Spent part of a fine late-summer afternoon visiting Senator Jack Reed at his Jamestown home listening to his recollections of Claiborne Pell, whose seat Jack won when Claiborne retired. Much good material and excellent insights into a man who, as Jack rightfully observed, did not come across as the consummate politician -- but who was, in fact, in his low-key way, "a very, very adroit politician," as Jack described him. Jack had some good Pell stories, and also gave me a better understanding of how this man from Ivy League privilege (a Princeton grad) had the desire to create what came to be known as the Pell Grant program, which has allowed millions of non-wealthy Americans to get their college degrees. And Jack had more, much more, which will help enhance the book.
We sat on Jack's deck for the interview. This photo of me with Jack was taken when I visited him in Washington last year.