I trust everyone has heard about Michael Cresta, the carpenter from Lexington who recently shattered the single-word and single-game records for competitive Scrabble. His amazing single-word play was “quixotry,” a 35-point word (the 8-point “X” was doubled) that was greatly amplified by hitting two triple-word squares and by the 50-point bonus for using all his letters, for a record total of 365 points.
“Quixotry” is a synonym for “quixotism,” meaning “that form of delusion which leads to extravagant and absurd undertakings or sacrifices in obedience to a morbidly romantic ideal of duty or honor, as illustrated by the exploits of Don Quixote in knight-errantry.”
All of which puts one in mind of Bill Weld, don’t you think? This, to refresh our recollection, is the guy who improbably became the Governor of Massachusetts when the Democratic party nominated the worst candidate in modern history (John Silber), thereby driving swarms of Democrats to vote for the guy who wasn’t Silber. Weld, who quickly became bored when he realized to his chagrin that governing required actual work, then went for John Kerry’s Senate seat and lost a not-very-close race; resigned his office to pursue the ambassadorship to Mexico even though it was obvious he’d never get it; became CEO of a sad little college in Kentucky that ended up under federal investigation; and ran a highly improbable and quickly-failed campaign for Governor of New York. Jon Keller offers this warm remembrance:
When I asked him last fall if he had any personal regrets over the [Big Dig] tragedy, Weld said “no, the project was on-time, under budget, and being properly handled at the time I shuffled off.” Wow. The man is either a world-class liar or in a pathological state of denial.
Anyway, Bill Weld has now taken up his latest quixotic cause: Mitt Romney. Today’s Globe reports that, despite Weld’s long-time friendship with Rudy Giuliani, and despite the fact that Weld’s positions on almost every issue of any significance are far closer to Giuliani’s than to those of Romney’s latest reinvention of himself, Weld is backing Mitt Romney for president. Asked why, Weld basically said that he thinks Mitt is a winner. (The actual quote: “It’s just that I think Mitt Romney is going to be and should be the next president of the United States.”)
Which should comfort those of us who don’t care for the idea of a President Romney. Bill Weld’s track record of picking winners is about as impressive as the Chicago Cubs’ track record of winning the world series. Quixotry indeed.
Like Willard, William was for gay rights before he was against them. His moral menopause coincided whith his campaig kickoff in NY. Sound familiar? No wonder he feels affinity for Willard. I’m sure they’ll be happy together, and wish them all the blessings they deserve.
I always thought quixotic carried with it a hint of charming and partially-redeeming nobility, but that may be my own connotation based on such examples as Don Quixote and the Cubs. I see that’s not part of the definition, nor am I feeling that about old Billy. Nice take on this, David.
I’ve long suspected candidates handed out cash for election endorsements, but now I am convinced.
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To pay Weld a backhanded compliment, I know that he is way to smart to think that “Mitt Romney is going to be and should be the next president”. Especially this early in the game. What could Weld have to gain by making such a statement now?
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Either cash or Willard found some comprimising photos or financial dealings left over from Weld’s administration that he is cashing in for this favor.
Are looking for plum appointments, they figured if they backed the right horse they might get a job in the administration. Weld did actually win an election so he has one up on Muffy other than being handpicked by Romney as Lt. Gov. Funny thing is that Weld doesn’t really want to work but Muffy does. Her problem, she’s not that good and no want wants to elect her to anything.
Weld was the first politician I really remember supporting (young ones follow their parents), and I remember being tainted for backing him over Kerry after he lost. That said I think your a little unfair. Silver was an out of date socially conservative Democrat but Mark Roosevelt had the strong backing of key players and was a solid progressive and get soundly trounced by one of the best margins a governor has had in this state. That’s impressive especially
considering what party he belongs to. It’s a record of fiscal conservatism, business friendly environment, environmental protection, law and order especially in regards to gun control, public transit and education investment, STEM investment and social moderation. If every Republican was like Weld there would be a competitive two party system in MA which would be good for the state. I’d take a Weld Republican over many of the hack DINOs out there, the Cahills, DeLeos, DeNuccis and Kujos of the world.
That said his time has passed, my dad never forgave him for
Resigning and it was obvious he got bored and eventually got bored with the state. He is past his sell by date and we can agree on that.I might’ve backed him as a 3rd grader but I am older and wiser and his time is past.
it’s moved from novel to reality (show)!
..actually strikes me as the ticket that really should be the GOP one. Maybe two former elected officials on the ticket will give them the potential of being a real force.
It isn’t everyday that the Libertarian Party would tap as its VP nominee a man who’s most recent headlines of late have all been about how billions of federal tax dollars should be heading back to liberal Massachusetts for the Big Dig, Part 2: Trains Under Boston.
This is some monumental irony.
Who would the Secretary of the Treasury be in a Johnson-Weld administration — Paul Krugman?
I mean, I love it, this is wonderful. Can the Libertarian Party get behind public financing of campaigns, too? What do you say, Misters Weld and Johnson? Yes We Can!
It took one whole day.