A first-time event is what keeps co-chairs up at night with the “what if’s.” What if nobody shows? What if there’s some other big hoo-ha type event taking place at the very same time, attracting the same crowd? What if you get a big old pimple right in the middle of your forehead?

But then it helps if you have

• a veteran event co-chair team that is driven by a cause
• big name honorary co-chairs
• an established beneficiary
• the right venue and
• really big name entertainment.

Steve Stodghill

The May 11 Boots and Bling: A Texas Fling debut in Dallas had all of that going for it. In addition to Event Co-chairs Cecily and Scott Gooch, Alex and Tommy Hicks, Lynn and Allan McBee, Bryan Reeder and Anne and Steve Stodghill, the Honorary Co-chairs were Sally and Mack Brown and Earl Campbell.

Benefiting Matt Nordgren‘s Leadership Foundation and the Vince Young Foundation, you just knew that Matt and Vince were going to be there. And if there’s anything that Texas Exes love, they love their Vince.

Plus there was going to be dining, being photographed and partying at Eddie Deens with entertainment provided by good old boy Jerry Jeff Walker.

And if you haven’t figured it out by now, it was oh-so Longhorn-oriented. As Juliette Coulter said, if it had anything to do with UT and Vince Young, “you know we’d be there. Ross (Juliette’s husband) was thrilled.”

Anne Stodghill and John and Mary Gill

Among the early arrivals for the meet and greet were UT alums plus their supportive wives (Jim Graham with wife Pamela sporting a cast on her right hand, John

Gill with wife Mary), SMU/West Point type Paul Divis with his Baylor wife Tiffany, Notre Dame’s Kate Rose Marquez in a very blingy dress and Wheaton College’s Ron Corning, who had had Vince, Matt and members of their foundations on WFFA’s “Daybreak” that morning.

Paul and Tiffany Divis, Ron Corning, Carmaleta Whiteley and Joani White

But don’t go thinking that the fundraiser was limited to just the boot-kicking Friday night. No, siree. Thursday a couple of handful of golfers played at the Dallas National Golf Club for the Golf with A Longhorn or Football Hero. Luckily, the rainy weather held out until Friday, so the golfers made their rounds.

Thursday night it was a very private party for underwriters at Papa Tom Hicks estate.

Ronnie Berg

Ronald Berg has been elected the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center‘s chairman of the board with the following new trustees: Deborah Ackerman, Mary Black, Jasmin Brand, Mary Jane Broussard, Genevieve Collins, David Garza, John Ward Hunt Jr., Tracey Kozmetsky, Stanley Smith, Anne Talley, French Taylor and Amy Warren.

A seasoned veteran with more than 30 years experience in the banking industry, Ronnie oversees day-to-day operations of PlainsCapital Bank’s Turtle Creek branch, serves as an advisory director on the PlainsCapital Bank Wealth Management board of directors and on the sales and marketing committee of the bank’s board of directors.

Ronnie said, “The trustees and I will continue to ensure that Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center is one of the most successful and well-managed organizations in Texas, as well as a national model for combating crimes against children.”

Gold in them thar heels

You cannot keep Dallas women from fashions, especially when the fashions are from Saks Fifth Avenue and the occasion includes lunch. And the Cattle Barons gals are no different. Okay, so maybe their shoes are a bit showier and glitzier that some, but they do love to see what’s on the runway.

Plus it’s a great way to rally the troops for the fundraising ahead.

Melissa de Leon and Brynn Bagot Allday

So, the spring luncheon for the American Cancer Society fundraising ladies May 11 was a great turnout despite some of the ladies getting their GPS’s set in different directions. Seems the lunch didn’t start straight away on the fashion floor. Nope, Luncheon Co-chair Brynn Bagot Allday and Melissa de Leon arranged for a champagne reception at Martin Lawrence Galleries located within Saks on the Galleria’s  top level. Then the gals moved down to the designer area on the second level, where tables were nicely set up for a ladies lunch.

Brooke Hortenstine

Surprising some was the appearance of Brooke Hortenstine, who just had a baby, and her post-delivery figure looking back in shape for sitting by the pool.

Alas, neither Brooke nor any of the CBB ladies are going to be dawdling. They’re rounding up $$ and arrangements for the September 29 fundraiser at Southfork. They’re in countdown mode.

