The Kingfish

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Huey Long stands as perhaps the country's most colorful and flamboyant politician, ever. Raised in Northern Louisiana, "The Kingfish" was known to stump at just about any spot where the common man was - from atop bales of cotton to dusty fairgrounds. Long was a self-taught lawyer who later became the only person in the country's history to serve as a both a governor of a state and a US Senator at the same time. His oratory skills and charisma were legendary. People would pack into the Senate chambers in Washington just to hear him give a rousing speech. Long was absolutely no ordinary politician. However, he wasn't loved by all. On the brink of announcing his own bid for the US Presidency, Long was gunned down in the Louisiana State Capitol Building.  He was only 42. The movie, All the King's Men, was based on Huey Long's rise to power. Sean Penn played "The Kingfish."

When I was living in Bangkok, I checked out a booked from the AUA library.  It was a very long biography of Huey Long.  It didn't take me very long to read, because it was that captivating.  As I was reading the biography, I decided to jot down the descriptions (verbatim) of Long that made him such a compelling figure.  They are below.

Characteristics of Huey Long, former governor and US Senator from Louisiana, the only person in history to hold both offices at the same time, accumulated enormous power in Louisiana and national politics, arguably the greatest orator in US Senate history, nicknamed The Kingfish, the second most powerful political figure during his time (after FDR), threatened FDR’s power base so much so that many believed that government agents assassinated him in the Baton Rouge Capitol Building.

Knew the victory would be his

“He educated people to him.”  He taught them to think.

Mannerism of always being in motion

He knew how to fit men into positions

Looked a long way down the road

There was a cool purpose in the things he did

Audacity, an iron will, faith in himself and his cause and his destiny

Capacity for hatred

Immense physical vitality

Incite an audience with his words

Kindlin’ power

Charismatic

Folksy, friendly, broad, quizzical humor, clown a bit, inner power that’s ascribed

He could never wait or hold back.  He had to rush on to greater scenes, to wider power, to his destiny

Cast a spell on his hearers

Potentially ugly episodes rebounded to his advantage

Efficient and organized

He had a certain influence

Shrewd humor and colorful language

Needling interruptions did not irritate him and make him lose his head

The nastier people were to him, the more jovial he became

Knew every shade of inflection and emphasis of voice

Revolutionary

Quickness of wit

Discourse on any issue without preparation

Could argue from a wrong premise to a right conclusion

Could think faster on his feet

Without prejudice in personal relations

Liked people, made them feel important

Had power in himself

He ascribed to himself lower motives than he actually had

He knew everything about everything

Cold intelligence

So simple, but really incredibly complex

“charged atmosphere” enveloped him

He produced events

People worshipped him

Had a long memory

Smart, fast, deadly

Jovial and impudent and boyish

Undiminished energy

Could talk and talk

Could be idealistic and unselfish

One of those who break the pattern of our time and then shape it anew

Matured rapidly in character

Extremely keen intelligence

Friendly and ingratiating personality

People felt incredulity and uneasy admiration

Bright, different, unusual, gifty

Extremely active

Nervous, curious about everything

Did not believe in physical violence

Inquisitive, original, intellectually curious

Used books to gain knowledge of the crafts that would help him

Fascinated with personal power, leadership techniques

Had a program of self-education

Mentally and physically active

Brash

Gave advice on political opinions to adopt

X-ray eyes, photographed whole pages in his mind

Intensely and solely interested in himself

Craved attention

Used laughter as a weapon of manipulation

Fascinated with debate

Exaggerate or obscure his role in any episode

Had forensic abilities and oratory skills

Wanted to lift the small and poor to a better life

“Why should anyone be fool enough to fight when he can get what he wants without doing it.”

a Huey Long book that was in Uncle Watty's (Watt Espy) collection