Taft 2012 - Jason Heller [41]
With that, Castro left them. Taft and Kowalczyk looked at each other, glanced at Phillip stuffing two enormous plastic bags full of Atomizer fare, and bolted toward the door.
Transcript, Raw Talk with Pauline Craig, broadcast Dec. 30, 2011
PAULINE CRAIG: Welcome back to Raw Talk with me, Pauline Craig. As you know, William Howard Taft recently appeared on our show, and we broke the story that day that everyday Americans have begun to rally around the former president and his traditional, rock-solid values—have even gone so far as to start a so-called Taft Party to promote those good, strong, heartland American ideals. Today, we’re going to start getting to know those enthusiastic Taft supporters. With me in the studio is Allen Holtz, a hardworking electrician from Richmond, Virginia. Hello, Allen!
ALLEN THE ELECTRICIAN: Pleased to meet you, Pauline.
PAULINE CRAIG: Let’s start by talking a little about you. What’s your story, Allen?
ALLEN THE ELECTRICIAN: Aw, I’m just your average, blue-collar, middle-class guy. I’ve worked as a journeyman electrician my whole life. I’ve voted Democrat, sometimes, and I’ve voted Republican. Ever since I was a kid, I always tried my best to figure out what the issues are, you know, what direction American ought to be going in, that sort of thing. But the older I got, the more confused I became.
PAULINE CRAIG: And how has this recession affected you? As an independent contractor, do you have access to health insurance? A retirement plan?
ALLEN THE ELECTRICIAN: Well, you know, Pauline, I haven’t had good health insurance for a bunch of years. Like I said, I’m a blue-collar guy just trying to get by. I managed to quit smoking on my own a few years ago, with the Fulsom GiveItUp Gum, so that’s something, even though I guess you can see it stains my teeth something awful and I can’t afford the dentist either.
PAULINE CRAIG: And that’s the kind of trade-off Americans have to make these days, isn’t it? You can have the healthy body or you can have the clean teeth, but God help you if you can’t afford to pay top dollar for both.
ALLEN THE ELECTRICIAN: Yeah, but you know, don’t feel sorry for me. I’m glad things weren’t easy for me in this life. Things aren’t supposed to be easy. You have to work, and you have to earn. But let me also say this: we’re all in this together. Do you know what I mean? Every American is my brother or my sister. I’m happy to do my part; I’m happy to pay my dues to my nation. And hey, if my neighbor is happy, if he’s doing better than I am, well, I’m glad somebody is. And that’s why Taft is my man. Taft has common damn sense, if I’m allowed to say that on TV. He’s not for anybody special; he’s for everybody. Like presidents used to be, before it all got so damn ugly.
PAULINE CRAIG: Allen, you’ve spent the past few weeks talking with your neighbors, your clients, your fellow Americans. What does the Taft Party have to offer?
ALLEN THE ELECTRICIAN: Well, Pauline, you know, I don’t think it’s any accident that William Howard Taft is back with us. I don’t want to start talking divine providence or anything, but is it a coincidence that he came back just as his great-granddaughter, uh, Rachel Taft, started making waves in the government?
PAULINE CRAIG: We’ve heard people say that Congresswoman Taft has been carrying on President Taft’s great legacy of level-headed independence. Of sensibility and balance—of forward-thinking conservatism. What do you think? Should William Howard Taft use his newfound popularity to advise the congresswoman? Should the Taft Party recruit her to seek higher office this election cycle? As green as she is on the national stage, should Congresswoman Taft forget about the typical progression of House to Senate to Cabinet and just run for president in 2012?
ALLEN THE ELECTRICIAN: No, no. I mean, the congresswoman is great, she’s a go-getter—a free thinker—she’s a real