âLilâ iconsâ a must-have among Capitol Hill Democrats
One Washington D.C. insider called it âa funny, but rather creepy, trend.â Dozens of congressional Democrats have been spotted toting tiny, animated dolls of their partyâs most iconic figures. âI was briefing [Representative] Bobby [Rush] about an upcoming vote, and I heard a voice that wasnât his saying, âno, no, no,ââ said an aide who asked not to be named. âI looked around, but we were alone. I asked if it was his phone. He turned away and pulled open his jacket pocket and said, âbe quiet Ted, Iâm busyâ. It was weird.â The aide thought Rush was trying to be funny, but her curiosity was piqued. âI told the story to another staffer,â she said, âand he told me not to worry. It was just Bobbyâs Lilâ Ted [Kennedy]. I thought he was joking.â As it turns out, Rush is just one of dozens of congressmen who are rumored to tote a miniature animated doll. Around a foot long, the dolls have been seen sticking out of the pockets and briefcases of many Washington Democrats. The D.C. gossip blog Wonkette say the dolls are a âmust-haveâ among the partyâs elite. âIt was a little uncanny at first,â said a waiter at The Monocle, a restaurant frequented by congressmen. âYouâll be taking an order and some senatorâs Lilâ Woodrow Wilson will say, âtake the crab cakes â theyâre divine.â But you get used to it. Sometimes I donât even ask the congressman what he wants. Iâll directly ask Lilâ Woodrow.â Origin of the dolls unknown While many Democrats are known to possess a lilâ icon, their provenance is unknown. Neither Amazon nor eBay lists them in their catalogues, and when this article went to press, no Washington shops were known to carry the item. One thing is certain, however: having a lilâ icon can demonstrate a congressmanâs loyalty to his party and its tenets. Julia Bertram, a syndicated political fashion writer, said that for many Democrats these days, itâs not about how many bills you sponsor, but itâs which doll you have that gives you gravitas on Capitol Hill. âItâs a little like high school,â she said. âYouâll find out that Dianne Feinstein has a Lilâ FDR in her purse. Youâll see her speaking to it during a judiciary committee hearing. Youâll hear it saying cool things like, âdonât be like those Constitution fetishists.â And youâll snicker and want a Lilâ FDR of your own. Youâll beg and plead with your parents. But by the time you get one, all the other Democrats have them, too. Then someone will show up with a awesome new Lilâ Jimmy [Carter] and youâll want it.â Fashion or useful? Not every lawmaker who totes a lilâ icon sees it as a fashion accessory. Many legislators have come to rely on the dollsâ sage advice regarding political matters. âSometimes I get into heated discussions, and my interlocutor will have me cornered,â said one representative who asked not to be named. âYou know, there might a gun bill, and Iâll think, âyeah, I like that idea. Ban guns.â Then whomever Iâm arguing with will bring up the Bill of Rights stuff and I think, âoh crap.â Thatâs when my Lilâ Bill [Clinton] will come to the rescue. Heâll say, âbuddy, we did it in â94 and the Supreme Court didnât stop us. We can do it again.â He really comes in handy.â Other lawmakers keep the dolls with them as a source of inspiration on rainy days. Even some Republicans have hopped on the bandwagon. âThere are times when some of my colleagues from the GOP put up fierce resistance, say, to a massive immigration bill,â said one senior senator from Arizona. âSo I have a Lilâ LBJ to carry with me. He knew what it was like to face opposition from within your own party. Isnât that right, my friend.â âYou betcha,â said a deep voice from inside the senatorâs briefcase. âF*** them.â Â