“Did you know?” This was how Frank Fahrenkopf began a lot of his sentences with us, the six liaisons for his study group with the Institute of Politics’ Fellows and Study Groups program. Usually, we didn’t know. Many of these sentences would continue with an almost unbelievable story about Frank’s life in the political world, a story like when President Ronald Reagan, sitting with Frank on Air Force One, asked him to stay on as Chair of the Republican Committee for the rest of the President’s term, or when Frank sat and talked with a quiet, solitary Margaret Thatcher at President Reagan’s funeral.
“Did you know,” he continued, smiling wryly, “that the Charles River is the only river in the world with two‘left’ banks?”
Though only one of many laughs we shared together, it was a particularly good joke, and perfectly fitting for a man who had spent his life working for Republicans and with Democrats, a life in which he had simultaneously run the Republican Party and the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates. The joke, like Frank, had precise timing, was full of class and just enough sass, and gave both the liberals and conservatives in the group, split almost 50-50, something to enjoy.
Despite his immediate affability, our initial meeting with Frank in September was intimidating. His suit was pristine (as it turned out were all his clothes), his cufflinks somehow bright enough to shine a bit of light on his dark, pinstripe pants, and when he stood up and began to exit the room after shaking our hands and expressing his excitement for our future together, the short, quick steps of his shined shoes indicated the walk of a man with many things to do and not quite enough time to do them. As liaisons, we hoped to alleviate any stress connected to Frank’s task at hand: design and conduct a study group each week, for nine weeks, on the topic of bipartisanship and what might be done to restore it in modern politics.
The six liaisons were not exactly sure where to begin, and how we would, only a week from the day we met Frank, bring enough people to the IOP to fill his room. I think some of us liberals might also have been somewhat wary of Frank’s bipartisan intentions. He had been the actual head honcho of the Republican Party—how could he possibly be truly devoted to the idea of bipartisanship?
We soon discovered three amazing things. First, people were coming to the study group, and every week a few more people showed up, until we were reaching and then surpassing our attendance goals. Second, Frank really was bipartisan. Sure, he loved to rib the liberals, but when, in his October speech at the IOP, Vice President Biden called Frank out as an example of the old style of politician and political thinker – the politician who dedicates his life to working for better, smarter, government for every citizen, regardless of party – we all knew exactly what he was talking about. Frank was that guy, in every way, and to us, in a most personal way. Third, Frank’s wife Mary, with her obliging smile and easy conversation, complemented Frank’s intensity and made dinner dates with the two of them delightful.
To say goodbye at the end of the semester, Frank’s liaisons got together and wrote a biographical poem for him, to the rhythm of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” It was emotional reading it to him, watching his face light up as we poked fun at his age and experience. The poem ended with this stanza:
And in years to come, we’ll all keep in touch
Frank, you’re a wonderful fellow, thank you so much.
And so to conclude, we can say without pause,
Please come back soon, and help us get jobs!
To tell you the truth, with Frank’s passion, engagement, and determination, I wouldn't be surprised if he really did come back and get us all jobs.