Part Butler and Part Buddy, Aide Keeps Kerry Running



The saga of Marvin Nicholson Jr., John Kerry's Body Guy:



He keeps little black books filled with the names and numbers of people Mr. Kerry meets; dials many of his telephone calls; helps select his neckties and opening one-liners; collects gifts from well-wishers; transports his leather briefcase, three hunter-green duffels and two navy suit bags; and, at night, often stays by his side until he is ready to go to sleep. Here in Youngstown on Tuesday morning, as rain threatened an outdoor rally, Mr. Nicholson had a large green-and-black umbrella at the ready...



I met this guy once back in the early days of Caucus 04. For those of you not used to the length of caucus cycles, that means a year and a half ago.



We chit-chatted amiably for a couple minutes and then he excused himself, explaining that he needed to get back to the candidate.



I let him go with one of Pete Clemenza's lines from The Godfather: "Take a walk around da neighborhood, do your job."



And he got it.