Meet Jason Lorber.
MONTPELIER, Vt. - How many politicians does it take to draw a laugh? At least one in Vermont, where state Rep. Jason Lorber does standup gigs, produces comedy shows and runs improv workshops when he's not making laws.Some might say politics is performing. Both are centered on make believe."When I first came here, people said `You're the first comedian to come to the Statehouse.' I say `I'm the first PROFESSIONAL comedian to come to the Statehouse,'" he said.
He says legislating and performing are both passions for him.
"Politics is about changing society and trying to make the world a better place. And performing makes me feel so alive. I love the creative aspect of it," he said.I've visited Vermont and have family there. That isn't a joke but the truth. Turn left at the next cow. What happens if the cow moves?Lorber grew up in California, making him a "flatlander" or non-native to Vermonters. That gives him an outsider's view on things New Englanders take for granted, like coping with winters:
"I have a regimen for keeping warm: I get up, I put on a tank top, T-shirt, flannel shirt, sweater, jacket and scarf. Then if it dips below 50, I put on more clothes."
Or the state's quirky fondness for the good old days:
"I'm used to directions based on what street you're supposed to turn on. In Vermont, directions are based on landmarks that burned down 15 years ago."
Now we know at least two states have standup comedians working in politics. In the Sunshine state, its our governor Charlie Crist. He formed a commission last year to study physical fitness and fight obesity. Who does Charlie make chairman? An overweight football player. That is like naming Twiggy to chair a study on why models are so thin.
Maybe Charlie and Jason can compare material one day.
He also isn't shy about basing humor on his personal life -- he's gay, in a civil union, and has a 1-year-old son.On second thought, I don't want to introduce Charlie to John. Don't want to feed the 'Crist is gay' rumor mill any more than is necessary."The thing about my partner is, he's gay. Which I'm fine with. Growing up, I never pictured myself being with a gay guy. Now, I've come to realize that I could never be happy being with a straight guy."
Don't give my day job, right?
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General politics, Humor
