Here in the Corner the other day, I was talking about Jerry Brown — and I wanted to do a follow-up post to say something favorable about him. Two things, actually.
When I was a boy, I marveled that John Quincy Adams, who had been president, could be a member of the House — could be a member of the lowly U.S. House of Representatives, after having the top job: the presidency of the United States. I thought that showed amazing humility.
Well, I have thought something similar about Jerry Brown: He was governor of California — governor of maybe our biggest or flashiest state — and at a very young age. Thereafter, he was mayor of Oakland. And the state attorney general.
Is it hard — real hard — to be mayor of Oakland, after being governor of California? I would think so, but it must depend on the person.
I mentioned that Brown was state attorney general — is currently in that position, rather. Speaking of that: Mike DeWine was in the U.S. Senate, from Ohio. Now he is running for attorney general in his state.
Are these guys egomaniacs, who can’t stand to be out of power, no matter what the power of the particular office? Or do they have commendable humility, and a devotion to public service, at whatever level? I imagine more of the latter.
Oh, and another favorable thing about Jerry Brown? Well, WFB had him on his side when Firing Line did a flat-tax debate, didn’t he?