The room buzzed with conversation as guests and reporters waited for President Obama to deliver his call to financial reform in the crowded Great Hall at Cooper Union today. Politicians glad-handed each other. I saw Michael Bloomberg, the New York City mayor, with his hand on someone’s shoulder, gesticulating about something as the listener smiled.
And then Paul Volcker walked in. They don’t call Volcker, who is the chairman of the White House Economic Recovery Advisory Board, “Tall Paul” for nothing. The guy is 6″7 and walks with a distinct forward lean.
So there he is looking for a seat and a woman with greyish-blond curly hair and a dark blue outfit half stands out of her seat located toward the back of the hall and sceams out, “Paul Volcker, I love you!” The crowd quiets immediately. Volcker continues working his way toward his seat in the front row.
Soon enough the din returns to the Great Hall, but I was stunned. Who knew Tall Paul was a sex symbol?