MySweetCharity

It’s Memorial Day weekend countdown! But before you take off for an extended three-day weekend, don’t forget the MySweetCharity ad auction ends Friday at 6 p.m.

What? You thought that because the summer evacuation was getting underway that Dallas would be “Dullas”? Heavens, no. Fundraising never stops. Why, in June alone there’s Jonathan’s Place with Wes Moore, the embarrassingly fun Top Hat & Tails and Go Red for Women, just to name a few.

And, of course, while many are away, others are hard at work plotting and putting pieces together for fall fundraising. With all that behind-the-scenes activities, news is still breaking.

Tip: For those who are eager to sell out their fall events, the MSC ad auction is a perfect way to promote your event. We even link to your online reservations and sponsorships!

Just email Jeanne.Prejean@mysweetcharity.com with your bid for the spot you want and keep your fingers crossed.

MySweetCharity has received numerous inquiries about plans to commemorate the late Jeff West. It was just learned that the family will have “a very private family service on Friday [May 25] morning.”

A public celebration of Jeff’s life will be held later Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Palladium on South Lamar.

Suggestion: Instead of tears, bring smiles and great memories. Jeff would have wanted it that way.

Todd Wagner

Todd Wagner is a man with a mission. Yes, as he’ll be the first to admit, he and Mark Cuban captured lightning in a bottle with their sale of Broadcast.com to Yahoo. And, yes, he does live a life that youngsters and grownups fantasize about — jetting to meet up with headline makers, dining with the international set, being married to a gorgeous and charming woman. Why he even confesses that as a child, his household was pretty All-American without fear of neglect, poverty or ignorance.

Perhaps it’s that latter point that caused him to realize the importance of saving today’s youth from a downward spiral and the need for caring and responsible adults to step forward and to make a difference for good. And, of course, it didn’t hurt that he had friends who shared similar feelings, like former California Arnold Schwarzenegger, founder of the After-School All-Stars program. All of this added up to more than, “Gee, I’ll write a check,” from Todd. He doesn’t work that way. Instead he created the Todd Wagner Foundation in 2000 to provide funding for nonprofits in need of support.

Still even that wasn’t enough for the former Akin Gump attorney. Like a devoted preacher, he wanted others to be inspired to personally get involved with money and (wo)manpower.

Sure, Todd could have written a letter to friends and associates or twisted some arms over lunch, but Todd doesn’t do anything the way the average Joe does. Instead he decided to throw a big old fundraising bash, “Change: Making a Difference for our Youth,”  to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the foundation. Thanks to his underwriting the May 10th event, 100% of the ticket prices and contributions would be “donated directly to our three charity partners [After-School All-Stars, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and KIPP -- Knowledge is Power Program] to help propel them forward and reach even more young people.”

And while Todd was eager to raise funds and awareness for his night, he wasn’t going to pick pockets to do it. For instance, there was to be no silent or live auction. Todd admitted that auctions make him feel uncomfortable and, besides, his guests had already forked out a chunk of change just to be there. No, his next goal was to get hold of their minds, hearts and souls. To do that he was going to use food, faces, facts and fun.

But where to do this. A hotel just wouldn’t do for the “WOW!” factor that Todd wanted. Where else would you find such a venue to impress locals and out-of-towners? Well, where else but Cowboys Stadium.

Troy Aikman

As for the faces, such famous names as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dan Rather, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith were dropped, with possible others to be added.

Emmitt Smith

And what about the fun? Well, just dining on the field at Cowboys Stadium ain’t shabby, but Todd wanted folks to party hearty, so he got ZZ Top. Remember, this is Todd.

The top-tier guests arrived for a locker room get-together to rub shoulders, elbows and hands with Todd’s star lineup. As they awaited the VIPs’ arrival, a staging area was set up for official grip-and-grin photos to be taken. Event organizers scurried around with headsets trying to manage the locker room, the reception in the Miller Lite Club, on the field and everywhere else in the Wagner World.

Local favorites Troy and Emmitt were first to arrive. They’ve gotten to be such old hands at the celeb deal that they made everyone feel right at home.

Emily Eisenhauer

While waiting for others to show up, Emily Eisenhauer looked around, “I really don’t think there’s a women’s restroom in the locker room.” And, Emily, despite the strides women’s lib has made, it’s doubtful there will ever be a need for one!

