Markoff was a dedicated American

Mike O'Callaghan

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011 | 2:01 a.m.

Mike Markoff died on Tuesday. Mike, among other things, founded the Republican Club of Clark County in 1963.

When life got tough for his president in 1998, Mike wrote the kind of letter every American should want to write to his or her president.

Executive Editor Mike O’Callaghan, a former Nevada governor, wrote about Mike Markoff and his good citizenship. His March 2, 1998, column in the Las Vegas Sun follows.

— Brian Greenspun, publisher and editor

“You’re not alone.”

Those are the words of one of Las Vegas’ most credible and longstanding Republicans to the president of the United States. Vasil M. (Mike) Markoff wrote them in late January as part of a letter of encouragement to his president and commander in chief.

Mike is no ordinary Republican. He founded the Republican Club of Clark County in 1963 and has been active in GOP politics for decades. He proved his mettle as an American in both World War II and the Korean conflict. He is a Disabled American Veteran. His motivation, therefore, is beyond reproach as is his dedication to country. In short, Mike Markoff has not only the right to his opinion but he has earned the respect of his fellow Americans.

His letter, like many thousands received from Americans all over the country, is instructive because of the message which, outside of the feeding frenzy inside the Beltway, is bipartisan and deeply felt. Not only did the president read Mike’s letter, he responded to it. Perhaps by running both in this space, it will encourage others who believe in the presidency to do as much.

“Dear Mr. President,

“Hang in there. The situation is like a war battle engagement taking Pork Chop Hill. Keep cool, show it, and don’t let anyone rattle you. You have millions of women and men behind you no matter what happens. You’re not alone, we take the hit almost as hard as you and Mrs. Clinton take it. Behind every good man, and you are a good man, there is a good woman, and you have a good woman, Mrs. Clinton.

“Keep your courage up and don’t fire words until you are close enough to see the whites (position) of the other side’s eyes. You have three years in office to go. There will be other battles. You will win some and lose some, but try not to lose your capitol or capital.

“I would like to send to you in the future some sage information about everything that you might encounter, if you so desire. Please advise. Thanks.”

That was Mike’s letter to President Bill Clinton. The president’s response was quick and heartfelt. It follows:

“Dear Mike,

“Thanks so much for your supportive letter. It meant a great deal to hear from you.

“Please feel free to send your further comments. Thank you again for taking the time to write.”

Following his signature, the president wrote in long hand, “Your letter was great and I would welcome further advice.”

Anyone who has communicated with the president knows his style. The handwritten part means not only that he has read the letter personally but that it meant something special to him. Mike’s letter had that effect. And, since he received that letter from one of Clark County’s foremost members of the GOP, it is quite clear that President Clinton is following Mike’s advice.

I took the chance of publishing Mike Markoff’s letter because it is indicative of the many letters the White House has received from people around the country and because I also believe Mike wouldn’t mind. He is like the millions of Americans who don’t like the assault on the presidency that is occurring and, more importantly, the adverse effect this Beltway bruising is having on the president’s ability to work on our behalf.

Certainly, the citizens of this country are entitled to a full accounting of what did or didn’t happen. But, reality dictates that what the political answer might be is subsumed to the legal advice the president, as a client, is getting from his very expensive lawyers.

Life ain’t easy in Washington these days. There is a special prosecutor who has a mission to prove that the president did something, anything wrong. He has spent tens of millions of dollars to get this far and he doesn’t plan to stop until he can show something for his four-year effort. The alternative is a trip to Pepperdine as a loser, something that even Pepperdine wouldn’t relish on his resume.

At the same time, there are real and significant issues with which this president must deal. We elected him to do as much and, as history has proven time and again, the American people are quick to criticize those who don’t do what they are supposed to do. And we have a president who is most desirous of working as hard as he can to fulfill the vision he had and the people of this country bought into when they made him the first Democratic president to hold two terms since FDR.

So as this sad and sordid episode continues to unfold in Washington, we would all do well to heed the advice of Mike Markoff. We, too, should hang in there. And in the process we need to keep cool. If time permits, do what Mike did. Write the president and let him know that, regardless of our political persuasions, we recognize the loneliness of the office he holds on our behalf.

You are not alone, Mr. President. There’s an entire country that can’t wait to get beyond this issue and get on to the business of building that bridge — strong, safe and secure — into the 21st century.