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A Friendly Face in Washintgon
Dick Celeste
A Friendly Face in Washington
2001-2007
Dick Celeste
A Friendly Face in Washington
2001-2007
As Bill Bradley waltzed to the Democratic nomination in 2000, brushing aside an attempted insurgency from Mark Gravel, speculation turned towards his VP. Someone was needed to balance his east coast liberalism and remind voters what the Democratic Party could to for them. Trent Lott still had decent approval ratings, but his tenure as a radical conservative had been divisive to say the least, and America was ready for the screaming to end. Bill Bradley’s wonkish term worked towards that, but his image as a unifier would be sealed with a friendly VP pick.
Dick Celeste grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Lakeview and was a strong student. In 1959 he had graduated manga cum laude from Yale University, and then became a Rhodes Scholar, studying in England and meeting his Austrian wife Dagamr Ingrid Braun. Returning to America he joined the Peace Corps, serving under Chester Bowles. He then got into politics, with his father having once been mayor of Lakewood Celeste entered the Ohio House as a Democrat representing his home town. In 1974 he became Lieutenant Governor, alongside Republican James Rhodes. In 1978 he challenged Rhoades for the Governor’s mansion and lost. He found himself a job thanks to his work in the Peace Corps, becoming a Carter era director. In 1982 he returned to Ohio and defeated James Rhodes to become Governor. With a Democratic legislature he hiked income taxes to pay for increased investment in social services and education. He also controversially commuted the sentences of several death row inmates to life sentences, actions that would get him labeled soft on crime for the rest of his career. In 1990 Celeste was term limited and he went into the Columbus private sector as a consultant. In 1996 he separated from his wife, who would go on to a life literally made for comedians. Among other things she was illegally ordained as a catholic priest by a rouge Argentine bishop in 2002. The divorce and term limits seemed to mark an end for Dick Celeste. However, in 1998, as Democrats scratched the 6-year itch of the Lott administration, Celeste returned to public politics and defeated Bob Taft to win a third non-consecutive term as Governor. His proven track record, charity work, and popularity in Ohio all contributed to his selection by the Bradley campaign.
While a far cry from 1988’s “agreement” the 2000 Vice Presidential debate was not an overtly hostile affair. Debating fellow Ohioan John Kasich Celeste made a good impression with the voters, but in the end was probably not vital to his campaigns modest victory. As Vice President Celeste took an active role, although not necessarily in policy making. Like Bill Brock before him he was a good will ambassador around the world, visiting heads of state and playing diplomat as Bradley carefully tried to ease America into helping Vietnam confront Chinese aggression. On the domestic front Celeste served as a kind of translator between Bradley and the public, explaining why tax and lobbying reform was coming before undoing Lott’s more extreme actions without admitting the Democrats didn’t have the votes in Congress. Celeste often did town halls with voters across the country, a fact that endeared him to many. In 2004 he again preformed well, though not exceptionally, against Elizabeth Dole. The decent economy propelled Bradley to victory over Tommy Thompson. Celeste returned to what he had been doing before the campaign, causing a minor kerfluffle with the While House when he condemned the treatment of Muslims in Myanmar while Bradley and Secretary of State Biden were attempting to lure the junta into the Indian led Columbo Pact. These tensions were smoothed over eventually but cemented Celeste’s reputation as a nice guy, perhaps one a little too nice for politics. Celeste would be on hand in May 2006 in case he would be needed to pass CHIN, but was not needed as the bill passed, bringing health insurance to millions of children. The Democrats lost the House in the midterms, bringing progress on future plans to roll back the clock on social security to a halt. As 2007 dawned the focus turned abroad. Despite continuing tensions is East Asia Bradley looked towards the Middle East and a lasting solution towards peace there. Celeste was not heavily involved in the process, instead stumping for the climate accords reached in Lima in 2006, despite his best efforts they floundered in Congress.
Celeste’s constant stumping for the administration led to frenzied speculation about a possible run in 2008. He was a well-regarded figure in a well-regarded administration. Celeste was not seen as a political heavyweight, but most pundits agreed that if the economy remained decent, and no major scandal erupted, that Dick Celeste would be the favorite to win the White House in 2008.
