And let’s not forget the turkey legs, the pork chops-on-a-stick and the life-sized cows made of butter. What the hell am I talking about? The Iowa State Fair of course. After frightening the American public we were tasked with a story about, how, with more than two years to go before the 2008 presidential election, those showing an interest in running were already trampling about the cowpies and hay needles (not to mention the woman on stilts) that help to make up this glorious annual event.
As it happens, Gov. Bill Richardson along with Sens. Brownback and Frist are all going to stop by while we’re there. Perfect.
Our first shoot is with Gov. Richardson. Bob knows him from his days in Washington. At the event we cover with Richardson he and Bob say hello to one another like they’ve been pals for years. Richardson is incredibly friendly and jovial. Bob brings him over to introduce us:
Bob: ‘This is my producer…”
Richardson: “Hi, hey he’s one of me!!”
Me: “Uh, hi governor. Nice to meet you.”
After his enthusiastic declaration that I too was Hispanic he proceeded to rub my head.
I had flashbacks to when I was six-years-old and and was coming off the soccer field after having done something well like kicking the ball in the right direction towards the other team’s goal.
Then Richardson said to me, “You’re fired!” You know, like Donald Trump does in the boardroom to the apprentice who is being kicked off the show.
I wasn’t offended by the head rubbing. I thought it incredibly amusing and am happy to see people in office with some character. But it did catch me off guard…
The rest of the shoot went really well, clearly.
And most importantly, Bob got to put the biggest bull, hog and yes, the buttered cow into the piece. The final line of the piece: “There’s no lipstick on this pig.”
I think that says it all.