you wouldn't do that?"

Marvin replied, "The hell I won't."

When the roll call vote came up, the senator voted with the governor, which prompted his fellow senators to needle him, saying, "We thought you were opposed to this bill."

The senator retorted, "I was until I had it explained to me."

Politics will never change.