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Lance for Senate?
What do you mean by that?
You know, other sports I’ve dabbled in 15 years ago. Perhaps go back and get wet at the beginning, and then a blow dry in the middle and then run. You know what I’m saying? These days they say triathlons are a shampoo, a blow dry and then a 10K.
Is there a future for Lance Armstrong in politics?
If you feel like you can do the job better than people who are doing it now, and you can really make a difference, then that’s a real calling to serve, and I think you have to do that. I felt a strong desire to come back and race right now because I felt we had a place and I could have a real impact and that’s why I’m doing it. I don’t think you want to enter political life unless you really think you can really have an impact. Don’t do it for a bet, or a dare or for your ego. Or for any other competitive desire you have. Do it because you can get in there and change people’s lives. That’s why you do it. So, there will come a time, or not, that I say to myself, “You know what, I can help affect change.” And if that day comes, then absolutely.
Your life these days is really about leveraging talent on the broadest stage possible, right?
Yeah, but it can also be on a small stage. Being a parent is important. Not that that’s a small stage, but it’s micro level. You can help raise your children. You can lead the state of Texas. You can be mayor of a city. You can run for the Senate. You can lead a cycling team. You can run a non-profit.
Not a lot of dull moments in the world of Lance Armstrong.
That’s why I sleep a lot.
I hear you are a fan of The Daily Beast.
I’m an avid reader of the Beast. It suits my style and my attention span. The Beast packages up everything nicely. You get all the latest news that seems to be relevant. It’s my homepage. When I open my browser, that’s what I get.
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, causes, and individuals, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today’s rich internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Myra Adams is a media producer, writer and political observer. Her media clients have included national associations, political interest groups and corporations. She was on the creative team with Mark McKinnon that created the now infamous John Kerry "Windsurfing" ad for the Bush 2004 presidential campaign and served on the McCain Ad Council during the 2008 McCain campaign. Myra's web site www.TheJesusStore.com contributes all profits to Christian charity.
Grill Him Again!
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Not a Game-Changer
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Bulldoglover100
Give me a break. The guy rides a bike. The last thing we need is another person taking a public position simply to keep that all important attention they have come to need.
Go away lance and leave the running of this country to those who are educated to do so. Your not.
Bulldoglover100
Hey Mark...ya still in grade school buddy? Removing any comments that you don't like? LOL Grow up or go back to work at Burger King
theswordsman
Thanks for the interview, Mark. I have a small-time blog where I basically sort through all the news out there about Lance and post the positive stuff regarding training, preparation and racing. Most "news stories" lately look like someone took a safety scissors and Elmers Glue and visited Lance's twitter account. Your getting the quote about Astana possible filling the podium at the Tour de France was huge.
pourmecoffee
Now I know why he loves bike riding so much. The crouch allows him to more easily gaze at his navel.
trisha08
Sorry. But I don't believe that he is riding again for the foundation. He is riding again because he is an egomaniac and can't stand being out of the spotlight. Plain and simple. He could take the LIveStrong foundation global without riding the Tour. Now, he wants to save the world by entering politics. He is an athlete not a savior.
davidjohnston
I enjoyed this timely, well-rounded piece. With Lance, it's hard to separate the man, the athlete and his cause. This interview hits right at the intersection of all three.
Sacchoromyces
So on the one hand I'm glad to see him back in the saddle. His return is good for cycling in the U.S. Political ambitions? Cool. I'm of the opinion that people that groom there entire career toward Washington, DC are less prepared to lead the country than someone that may have actually accomplished something.
His foundation could be promoted and served just as well had he never come back to road racing. Thought he'd do more off-road racing. Leadville is only one endurance race. I'd love to have seen him in the Great Divide Race, or Trans Alps...
Flahute75
Lance would make an excellent politician - he's a brutal competitor, and knows how to win. Pro cycling is best defined as "Boxing meets horse racing" - which gives Lance a knowledge of how rough human behavior can be and how to handle it - a trait I deeply admire in our president-elect with his Chicago experience. At the same time, Lance's passion for cancer work is genuine - he does visit kids cancer wards in hospitals without a lot of fanfare and accompanying PR hacks. He has done enormous things for the cancer community, in terms of moral support/encouragement political presence and in delivering pure hard cash. Never make the mistake of underestimating Lance or counting him out. Never, ever works. Besides, If Schwartzenegger can be a Gov....
writerforhire
First, I would race until, I guess, I came in second. When you are on a winning streak there is no reason to stop. Secondly, (SHOCK!) I would take LIVESTRONG globally through LinkedIn or other social and professional networking sites as the Pickens Plan has group representation on LinkedIn. It may already be "a group" I've just haven't seen it. As far as politics, if Al Franken can win then anyone can. (That's a compliment.)
JABMICH
I'm not interested in feeding his ego.
trek-ie
Go Lance! To all you critics, you are allowed your opinion, but most of you don't have a clue about the complexity of pro cycling. But I don't have the time to educate you. Lance is a force, whether on the bike or spearheading cancer awareness globally.
He would make a great politician but he does have a flaw, he is an honest, hard working individual. I hope he does take office in some capacity and help clean up the corrupt government we have in these trying times.
Lance is an inspiration, and although not perfect, he is doing more than all of you put together! So shut up and go back to watching tv on your couches.
randy3766
I think it is great he is racing again, no matter what the reason. I plan on watching him.
brelnday
He seems to have all the qualifications to run for a polital office. Womanizing, lying, drugging, flip-flopping, what else---
Shish1
While I can appreciate his cycling achievements and promotional efforts for cancer, he's not a good person, deep down--which is what matters most in this life. It's really unfortunate when his talent is offset by the fact that he's such a tool (see also Kanye West and John Mayer, for starters). He should stop talking about himself for a few years and start treating women respectfully; this will go a long way toward making him the inspiration that he aspires to be.
rangerhondo
The trouble with politics anybody thinks they can do it. And stupid people vote them in like it's American Idol and then wonder why things get as screwed up as they currenly are.
Thank you.
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