Who is AzBlueMeanie?

Posted by: AZBlueMeanie

If I told you it would destroy the mystery and wonder, now wouldn’t it?  That would be like telling a child that Santa Claus doesn’t exist to ruin his or her Christmas.

I can say that I am a lawyer whose employer instructs that I not use my name in postings to protect the law firm and its clients from any harassment by readers who may disagree with what I say.  You see, it is not enough for some people to just post a comment.  While I may not entirely agree with this policy, I do have to earn a living and will respect my employer’s wishes.

I also have a degree in political science with an emphasis in public policy.  I have more than three decades of political experience working with Democratic office holders and candidates at the federal, state and local level on their campaigns, and in formulating public policy and legislation.  I am one of those behind the scenes people you rarely hear about.

So why AzBlueMeanie?  I worked on Democratic campaigns in 2004 when the Arizona Democratic Party adopted the campaign theme of "Turn AZ Blue."  On election night, when John Kerry allegedly lost, I was sitting next to a despondent couple who had volunteered to work on the campaign and had earlier told me that they would leave the country if Bush won. In a misguided attempt at humor I turned to them and told them my favorite line from the Beatles movie Yellow Submarine:

Chief Meanie: It’s no longer a blue world, Max. Where could we go?
Max: Argentina?

Turns out they did not share my sense of humor.  They sold their home and moved to Costa Rica.

Anyway, when Michael asked me to guest blog on his site, I recalled this incident.  The name is just a clever word play on Turn AZ Blue and the Blue Meanie character.  The deeper meaning of the plot and characters in Yellow Submarine have nothing to do with it.  Although I do think Max is way cooler than that rhyming nowhere man Jeremy.