Stopping at Cheers on the Way to a Political Graveyard

The picture was taken at the famous Concord Graveyard in Concord, Massachusetts. The site sits on a sloping hill just off the center of town. Surrounded by landmarks the graveyard serves as a final resting place for many of the eras poets, writers, politicians and scholars. The all rest next to one another, proving that you are only as good as your last press release.

The funeral flowers can be sent to the Board. The correlation between Contra Costa Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier and someone famous is actually phenomenal. I finally figured out who it is. It has been haunting for the past year since I realized that DeSaulnier, a Contra County Supervisor who at times acts more like a dehydrated marathon runner than a government leader, must have charted his career after someone well-know in the political world.

Hell, everyone from the Boston area fantasizes about politics. And, just because DeSaulnier was raised on the outskirts of Billerica in a, doesn’t make him any dream any less of one day entering the world of the Boston Brahmins.

It would seem appropriate, then, that Sir Mark begin his political career in Concord, California, that city that sports the same moniker as the historic town which boasts the famous ride of Revere, Concord, Massachusetts. It seems that the latter and more famous Concord was just a short 21 miles from Lowell and that the young Markster always had his eyes set on being Mayor of Concord. Some Concord. Any Concord.

For those unfamiliar with his steps to the Contra Costa County Supe's seat, Sir Mark served as Mayor of Concord in the mid 1990’s. As a restaurant and bar owner in that community, Mark is pretty well known and a popular guy. It is only natural then, that DeSaulnier didn’t look towards the Kennedy’s when he began his career. He stepped out of the political closet as a Republican, then changed his mind and became a Democrat.

He certainly would not have felt right about following in the steps of Henry Cabot Lodge if he had any thoughts of switching parties.

With politics in mind, he opted to name his business, T.R.’s Bar and Grill after Teddy Roosevelt. But is it really the Rough Rider Mark emulates? No. It is Sam Malone.

And, Malone, in his day was a very good politician. Think about it. He knew when to put the moves on Diane. He always was accepting, in a pretending to listen sort of way. He had a tremendously open ear for Frazier, and, of course, he always helped the needy, Cliff and Norm. And let us not forget about Coach. And, Woody. How could we forget about those two.

Yes, Sam Malone of Cheers, and Mark DeSaulnier have a lot in common. Malone pitched for the Red Sox for a Few seasons, DeSaulnier pitched politics to the people of Concord.

Malone had Coach. DeSaulnier had Sweeten.

Malone had Frazier. DeSaulnier has Tandy.

Malone had Carla. DeSaulnier has Uilkema.

Malone had Diane. DeSaulnier has Peipho.

Malone had Woody. DeSaulnier has Gioai.

Malone had Norm. DeSaulnier has Glover.

Malone had Cheers. DeSaulnier has TR’s.

Malone went on to marry Mary Steenburgen and become good friends with the Clinton’s. There is still hope for DeSaulnier, even though he’s losing his Coach and Frazier. But we all know what happened to Cheers when Coach and Frazier left Malone. I guess that explains why DeSaulnier signs his letters, Cheers. Tune in next time as the episode continues.