Then on June 3 President Bradley spoke to a crowd of university students in Manila, praising American efforts to invest in the Philippines as part of the broader initiative to reduce the appeal of Maoist insurgents. But across the street a man carefully checked his rocket launcher, aimed, and fired at the building where Bradley was speaking.
Dick Celeste grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Lakeview and was a strong student. In 1959 he had graduated manga cum laude from Yale University, and then became a Rhodes Scholar, studying in England and meeting his Austrian wife Dagamr Ingrid Braun. Returning to America he joined the Peace Corps, serving under Chester Bowles. He then got into politics, with his father having once been mayor of Lakewood Celeste entered the Ohio House as a Democrat representing his home town. In 1974 he became Lieutenant Governor, alongside Republican James Rhodes. In 1978 he challenged Rhoades for the Governor’s mansion and lost. He found himself a job thanks to his work in the Peace Corps, becoming a Carter era director. In 1982 he returned to Ohio and defeated James Rhodes to become Governor. With a Democratic legislature he hiked income taxes to pay for increased investment in social services and education. He also controversially commuted the sentences of several death row inmates to life sentences, actions that would get him labeled soft on crime for the rest of his career. In 1990 Celeste was term limited and he went into the Columbus private sector as a consultant. In 1996 he separated from his wife, who would go on to a life literally made for comedians. Among other things she was illegally ordained as a catholic priest by a rouge Argentine bishop in 2002. The divorce and term limits seemed to mark an end for Dick Celeste. However, in 1998, as Democrats scratched the 6-year itch of the Lott administration, Celeste returned to public politics and defeated Bob Taft to win a third non-consecutive term as Governor. His proven track record, charity work, and popularity in Ohio all contributed to his selection by the Bradley campaign.
While a far cry from 1988’s “agreement” the 2000 Vice Presidential debate was not an overtly hostile affair. Debating fellow Ohioan John Kasich Celeste made a good impression with the voters, but in the end was probably not vital to his campaigns modest victory. As Vice President Celeste took an active role, although not necessarily in policy making. Like Bill Brock before him he was a good will ambassador around the world, visiting heads of state and playing diplomat as Bradley carefully tried to ease America into helping Vietnam confront Chinese aggression. On the domestic front Celeste served as a kind of translator between Bradley and the public, explaining why tax and lobbying reform was coming before undoing Lott’s more extreme actions without admitting the Democrats didn’t have the votes in Congress. Celeste often did town halls with voters across the country, a fact that endeared him to many. In 2004 he again preformed well, though not exceptionally, against Elizabeth Dole. The decent economy propelled Bradley to victory over Tommy Thompson. Celeste returned to what he had been doing before the campaign, causing a minor kerfluffle with the While House when he condemned the treatment of Muslims in Myanmar while Bradley and Secretary of State Biden were attempting to lure the junta into the Indian led Columbo Pact. These tensions were smoothed over eventually but cemented Celeste’s reputation as a nice guy, perhaps one a little too nice for politics. Celeste would be on hand in May 2006 in case he would be needed to pass CHIN, but was not needed as the bill passed, bringing health insurance to millions of children. The Democrats lost the House in the midterms, bringing progress on future plans to roll back the clock on social security to a halt. As 2007 dawned the focus turned abroad. Despite continuing tensions is East Asia Bradley looked towards the Middle East and a lasting solution towards peace there. Celeste was not heavily involved in the process, instead stumping for the climate accords reached in Lima in 2006, despite his best efforts they floundered in Congress.
Celeste’s constant stumping for the administration led to frenzied speculation about a possible run in 2008. He was a well-regarded figure in a well-regarded administration. Celeste was not seen as a political heavyweight, but most pundits agreed that if the economy remained decent, and no major scandal erupted, that Dick Celeste would be the favorite to win the White House in 2008.
Then on June 3 President Bradley spoke to a crowd of university students in Manila, praising American efforts to invest in the Philippines as part of the broader initiative to reduce the appeal of Maoist insurgents. But across the street a man carefully checked his rocket launcher, aimed, and fired at the building where Bradley was speaking.
- King of the Uzbeks
- Word Count: 880