Sunday, December 29, 2024

Hey, Mikey

 

One of the disturbing bits of news during the current Trump transition is that Mike Johnson’s job as
Speaker of the House might be in jeopardy. I must admit I’ve grown accustomed to Speaker Johnson’s image—clean shaven, Mr. Peeper’s glasses, every hair in place. If I have to look at politicians on my television screen, I much prefer choirboy Mike Johnson to any other I can think of.

In an age when theories abound, I have one of my own. Remember the Life cereal commercial from way back in 1972? Three brothers are gathered at the breakfast table confronted with a bowl of cereal they’ve never seen before. The two older brothers decide they are not going to taste it. Instead, they say, “Let’s get Mikey. He hates everything.” Mikey digs in and begins devouring the cereal. The older brothers are shocked. “He likes it! Hey, Mikey!”

The acting credits for this classic ad go to the Gilchrist brothers, with Mikey played by four-year-old John Gilchrist. My theory is that Gilchrist was a pseudo name. John Gilchrist was, in reality, Mike Johnson, the future Speaker of the House. “Hey, Mikey,” indeed!

Life cereal aside, I’d rather see Mike Johnson pop up on my cable news channel than Kash Patel, or Boris Epshteyn, or (God forbid) Steve Bannon. Let’s all hope Speaker Johnson keeps the coveted gavel.




 

 


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