Redstate || Collaborative Republicanism for the Masses

Cheney , John J. Miller, and a D.C. taxi driver By: jannelsen · Section: Election 2004

Took a cab to the Trover Shop on Capitol Hill after work to buy John J. Miller's book about France's treachery.



Oh, the journalist celebrities and politicos abounded at this book fair sponsored by The Hill newspaper. (If you count Bill Press as a celebrity.)



But the taxi driver was by far more interesting. He loves Dick Cheney. Perhaps having been a political prisoner colored his views.

Print This Story

Posted On: Oct 6th, 2004: 18:37:38, Rated: 5.00/1



After chatting about the weather -- a beautiful fall evening -- the driver asked me if I had watched the debate last night. I allowed as I had, told him I was a Republican political appointee, and thought Cheney did great. Cheney had especially reignited optimism among loyalists, disappointed by Bush's debate performance.



He became enthusiastic, saying Cheney was clear, strong and experienced. He placed great emphasis on experience, recalling that back when he still lived in his homeland, Cheney was ....was....



I offered, Secretary of Defense under the first President Bush?



Yes, that's it!



I told him a little more about Cheney's history and then asked him what country he was from.



Ethiopia, of course, like so many other Washington, D.C. taxi drivers.



A biology teacher, he had spent three years in prison for opposing Mengistu Haile Mariam, the monster who oversaw the Red Dirge, the Communist tyranny that killed hundreds of thousands.



The cabbie proceeded to give me the history of Mengistu's rise to power -- Haile Selasse had sent him to Moscow for education -- described the purges and mass murders committed under Mengistu, and railed against his continued sanctuary in Zimbabwe.



The talk then turned to politics. The driver said he wasn't a Democrat or Republican, but he supported Bush, because America needs a strong leader in dangerous times (paraphrasing). But the real candidate should be Cheney, he said with conviction.



Well, lots of Republicans say that, I admitted.



Anyway, the conversation reminded me so much of the commentary from Eastern European leaders who lived through Cold War oppression and paid tribute to Reagan for helping end it.



To many victims of Communism -- the leaders and the common man -- freedom and Republicanism are inherently linked.



As they should be.



As for the book fair, what an odd scene. Trover is a small, two-story book store on Pennsylvania Avenue, and as noted, it was crowded with celebrity authors, politicians and journalists, mostly. Only thing it wasn't crowded with -- crowds.



Miller was sitting next to Cokie Roberts at a table, with no one waiting in line. I told Miller I was an obsessive Corner reader, and we chatted briefly about the Coors-Salazar race (he has a piece about Colorado in the latest National Review). I said Coors was going to fail, which I believe to be the unfortunate truth, Roberts agreed, contending Coors had a terrible campaign, and Miller expressed surprise.



No, there was not a personal bonding going on, but it was fun to have access to folks in a brief, informal setting. You can't push it, because you then look like a goof or a groupie. Which I am, but you don't want to look like one.



I did ask what the French version of "perfidious Albion" was. Miller said he'd think on it.



Then downstairs to Dennis Hastert, whose only crowd was his security detail. He was sitting next to Robert Byrd, who stood awaiting the adoring multitude of constitutional scholars, isolationists and people wanting to dedicate a building to him.



The multitudes did not manifest themselves.



Anyway, Hastert was quite pleasant, signed my book, and off we went, assiduously avoiding Bill Press and Eleanor Clift.



In the end, I'm glad I went. Not to see Miller or Hastert or Roberts. But to have had an opportunity to speak to a former political prisoner of Communist tyranny. Who reminded me why I'm a Republican.

< Back When He Made Sense (0 comments) | Edwards Not Ready For Prime Time (1 comments) >

Cheney , John J. Miller, and a D.C. taxi driver | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

perfect example By: still thinking

I am always amazed by the stereotypes that are foisted on Republicans. The one that most irritates me is that we are a bunch of zenophobes.



I was teaching an Ancient History class today, and one of my students, of Egyptian decent, but born in Riverside, California, spoke up about an experience he had last night. He was in the lobby of our local hospital (Grandpa was upstairs in ICU). He was watching the debates on the TV, and a typical group of people were watching it as well.



He is not exactly a shy young man, and very quickly he made his preference for GWB apparent. What followed was an exchange between he and several of the other viewers who first wanted to know his nationality, and when finding him to be from Egypt, then wanted to know how he could support the Republicans.



He said that it was pretty eye opening for him. He had never seen anything strange about the combination. Of course he doesn't realize that everyday at home he has witnessed the American Dream. His Dad started a business years ago, has worked hard, and prospered. When they left Egypt they did so at least partially to get away from religious persecution (they were Christians).



Most of us will never really understand the Dream the way his family does.



Thank you for relating your story. Especially the details of DC. I really need to check out that bookstore on my next vist. I take the 8th grade class there every year, and I have fallen in love with the city.



Comment Rated: (none / 0) (User Info) (#1)





Cheney , John J. Miller, and a D.C. taxi driver