John kNeely Knennedy: A Portrait in Principle

April 21st, 2008 Posted in Bio

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming unauthorized political biography of John Neely Kennedy.

Introduction: A Deli Lunch with Destiny

This Tuesday, when President George W. Bush and Senator David Vitter officially present John Neely Kennedy to the Louisiana GOP elite it will mark the culmination of a political transformation that was a lunchtime in the making.

Following in the footsteps of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, John Neely Kennedy’s love affair with modern conservatism dates back to the middle of last year, when he was treated to a deli lunch by the man who makes Liberals so angry they forget to recycle, Karl Rove.

Here, for the first time, is a partial transcript of that meeting

Waitress: What’ll it be?

Rove: What’s your soup?

Waitress: Gazpacho.

Rove: I don’t care for gazpacho. Bring me a cup of the chowder and a turkey sandwich. Extra mayo.

Waitress: Chips or potato salad.

Rove: Chips.

Waitress: And for you, sir?

Kennedy: I’ll have the roast beef. No. wait. turkey. Extra mayo.

Waitress: Chips or potato salad.

Kennedy: Potato salad. no. wait. chips.

Rove: Good man. I think we’re going to get along just fine.

(end of transcript)

Exactly what occurred after this exchange is not known, but what we do know is that Kennedy left that day with a new understanding of modern conservatism and how it was a perfect fit for a man of Kennedy’s principles, values and priorities.

Next Up: Part I: Who’s afraid of the Election Day Democrat