Jeff Smith: I'm Thaddeus!

I'm Thaddeus!

Last Friday, in my role as a contributor to Politico's "Arena", I responded to a question about the presidential candidacy of guitar-playing, wise-cracking Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter. Was there room for him in the Republican field?

Sure, I replied. He can join Newt Gingrich in filling the comic relief void.  He starts out, I noted dryly, with national name ID approximating that of my dad.

Several people told me they found my remarks amusing. But as I had the chance to r...