The devil wears Prada and Rep. Todd Rokita takes his coffee black, needs access to gum at all times, and can’t stand unnecessary chit-chat with staff. That’s according to a leaked 8-page memo detailing how to chauffeur the Indiana congressman running for U.S. Senate.
While driving Mr. Rokita is difficult, his GOP rival for Indiana Senate, Rep. Luke Messer insists his driving directions are easy. Apparently, it includes a lot of pizza.
After the 8-page memo on how to properly chauffeur Todd Rokita leaked, @LukeMesserIN posts his driving directions… pic.twitter.com/ZaAyNImVm8
— Philip Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) August 18, 2017
“Stop at Greensburg Pizza King at the end of the day,” a screenshot of Messer campaign guidelines reads, “so the Congressman can pay for 10-inch pepperoni pizza that he will have already ordered (Do NOT tell Mrs. Messer).”
It’s a classic dad joke and it’s also true. “He and his brother come by all the time,” says Lisa Sizemore, the co-owner and manager of the pizzeria. The Messer family’s longtime Greensburg home is conveniently located just five minutes from the pizza place. Believe it or not, that’s important.
Since the beginning of his campaign, Messer was attacked as one of Washington’s elite, as a carpet bagger, who doesn’t even live in Indiana. But even though he calls McClean, Virginia, home when Congress is in session, Messer insists he still has ties to the Hoosier State.
Never mind that Rokita’s instructions aren’t high maintenance for a high-profile member. Forget that the closest Pizza King to Messer is normally an hour-and-a-half away in Fredericksburg, Virginia. When Rokita was getting attacked as a political diva, Messer was solidifying his credibility in the district.
Expect more of this primary to be one of the most contentious in the 2018 season. Whoever drives either of the candidates better prepare for a bare-knuckled, down to the wire race. Messer said “no comment” when asked if he had any advice for Rokita’s driver.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
