GREAT BEND, Kan. - As I walked into the room, Governor Joan Finney was surrounded by well wishers after the 1994 Hoisington Labor Day parade, attending a get-together in Great Bend at a friend's house. I had met Finney before, as part of a large group of "Leadership Great Bend" people a year earlier.
Knowing that she wouldn't possibly remember meeting me, I acted like I had never met her before and let the host introduce me to Kansas 42nd Governor. "Governor, nice to meet you," I said. I then walked into the kitchen, and let others visit with the Governor in the living room. I was content that I got to meet Finney again, and went to the kitchen to talk to friends while others bothered the Governor about this or that.
About 30 minutes later, Governor Finney walked from the living room into the kitchen, looked at me close, and said: "Marty, I have a feeling we've met before." I was floored.
"Actually," I stumbled to find the words, "I was part of a large contingent of 'Leadership Great Bend' people and I did shake your hand in the Governor's office about a year ago.
I didn't say anything about it earlier today because I didn't expect you to remember."
I still don't know how she remembered me. Yes, when I met her in Topeka, I did say: "I'm Marty Keenan, I'm related to Jeanne Guesnier," knowing that Jeanne Guesnier of Great Bend was one of her dearest friends. But a five second encounter a year earlier, and here she was, apparently having memorized my face like a Polaroid camera?
I read that, as Governor, Finney walked into a big fundraiser in Topeka, walked past the big donors and lobbyists, and greeted two of the food service workers by name who were there to cater the event. She knew that politics was about people.
Money goes a long ways in politics. But it's the personal touch that really makes the difference. I suspect no Democrat wants to run against Sam Brownback for Governor because Brownback seems to have unlimited cash to spend on campaigns. But the lesson of Joan Finney is that money counts for alot, but that personal touch counts for more.
Marty,
Thanks for posting such a great story about our late, great Governor. I was young when she was in office, but I will always remember all of the wonderful stories, like yours, and the wonderful things she did for the "little man" all over our state. They broke the mold when they made Gov. Finney.
Nick Levendofsky