Dawidziak: John Powell had his virtues

A troublesome side effect of politics is that voters' perception of people in public life can become distorted. Sometimes, the reputations of our elected officials are enhanced to the point of sainthood. After all, it's the job of political consultants like me to present clients in the best possible, if unrealistic, light. Other times, reputations suffer irreparable damage, dragged through the mud by the news media and foes alike.

In politics, there is no hiding from the glare of the spotlight. Faults and mistakes are exposed, magnified and played out on the public stage. Just ask John Edwards or Newt Gingrich.

The reality is that people who serve in public life are just that . . . people. They have flaws like everyone. When the average person drives while intoxicated or cheats on taxes or a spouse, few might find out. When a politician makes a mistake, the whole world knows. Human nature being what it is, most decide they are qualified to sit in judgment. And the true essence of that public figure is often lost in the crossfire.

Such is the case with former Suffolk County Republican leader John Powell, who died Feb. 15 at age 51. John was a longtime friend and, in the last two years, a business associate. Being a friend to someone shouldn't blind you to his faults. But nor should a person's virtues be forgotten, and Powell's were many. Although his name will always be linked to politics, his first loves were his family and friends. There isn't enough space in this column to recount his many acts of kindness. Driving down the road with him, I recall pulling over so he could speak to a homeless person on the street and offer help to find a job.

But it's fitting that his legacy be tied to politics. His rise from humble blue-collar roots is the stuff that makes great stories. In 1988, as a town highway worker, he was elected to the New York State Assembly at age 28 in an upset of a 16-year incumbent. He did it by working his butt off, knocking on doors eight months before the election.

Whatever legal problems came later, his record as an elected official, as an assemblyman and Brookhaven Town councilman, was one of hard work and distinction. If a resident's water was turned off or street was flooded, Powell would call the agency or official who could solve the problem.

Where he really shone was as Suffolk Republican Party chairman. The word charisma is thrown around a lot in politics, but is almost impossible to define. Whatever it is, Powell had it. In a Long Island accent and not the smoothest diction, he spoke with energy and conviction to inspire party members to post signs, make calls, stuff envelopes and drum up support for candidates. As with great generals, foot soldiers wanted to follow him. Donors wanted to give him money.

That combination was a formula for success. Under Powell in the late 1990s, Republicans controlled the Suffolk County executive's seat, the county legislature and most towns in Suffolk. Bucking some party leaders, Powell supported George Pataki in the 1994 primary and then the general election for governor. Suffolk delivered the largest plurality of any county as Pataki was elected.

After more than two years in prison following a bribery conviction, Powell rejoined his large circle of family and friends in 2002. Reconnecting with his second love, politics, was not so fast or easy, but it was in his blood. So, in the last couple of years he started working as a political consultant and, of course, was a natural at it. It's a shame he left the stage before finishing this third act as a trusted adviser, perhaps on a national level.

Powell was a larger-than-life personality. As with most people who fit that description, it's hard to believe he's gone. Like all shooting stars, his time was way too short.