Yes, I know. You’re a guy. And you don’t do makeup.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I tossed the stuff away when I was in college. Friend said I didn’t need makeup, and that sounded wonderful to me.

So, what would make Martha, the Makeup Refusenik, alter my stance? An appearance on television. Or being filmed for a movie. I don’t think that either is about to happen, but I’m just putting that out there so I can make a nifty segue to my next point.

Here’s the point: Many years ago, there was a series of presidential candidate debates featuring Richard Nixon and John Kennedy. By all accounts, Nixon won the debates on radio. But on TV, he looked like a disaster. Five o’clock shadow. Uncomfortable facial expressions. You name it.

On the other side of the stage, JFK looked poised, spoke with ease, and otherwise seemed like he was comfortable in front of the camera. We all know who won that election.

A few years later, Nixon was elected President of the United States. That was in 1968. The aforementioned debates were in 1960.

By the late 1960s, television had become THE medium for politicians. Which meant that even TV-phobes like Nixon had to get with the program.

And, yes, he had makeup artists. I can even count one of them among my circle of acquaintances. That lady’s name is Lillian Brown, and if you’re at all interested in getting yourself out there more, I recommend her book, Your Public Best.

Great interview.  Your poise and ease combined with clarity of mission is to be admired.  The two of you are giving Kylie a run for her money in the best bike spokesperson category.  We are blessed to have 3 such articulate advocates in our midst.  Thanks

This was a great interview with two Tucson bike-experts! I’m so glad the UofA made this a priority story in the first few weeks of school!