It will be how he helps improve accessibility with the media. Listening to advice is not one of Labrador's strong points, but in this case it will pay for him to listen to somebody who has been around as long as Popkey.īut Popkey's success will not be determined by how much Labrador accepts advice. The hiring of Popkey provides some adjustments for Labrador, who has had more press secretaries than the late Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, had managers. In this case, it could be a monthly occurrence. Popkey will become a "real" press secretary the first time he has to write a news release, or commentary, that defends a position contrary to Popkey's personal views. From the beginning, he has known where he is going and how to get there. Popkey's job - in fact, his only job - is to serve a congressman who has a strong will, even stronger convictions and an ego the size of Texas. "It's bittersweet to leave journalism, my first love, but I'm thrilled with the opportunity to apply what I've learned to help advance our state's priorities in Washington," Popkey said in a statement.Īctually, it won't work that way at all. He could stay in Congress for as long as Popkey wants to work. In the meantime, Labrador has a safe seat and the national media loves him. There's always a chance that Labrador will run for the Senate, or governor's office, but my guess is he won't go for those unless he's sure he can win. With Labrador, Popkey can work at a more manageable pace and have a better sense of job security. Just about everybody who works for a newspaper these days - any newspaper - is being asked to do more with fewer resources, and Popkey was no exception. He's working in an environment that is common to so many newspapers, where layoffs and unpaid furloughs are a way of life. I've seen him at meaningless governor's photo-op ceremonies, just so he could ask Otter one question without going through the spin doctors. I've seen him tied up in knots, and that's hell on a person's blood pressure over time. At 55, he was stuck in a high-stress job that was going nowhere. The move seems strange, given the fact that Labrador seemingly has gone through more press secretaries than toilet paper in his four years in office. Popkey, the most talented political writer in the state, will now be in charge of defending Labrador's tea party positions and organizing photo-ops with the likes of Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. That was the typical reaction when Popkey, the face of the Idaho Statesman, announced that he was leaving to accept the position as Labrador's press secretary. "WHAT? Dan Popkey is going to work for Raul Labrador?"
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