Wednesday, August 30, 2000
The hit king and the king of hype
That sounds about the best way to describe what could easily be the hottest ticket on this fall's political fund-raising circuit.
Republican Eric Deters isn't even on the ballot this year. The election for Kenton County attorney — the seat Mr. Deters wants to take from incumbent Democrat Garry Edmondson — won't be held for another two years.
But Mr. Deters, an Independence lawyer and member of one of Northern Kentucky's most celebrated families, has been running for the office for more than a year.
He has raised money, stayed in contact with the press — big surprise there — and occasionally jabbed Mr. Edmondson publicly as well as privately.
Still, most voters aren't even paying attention to the presidential race, which will be decided in less than three months, let alone a county attorney's election to take place in 2002.
So, how do you keep voters, contributors and reporters excit ed? Invite Pete Rose to a fund-raiser, that's how.
Mr. Deters confirmed Tuesday that Mr. Rose — the former Cincinnati Red being kept out of the Hall of Fame because of well-documented problems with gambling — will be
the guest at an Oct. 5 fund-raiser the candidate is planning at the Drawbridge Inn.
“I'm excited, big-time excited,” said Mr. Deters, who always comes off as excited. “I'm a little kid with this one. This is big.”
The cost will be a $100 contribution to Mr. Deters' campaign, but he said those wanting to be around Mr. Rose and hear him speak and take questions from the audience should not let the cost prevent them from coming.
“We're not going to keep anyone out,” Mr. Deters said. “No one will be (excluded) because they don't have the money. We want people to come. Bring the kids.”
Shrewd move. Mr. Rose can still draw a big crowd, even though these days he comes off more as Charlie the Hustler than Charlie Hustle, what with his constantly hawking his signature, his garish gold jewelry and his Vegas-style lounge lizard persona.
But he's still Pete. Most people — including me — believe Mr. Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.
They remember his head-first slides, his slam into Ray Fosse, his years leading the Big Red Machine to back-to-back World Series championships.
“We hope to get from 500 to 1,000 people at this event,” Mr. Deters said. “But it may be bigger than that.”
At last Sunday's Kentucky Speedway race, the line for Mr. Rose's autograph — he was grand marshal of the race — was far longer than those for any of the drivers'.
Mr. Rose and Mr. Deters met only recently through a business deal. Mr. Deters claims the pair “really hit it off” and that Mr. Rose told him that when he managed the Reds, he “liked young talent, and after meeting me he sees me as young political talent.”
Mr. Deters will take some heat for the event. Opponents will wonder what Mr. Rose has to do with politics in Kenton County, and the answer is, of course, not a thing.
Mr. Rose's legal and gambling problems could also be a problem for a candidate seeking an office where the job is to put the bad guys away.
But Mr. Deters also sees how the event will garner lots of attention and raise several thousand dollars for his campaign.
Which prompts the question: Will the real Charlie Hustle please stand up?
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for the Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort.
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