The ‘Lodestar’ Theory

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks during a news conference at the Republican Governors Association annual conference Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)
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As political observers gleefully parse the anonymous New York Times editorial for clues about its author, one particular theory has been gaining steam based on an unusual word: lodestar.

The word lodestar, meaning a star that leads or guides, is apparently a favorite in the parlance of Vice President Mike Pence.

The Vice President’s office has denied the charge.

Pence has reportedly been using the word into his political speeches since at least 2001.

Some have rallied around the idea, speculating that Pence penned the article, containing the line: “We may no longer have Senator McCain, but we will always have his example — a lodestar for restoring honor to public life and our national dialogue.”

However, as the Washington Post points out, the rationale the Times gave for keeping the author’s name a secret is the likelihood that identification would lose the person his or her job. Pence cannot be fired, only impeached.

Further, an unnamed White House official who frequently leaks to media outlets told Axios in May that he or she is very attentive to the verbal mannerisms of White House coworkers, the better to leave red herrings in leaked quotes.

“To cover my tracks, I usually pay attention to other staffers’ idioms and use that in my background quotes,” the official told Axios. “That throws the scent off me.”

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Notable Replies

  1. If I had written it, the tell-tale word would have been “pant-load”.

  2. Avatar for jmacaz jmacaz says:

    Pence cannot be fired, only impeached

    That may be true… but let’s remember here that Putin put Trump in office and he (Putin) has his ways

  3. Regardless whether it’s pence or anyone else, it is so emblematic of today’s gopers that this would be published anonymously. You see tough talk from people like Flake as he heads out the door or mealy-mouthed platitudes from Collins who is like the old retiree falling for every scam out there (possibly a trump university alumna). So of course the author hides their identity while trying to portray themself as some kind of underground warrior saving the nation.

    More jabber from gutless, amoral cowards. As the saying goes, “Action talks, bullshit walks!”

  4. So it was somebody from the speechwriting pool that Pence uses. Besides, it’s at least a bit better than cynosure.

  5. Avatar for docd docd says:

    Does the “lodestar” theory take into account that the VP is a craven bootlicker?

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