After two outlets I've written for passed on Leavitt, saying it would alienate their readers, I was excited she was to appear on Bill Maher's "Real Time" last night.
I had actually first seen the announcement on her Insta, teased as a sky shot of L.A. and then announced with the show line-up. I should have set my alarm, because naturally I fell asleep during NBC's "Newlyweds" (I had been excited to see the crackling chemistry between newly married Téa Leoni and Tim Daly). This meant waiting till it re-aired at 11:55.
When Leavitt came out, I thought she looked smart (as in tailored) in her black ensemble. I mused that very likely, Maher enjoyed having a female guest smaller than himself to interview. Then it happened: she charmed him. Or charmed him
again.
"People hate me for this, but I love the ballroom!" Maher said.
"Who doesn't love a ballroom?!" Leavitt enthused with that high-wattage, perfectly timed smile.
She said the president sent his regards and Maher trumpeted how exciting it was to be announced at the White House. He talked about how it had been improved. It was as if he hated roses or the press, because, like the blown-up East Wing before it, when Brainy Barbie talked about how the Briefing Room was formerly a pool, he didn't blanch.
Then Leavitt felt the need to explain that "while many who leave Washington claim it's for their families, I really do have two small children, so in my case it's true." Smile big. "And on November first, I start on Fox News."
"Aaah," Maher said stupidly. And when a Cornell-educated man says or does something stupid in the presence of a beautiful young woman...oh, never mind.
My question would have been, "If you say you left D.C. for your family (and in fairness, she has moved back to New Hampshire and will have a studio at her home), why is it you now have time for this job? And where are the kiddos while you're across the country now?"
Honestly, I do get it. There was some honey-colored Republican pundit on CNN yesterday and my thoughts weren't so skeptical as he spoke.
But that is the point. Be careful, America.
.....
Screen grab from
Leavitt's Insta
One of the problems with American politics is that by the time we arrive at the little 19th century canvas-tent-booth at the local high school gym, we are left with two choices. Sure, we could opt for that weird unknown candidate who promises not only free healthcare and tuition but breakfast with billionaires on alternate Saturdays. Most of us are sensible enough to vote for one of the two final choices, sometimes a third if an Independent such as Ross Perot has made a significant splash. What's eating me right now is we are pushing up to an election that is likely going to be the lesser of two evils. If Trump gets impeached, that could be interesting, and we would be left with Biden vs. Pence, another uncomfortable mental jump in my opinion. So let me spell out why Democrats must put their time and energy into promoting the right candidate right now: 1. Joe Biden has not said anything very interesting. Every time he leans on his "pal Barack" I squirm. I imagine Preside...

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