Dan Rather

At 6:45 p.m. broadcast legend/evening  Dan Rather moseyed on in and immediately ran into Teri and Scott O’Glee. After chatting a bit, Dan realized that duty called and he headed over to the photo zone. Were the O’Glees old buddies with Dan? Nope, but they were from Austin and had mutual friends.

Nicholas Sparks

While Troy, Emmitt and Dan were very accommodating with photos and chats, eyes were still wandering around the room looking for the Terminator. No sign. But wait! Over at that cafe table with the blonde. It looked like. . . could it be? . . . by golly, it was Nicholas “The Notebook” Sparks with his wife Cathy. Should he have been in the meet-and-greet VIP lineup? Heck, no! According to Nicholas, who was just in town a month ago for New Friends New Life, he was just a paying guest like everyone else. Was he just here for the party? Nope, again. He was meeting with Ray Hunt the next day and then for dinner with Todd at Reunion Tower.

Aaron Brenner, Mike Feinberg, April Allen and Richard Barth

At another table were a threesome that looked like just nice guys. It turned out they were from KIPP —  Founder Michael Feinberg, Richard Barth and Aaron Brenner up from Houston for the event and to spread the word.

Darcie and Brett Hull

OMG! Who else was just hanging out in the locker room under the star-radar? Near the entrance was a couple that seemed like the kind you’d like to settle back on a Sunday afternoon and watch a football game with. Turns out they might be better to watch a hockey game. They were Darcie and Brett Hull.

Now, the crowd was growing and it was getting a tad bit crowded. A photographer asked Gina Ginsburg which of the Cowboys’ lockers she would like to be shot next to. No problem finding one. But there was a slight problem. The nameplates were at the top of the lockers . . . about two feet higher than Gina. Hey, that’s no problem. Gina just hopped up on the wooden bench in front of the locker for the photo. She invited husband Scott to join her, but he took a pass.

Still no Arnold. Oh, well, there was still the big show to come. Perhaps he would appear on the field.

At 7:19 a line of student mariachi violinists and guitarists paraded in and out of the locker room.

Just 11 minutes later, the event wranglers were starting to show signs of “head ‘em up and move ‘em out” time.   But before they could rustle their herd of guests through the passage to the hallway, a big old traffic jam stopped all motion. It was a bewhiskered, smiling Arnold. Immediately like a queen bee surrounded by drones, he was three-deep in middle-aged guys. Guess it was all the locker room testosterone in the air.

Holly and Stubbs Davis

Eventually, the guests made their way to the big reception in the Miller Lite Club, where the partying was showing signs of launching thanks to Holly and Stubbs Davis, Tanya and Pete Foster, Ginger and Kent Porter, and Kandis and Bill Hutchinson.

Pete and Tanya Foster and Ginger and Kent Porter

But the reception was just a waiting room. Soon the guests were ushered on to the field through a drum line complete with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Emerging from the dark club, they were a bit blinded by not only the bright lights on the field but also seeing their images on the Jumbotron overhead. One fellow was so busy taking pictures of the Jumbotron with his face on it that another log jam stopped the action.

With very little direction, guests figured out where to head — toward the end zone with stages and tables all set up.

Molly and Doug Barnes and Lee Bailey

A bit dwarfed by the immense size of the stadium, the party set up seemed cozy. Three stages stood where the goal posts usually were. On either side of the main stage were two mega stars from which fireballs were shot in the air. With her back to the stage and chatting with friends, Lee Bailey said, “I didn’t see them (fireballs), but I felt them.”

A head table that was as long as an 18-wheeler was placed perpendicular to the main stage and surrounded by dozens and dozens of round tables with fiesta salads in place. Beyond the side stages were buffets . .  not two, not three, but four. . .  with southwest Caesar salad, chef-carved bent buckle smoke house brisket, slow roasted pulled pork, and signature BBQ sauce, roasted chicken enchiladas with house-made sour cream sauce, chipotle grilled chicken with Mexican-style rice, roasted yellow squash, red peppers and zucchini, southern green beans, traditional mac and cheese and jalapeno cornbread muffins with creamery butter. Just beyond were dessert tables with mini-candy bar cupcakes (Snickers, Heath Bar, Almond Joy and Junior Mints), mini-sweet treats (strawberry balsamic macaroons, chocolate raspberry and cappuccino cookie pops), fruit and assorted mini-cookies.

