Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana is widely admired as one of the more modest fellows on Capitol Hill -- which is, as they say, a little like being one of the tallest buildings in Cedar Rock, Nebraska. But even Sen. Lugar's modesty knows it limits. Last week, his office helpfully faxed out his schedule to reporters, with an interesting "FYI" item attached to the bottom. "Sen. Lugar made his 27th appearance on Meet the Press Sunday March 14," said the press release. To which the only appropriate response is, "Oh."
But the press release went on: "Following are the people with the most all time appearances on Meet the Press." The list proves -- as if proof were necessary! -- that with this latest appearance, Senator Lugar has now moved into sixth place, past Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who is presumably without hope of ever catching up with the gentleman from Indiana. But no doubt Pat Moynihan and George Mitchell are feeling his hot Hoosier breath on the backs of their necks, for they are tied for fourth place, at 28 appearances each. A few more Kosovos, and Sen. Lugar may even overtake number two, Dick Gephardt (31 appearances). The hands-down all-time leader, however, is Bob Dole, who appeared on the show 58 times. No word on whether those 58 appearances include "public service" ads for E.D.