Second in a series
Re “A Story About Bloomfield, but First There Is the Waxman Legend”
Before he finishes his first paragraph, Bill Bloomfield Jr. – giant-killer or the latest crushee of almost lifelong U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman? –presents as an engaging fellow.
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In an era where likeability of a political candidate is elevated to the same lofty level as competence and character, the newcomer brings an indispensable asset.
An enormously successful, diversified, retired businessman, he is running for the first time at the age of 62.
No matter how towering are the odds against him in a reconfigured district the undefeated Mr. Waxman has owned since 1975, no one can doubt Mr. Bloomfield has invested eons of time thinking about the kind of Congressman he will be.
What He Is Not
What seems to distinguish him from earlier wannabes is that this is not an ego excursion and his run is not designed to slake a partisan thirst. He is Independent, he regularly reminds a visitor.
His take on politics is a little wonky. A lot wonky.
You sit and listen to him for an hour. He recognizes punctuation, except for periods.
A slender, Hawaiian shirt-wearing, easily-met, comfortable-in-his-skin type, he could have given Perry Como instruction in relaxation even though he bursts with energy, with passion and with concrete thinking, a threesome not often found hanging out together.
In tomorrow’s installment, Mr. Bloomfield will talk about the why and how he is running against one of Washington’s most immovable objects.
(To be continued)