Late arrivals Lynn and Allan McBee and Anne and Steve Stodghill slipped in late. They had been at Tom Hicks’ for the kick-off of the Boots and Bling weekend.

Kari Wagner

As the 450 guests started making their way to their tables, they were greeted by a spectacular-looking blonde wearing a black Stetson with rhinestone longhorn, a black sleeveless turtleneck and fringe skirt. Was she a Victoria Secret model? Nope. She was Kari Wagner (aka Mrs. Todd Wagner). She graciously posed for photos with guests.

Finally, everyone was seated with some diving into their pre-set salads and others waiting for a “We’re off and running” announcement. Dan opened with some opening jokes. He must have heard from Toastmasters that a joke should be inserted. Uh, Dan must have had the late Andy Rooney write his jokes. Bless his heart. They were so grandfatherly but flat.

Todd then spoke and opened with it’s “just another average Thursday night in Dallas.” He must have had Jon Stewart writers working on his lines. Then he got down to business announcing that thanks to the group gathered, $1.1 million had been raised thanks to their involvement. He shared the idea of holding the event with Kari, who “nudged me to have the event.” He then endeared all by emphasizing, “There is no live auction or anything to pull money out of your pockets.” You could hear blood pressures lowering throughout the crowd. Later Todd admitted that, “When I’m pushed or pressured, I’m not interested.”

Then he revealed facts and numbers that may have raised those same blood pressures:

“I view that we are at a crossroads in this country. To highlight this, I am going to trot out some statistics for us all to chew on during our dinner.

1. Youth in the U.S., about 7 out of 10 graduate from high school
2. 5 out of 10 minorities graduate from high school
3. More than 1/3 drop out in 9th Grade.  That’s right let’s say that again, 1/3 never finish 9th grade.   What are your job and life prospects then?
4. America ranks 12th among nations in percentage of college graduates among our young population.
5. America ranks 14th among nations in reading; 17th in science, 25th in math. AND we are supposed to be the world’s superpower (at least for now)?
6. 75% of young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are unable to enlist in the military today because they have either failed to graduate from high school, have a criminal record or are physically unfit.

“What does this mean? Well, it certainly puts our future work force at risk—remember, folks can’t get meaningful jobs if they aren’t properly educated. And that high national unemployment rate of over 8-9% is nearly 20% for those without a high school diploma. Puts our global competitiveness at risk. Puts our national security at risk.”

Bill Hutchinson and Arnold Schwarzenegger

Like attentive St. Marks and Hockadaisies, the audience sat in their places and paid attention because this information was daunting. But just as tummies were starting to grumble, Todd turned things over to Dan who announced, “It’s time to eat.” Like Babe heading to the trough, most guests hit the buffets, but for others it was a perfect time to check it out with the VIP crowd. Anne Stodghill, who had known Don Henley from years past, sidled up to him at the head table and talked about their mutual challenges of home renovations. Bill Hutchinson with an arm around Arnold whipped out his iPhone for a self portrait. Alas, Pat and Emmitt Smith exited quietly into the night. No excuses needed. Everyone in the know knew that the Smiths were chairing the 1992 Dallas Cowboys reunion the next night. Troy chatted it up with guests and fawning wait staff.

Emmitt and Pat Smith

With wine flowing, guests enjoyed seconds and thirds until a video was introduced revealing the message of the night. Todd didn’t look all that happy. People were too busy chatting and not paying attention to the video. He made a mental note that a follow-up was needed with copies of the video being sent to guests like mints on a pillow in a fine hotel.

It was then followed by immediate past president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Roxanne Spillett on the stage to the left and national youth of the year Nicholas Foley on the right. Back to the left stage the KIPP Austin Steel Drum Band performed. Heads shifted to the right stage, where an animated Michael Feinberg and Richard Barth talked about KIPP. From the back of the venue, the After-School All-Stars San Antonio Mariachi Band paraded once again.

Whew!

They were indeed getting Todd’s message across, but it was getting a bit wearing with heads swiveling like center court at Wimbleton.

