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Capital Connections
Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek leverages cigars and politics
Alejandro Benes
From the Print Edition:
Armand Assante, Mar/Apr 2008
(continued from page 3)
Diaz-Balart believes that Meek's instincts are so good that when it came to Cuba policy, "Kendrick didn't really have to be convinced about the plight of oppressed peoples. Kendrick Meek has been a strong supporter of a free Cuba."
"I'm in favor of the embargo on Cuba," Meek says, taking a position contrary to that of many in his party, but in line with the louder and politically influential Cuban Americans in South Florida. "It's working, but not as fast as everyone would like."
Meek's strong support includes a refusal to smoke Cuban cigars. "I'll smoke other cigars," Meek confides as lunch ends at Smith & Wollensky, "not just Padróns. I'll smoke an Ashton every now and then. I just won't smoke Cubans."
As he is about to walk out of the restaurant into a blustery Miami Beach day, Meek cradles a Padrón Anniversary between two fingers in his left hand and begins to catch up with the waiters. At the door, Meek shakes hands and cradles the manager's elbow in the hand with the cigar. Meek is engaged as the manager says business is pretty good, and as he does with everyone, listens sincerely, as if he might learn something. "You can't just like people," says Meek about the business of politics. "You have to love people."
Maybe even more than a good Churchill.
Alejandro Benes is a writer based in Southern California.
Photographs by Brad Nelson
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