That's not a picture you'll see every day on the front page of your hometown newspaper, but then Joe Manchin isn't your typical governor.
We're referring, of course, to Monday's shot of West Virginia's chief executive, smiling for the camera at Friday night's Mineral County Democrats dinner, while wearing a pink flamingo hat.
If you missed the pic, it's pretty much as you'd imagine, only sillier, with the stuffed bird's neck and beak rising a foot-and-a-half above the governor's head, and its legs dangling down his chest like two neon-pink ponytails. Clad in a suit coat and no tie, his open collar reflecting the informality of the event, the governor is all smiles.
Many politicians of such stature would no doubt decline the invitation to don a flamingo hat, perhaps fancying themselves too dignified for such a display, or squeamish at the prospect of a light-hearted moment that could prove haunting.
William Donald Schaefer never really lived down his 1981 star turn at the National Aquarium as mayor of Baltimore, when he splashed into the seal pool clad in a Victorian-era striped bathing suit clutching an inflatable Donald Duck. Ten years later as governor, he swore off silly hats and costumes after the Star tabloid ran the photo with a story titled “the wackiest governor in America.”
Manchin was surely aware of the potential for such a headline when Keyser resident Steve Stanislawczyk proffered the flamingo hat, which Stanislawczyk himself had worn last week in another News-Tribune photo. Part of a running family gag, he'd brought out the hat after his home was “flocked” with plastic lawn flamingos as part of a fundraiser for Special Olympics.
In approaching the governor at Friday's dinner, Stanislawczyk said he'd made a donation to Special Olympics in Manchin's name, but the only catch was, he had to wear the hat.
And the governor of West Virginia didn't hesitate, plopping the bird on his head and yukking it up for Managing Editor Liz Beaver's camera.
In his remarks at the dinner, which drew local movers and shakers of both political parties, as well as just-plain folks, Manchin referred to those in attendance as “family and friends,” a circle that he said extends to every corner of the Mountain State. Sporting boyish good looks that even a flamingo hat could not conceal, the governor said he is inspired every morning of his life “because I know there's something good I can do for you and the state.”
Gov. Manchin indeed did something good for the people of Keyser last Friday, taking time from his busy schedule to renew his deepening ties to the area, and letting down his guard in capping his gourd with a goofy hat, to help raise money for the very special athletes of the Special Olympics.
Wackiest governor in America? We don't think so. One of the best? He's got our vote.