In the spring of 1996, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Enzi and his campaign manager Flip McConnaughey visited me in the NACS office in Alexandria, Virginia, to talk about their race for the open Wyoming Senate seat. In meetings like this, many times candidates can appear overly enthusiastic (perhaps over-hyped on campaign coffee) and ideological, championing their pet campaign theme that pollsters told them resonates best with the voters. Not Enzi. He and Flip were as laid back and affable as could be. I instantly took a liking to them.
Enzi went on to explain his background of opening a family shoe store in Gillette, Wyoming, (he understands retail—check!) and how he begrudgingly got involved in local politics (not a career politician—check!). Flip then explained it took him months to convince his friend to run for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Alan Simpson (preferred Wyoming over Washington D.C.—check!).
So, Mr. Enzi, after you win and get settled into your new job, we’ll have to go fly-fishing in Wyoming some time.
When the meeting was over and we were saying our goodbyes, I made the passing comment, “So, Mr. Enzi, after you win and get settled into your new job, we’ll have to go fly-fishing in Wyoming some time.” He did indeed win. I was shocked when several months later, I received a phone call from Flip (now Enzi’s chief of staff) saying the Senator was ready to go fishing with me. I flew to Wyoming, and we spent an incredible day drifting the Snake River catching cutthroat trout on dry flies.
Over the years, Senator Enzi and I would fish many more times together. On the occasional weekend that he was stuck in D.C. and unable to return to Wyoming, we would go golfing. In 2000, at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, I was an unofficial tour guide for the Senator and his wife, Diana. Having grown up near Philly, I took the Enzis to the local hotspots for cheesesteaks and soft pretzels and helped them get to the various events around town.
On a professional level, Senator Enzi was well-aligned with NACS’ positions. His retail memories of paying outrageous swipe fees to the credit card