IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ACTION
Today, I’m sharing a blast from the past.
Watching all the congressional drama unfold this past week with the clown circus that is Capitol Hill, I’m reminded of living and working many years in Washington and reminiscing about how events like this were such a part of daily life.
I’ve had two significant career tracks in my life — politics and gambling. While they may seem very different, actually, they do share one very common attraction. That attraction is “action.”
The hunger to be in action is universal for those who seek it. It’s non-partisan. Republican. Democrat. Independent. Conservative. Moderate. Liberal. Even watching politics is a game as much as it’s theatre.
Being “in action” is intoxicating. It’s an impossible drug to break away from. Uncertain outcomes, the anticipation of winning, and just being in the game is a high. It’s hard to break away from being in the action, no matter if the game is poker, craps, campaigning, or serving in congress. It’s why gamblers play cards and roll dice until their last dying breath and why political leaders often refuse to retire and leave public life willingly.
The rush of the game never ends, until you leave it. Then, it’s gone.
A long time ago, I worked for a year in the Senate. This photo (above) was taken in the 1980s on the steps of the U.S. Capitol over on the congressional side. I think I was 24 at the time. On my right is Phil Crane (R-IL) and on my left is Daniel Crane (R-IN). They were brothers who served in the House of Representatives. Phil Crane even ran for president in 1980.
Yes, I do love the action. I do miss the action.