What They Should Have Said: Schlossberg Edition

John (Jack) Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg recently concluded his campaign for Congress in New York’s 12th Congressional District. It ended badly, with a resounding thud. Bent on inheriting the seat from Jerry Nadler, he lost to Micah Lasher in an effort that was widely criticized as sporadic, undisciplined, and generally shambolic. The candidate himself was judged to be an entitled, self-indulgent nepo baby with spectacular hair, but without relevant experience, whose only claim on the hearts and minds of voters is that he is the grandson of President John F. Kennedy. The final results were beyond embarrassing, revealing that even a candidate with name recognition can be beaten to a pulp.

WHAT HE SAID:

On his way out the door at his farewell to campaign workers and a handful of supporters, he actually choked out the following:

“All of us ask not what our country can do, but what we can do to help our city.”

WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE SAID:

“I need to think again about a career in politics and not simply coast to office on the strength of my wealth and family connections. This campaign was an education in humility, and I hope one day that you’ll give me a second chance. In the meantime, I’m not going to quote my grandfather at the risk of butchering his memorable words. Let me simply congratulate the winner of this campaign, Micah Lasher, and wish him well on a great career.”