In between presentations, emcee Dan sat on a stool to the side of the main stage. It was now time for the grand finale. Dan introduced Arnold, who unlike the other speakers, strode straight from his seat at the head table to the podium. Without notes he told of his admiration for Todd and the success of After-School All-Stars. He was the perfect closing act and Todd looked pleased.

It was now time for recess. . . uh, partying, as ZZ Top took to the stage, living up to their reputation for simply fine music. The audience responded but not with a mosh pit. They didn’t hesitate, but instead of thrashing about with bodies, they saluted with cell phones to send photos back home to friends, families and babysitters with the note, “We’ll be late getting home.”

ZZ Top

But it wasn’t as if everyone was so prim and proper. Thank heaven, Kandis Hutchinson popped up on stage for a dance alongside Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard.

ZZ Top

While it’s not surprising for guests to send thank-you notes to the host in the days following, a hoarse-throated Todd was in high gear to follow up. Yes, he had raised $1.1M for the three nonprofits, but he still wanted guests to sign up for board positions and to get involved. To gently remind them of his wish, he had copies of the video sent to guests as he and Kari flew off to Cannes and the Prague to take care of other business demands.

MySweetCharity

Since summer is nearly here, suitcases are being hauled out for travels to cooler regions for R&R. Don’t worry about being out of touch with the MySweetCharity community. If you subscribe, you’ll still get your updates throughout the summer wherever you are. We’ll follow you to the ends of the earth, as long as you can get your emails. That’s the beauty of the Internet.

If you don’t subscribe, just pull out your laptop, smart phone or tablet and check in with us. As news develops or activities take place, MSC will be on the scene. But you already knew that.

How do you find a follow-up act for two years of Mad Hatter craziness provided by such judge co-chairs as Yvonne Crum and Jill Rowlett in 2011 and luncheon co-chairs Barbara Daseke and Carmaleta Whiteley in 2012? Simple! You find another “wild and crazy duo” like Maggie Kipp and Shay Geyer.  

Maggie Kipp and Shay Geyer (File photo)

After meeting with Carmaleta (Barbara is still mending following a v-e-r-y nasty fall), Maggie and Shay agreed to do it if Carmaleta would godmother them along the way.

This should be interesting to watch the Kipp-Geyer team pull off the September 7th Celebrity Waiter Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton for Family Gateway, while preparing for the April 11th Mad Hatter’s Tea at the Arboretum.

It’s to be the 25th anniversary of Mad Hatter’s, so you just know it’s going to rise to levels of whimsy.

2012 Fresh Faces of Fashion Raffle

Never been to Las Vegas because gambling is a gamble, but the Fresh Faces raffle for a 2012 Mercedes Benz is better than buying Facebook last Friday. Sure, you’re taking a chance to win a luxury vehicle, but you’re also helping to fund the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas.

But time’s a wasting. You have until 3 p.m. Wednesday to buy a $100-raffle ticket online for the Fresh Faces Mercedes Benz. After that, the only way possible to purchase a chance is to attend the drawing Wednesday night at Park Place and buy it there.

If you want feedback on raffles, check with Lynn McBee, who won a Mercedes a few years ago thanks to a raffle, or Julia Keith, who picked up that adorable little Lexus at TACA’s Party on the Green a couple of weeks ago.

Tony Blair

If pre-first impressions matter, then the “Right Honourable Tony Blair” was definitely a standout for MD Anderson Center‘s “A Conversation with a Living Legend” at the Hilton Anatole on May 9. Would there be a VIP reception with Tony with his interviewer Greta Van Susteren? No. What about a post-luncheon reception as mentioned on the Dallas Morning News blog? No, he was leaving the city immediately after the luncheon. What about electronic coverage? Audio recording allowed only during the Blair entrance. Video cameras may shoot b-roll of event and first five minutes of interview — no audio (little rough for radio reporters). Photos could only be taken during Tony’s entrance in the Chantilly Ballroom and during the first five minutes of the talk. Print media “may remain in ballroom for remainder of interview. Broadcast media will be escorted from ballroom.” One media type muttered, “Does he think he’s still prime minister?” as security types appeared around the ballroom.

All these restrictions may have explained why the man who is still actively working internationally to make a difference for good had a minimal media turnout.

What they missed!

Greta Van Susteren

Having just celebrated his 59th birthday three days before, Tony probably didn’t realize that his Texas visit was going to be more that an exchange of niceties with the 5’3″ FOX Network’s Van Susteren.  But more about that later.

