The most famous Wyomingite
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
By Bill Sniffin
As occupants of the least-populated state in the union, we Wyomingites
can sometimes feel like we have little influence in the big world
around us.
A few weeks ago in this column, I wondered if Vice President Dick
Cheney had become perhaps the best known person from Wyoming. Ever.
Now this is a big statement and it brought both comments of agreement
and some howls from his detractors. But we are not talking about most
popular or even most influential, but who is best known?
It is likely true as Mr. Cheney has carved out a gigantic niche of
influence in this country and around the world. Even Time Magazine and
The New York Times called him “the most powerful Vice President in our
country’s history.”
Of course, neither story reported that as a positive attribute, as they
chronicle the problems of the Iraq War, which many call Cheney’s War.
Politics, aside, though, who besides Mr. Cheney could make that claim that they could be the most famous Wyomingite?
A case was made to me by one of my more sports-minded readers that the
late Curt Gowdy was better known and was universally loved and
respected. Mr. Gowdy was a broadcaster for the World Series and the
Super Bowl as well as many wildlife shows and other sporting events
during his distinguished career.
But the best known? Probably not.
Some years ago, former U. S. Sen. Al Simpson was in the news so much,
especially during the term of the first President Bush, that he took
on, and kept, a pretty high profile. Take his recent service on the
Iraq Study Group, for example. But, again, Mr. Cheney, who considers
Mr. Simpson one of his mentors, has far surpassed his friend.
Former Gov. Mike Sullivan became an international hero, when as U.S.
Ambassador to Ireland, he helped broker important peace accords that
have kept the Irish factions at bay for some time now – a job probably
never fully appreciated back here in his home state.
We have media darlings like Jackson Hole lawyer Gerry Spence. A
TV maven and chronic author, his latest book, “Bloodthirsty Bitches and
Pious Pimps of Power: The Rise and Risks of the New Conservative Hate
Culture” will add to his national appearances and publicize his home
state. Gerry has been a great ambassador for Wyoming and his books are
very well written. Is he in Mr. Cheney’s league? No.
That brings us back to who possibly could top Dick Cheney when it comes
to being the best known on a national or international stage? I
can think of only one, but will wait until the end before revealing it.
A huge argument could be made for Buffalo Bill Cody. Like Mr. Cheney,
Mr. Cody was born in Nebraska, but made a name for himself here in
Wyoming and around the world.
One expert was recently quoted as saying Cody is still the top western
brand worldwide and only trails Coke and Elvis Presley as icons around
the world.
For at least a century, people from Europe could identify the American West primarily with Buffalo Bill.
We have Indian icons Chief Washakie and Sacagawea. How many Wyoming natives have their images on a coin, for example?
For a while, Olympian Rulon Gardner was the toast of the world and is
still making headlines. Other famous Olympians include Pepi Stiegler
and Tommy Moe.
A case could be made for the cartoon figure Yogi Bear from Jellystone
Park, who has helped make Yellowstone National Park the international
icon that it is.
And finally, my choice for the biggest worldwide Wyoming icon is horse
trader Darrell Winfield of Shoshoni. His face has been scattered across
the world and at one time was listed by Guinness, I believe, as the
most published face in the world.
Who is he? Well, he was the Marlboro Man. Not sure even Dick Cheney’s
visage has been displayed around the world as much as Darrell’s. If Mr.
Cheney has any competition, this would be the only one that I can think
of at this time.
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