TUCKER TIE TALLY: 9 ties 1 shoe

Tucker Carlson

June 24, 2003 -- NEW YORK (apj.us) -- The extraordinary reader reaction to our campaign to collect bow ties so that CNN conservative pundit Tucker Carlson can fulfil his promise to "eat [his] tie" once Hillary Clinton's new book "Living History" hits the million mark in total sales has met with unprecedented and mostly positive feedback. Here's a sample of what we're hearing:

Laurie from Boston writes, "...since my husband no longer wears his, I'm sending it your way. Bon appetit, Tucker!"

DH, an AOL user, gave us this heads-up: "What better use for a fashion affectation I dropped around the time I outgrew being a Republican? Tucker's dinner is in the mail."

MikeyLikesIt "...can't wait to see that wacky conservative get a mouthful!"

Joanna kept it simple: "That Tucker, he's gonna git it!"

Our favorite California talk show host, Johnny Wendell, was less charitable, though: "Bow ties nothing -- I'm sending him 15 year old Keds speckled with dalmation poop." What a tasty thought!

In an effort to get the ball rolling, yeaterday this writer has donated a vintage 1980s maroon Robert Talbott bow tie to the cause and thereby start the official "Tucker Tie Tally."

We did not expect any actual neckwear to appear at our office until at least Wednesday -- so we were surprised and delighted when a messenger dropped off a package late yesterday containing not one but two bow ties and the following note:

Please advise Tucker Carlson that the enclosed ties go best as a side dish with sautéed Florsheim au jus and a good Merlot.

This puts the official Tucker Tie Tally at three.

Let's boost those numbers fast: Hillary's book continues to sell, and Tucker needs a balanced meal! Send your best (or worst) neckwear to:

American Politics Journal Publications
Suite 294
459 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10024

And, please -- Tucker is a purist, so no clip-ons!