For some of the 650 guests, the luncheon seemed like a déjà vu situation. Didn’t they just attend “A Conversation With A Living Legend” in January with Richard Branson and Miles O’Brien? Yup, but that date was necessitated by Branson’s schedule.

Lana Andrews

This go-around Mandi Bush was chairing the event with the help of Lana Andrews and another All-Star lineup of guests including Alicia Landry, Peggy and Jere Thompson, T. Boone Pickens, Lyda Hill, Kimberly and Shannon Wynne, Renee and David Winter, Toni Brinker, Jill and Bob Smith and Allie Beth and Pierce Allman.

Renee and David Winter

MIA were Lee Ann and Alan White, who had just made big news earlier in the day with the announcement of PlainsCapital being purchased by Gerald Ford‘s Hilltop Holdings for $520M. Lee Ann and Alan, KRLD’s David Johnson was looking high and low for you.

Following presentation off the flags, a welcome by Mandi sans husband George P. and invocation by Rev. S. M. Wright II, a fine lunch was served (baked brie tart with microgreens, candied walnuts and basil oil and champagne vinaigrette; grilled filet of beef on wilted spinach, herbed polenta, classic demi-glace grilled asparagus and baby carrots; jalapeno corn muffins and whole wheat rolls and valrhona chocolate tart with caramel sauce), it was time to get down to business.

Taylor Helland

Following the viewing of a video on world-famous MD Anderson Center, MD Anderson President Ronald DePinho introduced young living legend Taylor Helland, who in 2011 at the age of 14 was diagnosed with colon cancer. For several weeks she traveled to MD Anderson because it was “the only facility in the country that offers an aggressive cancer treatment called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy to children. Since my cancer had spread through blood to my lymph nodes, it was highly recommended that I undergo this procedure.”

Looking at Taylor on stage presenting a gift first to Greta, Tony off-stage looked like a man who was truly in awe of the teenager. Having lost his mother to cancer, he understood the fear, anxiety and importance of a team of specialists in fighting cancer. He also might have been thinking back when he was 14 and his greatest concern was modeling himself on Mick Jagger with dreams of being a rock star.

After receiving his gift from Taylor, he took his place on stage with Greta for an interview with her opening question on the election of the new French president just 72 hours before.

Tony Blair

Looking like a man who had expected some niceties before diving in to the “heavy stuff,” he chuckled about Greta’s getting down to business. But despite the restrictions placed on the media and organizers, Tony proved to be utterly charming and articulate throughout the whole process.

Highlights of the conversation included:

• Having just completed his 18th trip to Israel and Palestine to negotiate peace — “As my wife pointed out, it’s not actually the number of visits you make, it’s the progress that counts.” [Laughter]
• The big issue facing Israel and Palestine  – “The Israelis have got to see the creation of the Palestinian state as a strategic necessity. . . and the Palestinians have got to understand that the only circumstances in which Israel is going to agree to establishing the Palestinian state is that if it is clear that the existence of Israel as a Jewish state is acceptable. . . but negotiating it is incredibly difficult when it is so bound up by the politics of the region. . . This is a region that will never contain its turmoil.”
• “There’s a lot of negativity toward our countries. . . but underneath there’s a huge admiration for America. . . They (people in other countries) want us to stay strong.” [Applause]
• “As China develops farther economically, it will open up.”
• One of the problems facing Europe “is a big clash between, if you like, the best short term politics and the right long-term policy.”
• George W. Bush — “He’s a good friend of mine. I’m a fan of 43. [Applause] These sentiments don’t always evoke that response.” [Laughter]i
• Miss being prime minister? “Yes, from time to time until I remember what it’s like. I haven’t rule out going back into politics.”
• Social media — “The immediate cause for many of these revolutions is social media. Governments can’t control it. The trouble is it’s not always a fantastic media to have a measured debate.”
  

  Tony Blair

• American revolution — “Small misunderstanding. [Laughter] Incredible error in judgment.”
• Dreams of being a rock musician — “I did want to be a Mick Jagger. (Being prime minister) is not the same.”
• His kids’ comments about a photo of him as a youth in bell bottoms and long hair — “No matter how bad we’ve been, we’ve never looked that bad.”
• “People want to do good. Bad politics gets in the way.”