Chester Earle

(1946 - date)

Communications Director / Development Officer for New League of Heroes

Quote

"Now boys, I don't need to tell you that League communicators, hero stipends, and rent for this little clubhouse of ours doesn't come for nothing. That's why I need you at that fundraiser next Friday--now, I don't like it any more than you do, but it's black cape, so wear your Sunday best--and those of you with public IDs had best shimmy into a monkey suit. Besides, that'll give us a chance to clear up that mess with the city commissioner."

History / Background

Chester Earle was born to a large, struggling, family in rural Texas. After finishing high school, Earle joined the Marines and was shipped to South Vietnam in March of 1965, in what marked the beginning of the ground war. Earle served three tours before studying political science at Texas-A&M university on the G.I. Bill from 1968 to 1971. Earle remains very patriotic and anti-communist; publicly, his only regret about the Vietnam conflict is that "we didn't have the nerve to win it." Privately, however, he bears significant psychological scars from the years he fought in the conflict.

After college, Earle went on to law school, after which he undertook a successful practice as a criminal prosecutor in Houston. He left his work and became involved in state politics when a close friend asked him to serve as campaign manager for his bid for a position on the Texas Supreme Court. Earle spent a good deal of time dealing with the press defending his candidate against several accusations of scandal. He became something of a media figure due to his folksy sayings, his witty commentary on the political process and his humorous, but cutting remarks at the expense of liberal political figures.

Earle parlayed his political and media success into a series of regular appearances on conservative AM radio and a lucrative political consulting business. He has consulted on many conservative campaigns, from the Texas legislature to gubernatorial and senate races.

Earle's career took a disastrous turn in 2002 when, while working as campaign manager on a close Senate race, the Houston Times released an article exposing the colorful commentator's addiction to prescription amphetamines. The resulting scandal occupied the press during the final weeks of the campaign. Although Earle resigned from the campaign, paid a fine of several thousand dollars, and entered a rehabilitation facility, he was blamed by most political observers for his candidate's loss to a relatively unseasoned challenger.

After his recovery, Earle found himself perceived as "damaged goods" by the conservative political establishment. When Lonestar offered him a position as a media consultant for the Rough Riders, who, she explained were being smeared by "the liberal media machine," he gratefully excepted.

Earle has worked hard to manage public perception of the Rough Riders and their outspoken and controversial leader. When the League began the process of hiring staff in 2006, Lonestar objected to the hiring of "a leftist feminist in bed with the ACLU" to the position of General Counsel (i.e., Faridah Boubakeur), and insisted that the staff be balanced by someone with conservative credentials. Recognizing that the League's image would be damaged if it were perceived to be too far to the left and recognizing his political and fundraising skills, the Executive Committee agreed to hire Earle to be the League's public face.

Personality

Earle is an experienced and wily politician and public figure. Despite his deeply held views--which are socially traditional and politically conservative, he acts unflinchingly in the service of his clients--in this case, the League--to defend their public image and advance their agenda. He believes in a gentlemanly form of politics, but once his adversaries have broken what he believes to be the unspoken rules of the game, he won't hesitate to change his tactics.

Earle is a personable man who often downplays his sophistication by playing the role of a back-slapping, folksy good ole boy. He values civility in his professional relationships and has the grudging regard of his political opponents.

Appearance

Earle is tall and slim, his head clean shaven. Some find his face gaunt and hard, and this is accented by his wire-framed glasses; his face however is creased with laugh lines. He is always in a shirt & tie, and usually in motion--typing furiously, downing copy, with a cellphone receiver in his ear.