Meet Lisa De Pasquale, a communications professional in D.C. She’s currently Director of Strategic Communications at DC London, and also was a longtime Director at CPAC for five increasingly successful conferences. She’s written a book based on her experiences at CPAC called Finding Mr. Righteous – it’s a witty, fun read and needs to be on every D.C. resident’s Kindle right now.
1. For those who may not know your background, how close is Finding Mr. Righteous to your experiences, and how did writing the book help you personally and professionally?
My experiences in the conservative movement and dating scene in D.C. are painfully, but often hilariously, portrayed in Finding Mr. Righteous. While writing the book there were moments I wanted to rewrite, like the time a guy I was dating said he wanted to break up because I wasn’t doing enough to lose weight. It would have been so easy to say I told him to hit the road, but that wasn’t the truth. I decided that the best way to connect with readers was to be totally honest about my struggles. The names and occupations are changed, but all the awkwardness and drama is real.
Personally, the book was a tremendous help. It forced me to accept the mistakes I made and “exorcise” the guilt and weight of bad decisions. It’s also helped me learn valuable lessons on real friendship. Professionally, I was able to tell my side of the story, particularly when it came to the CPAC and GOProud drama of 2010 and 2011. The book has also given me the opportunity to do more writing and speaking on cultural issues, as well as become a regular guest on Red Eye on Fox News.
2. The more politics change, the more they stay the same. What advice do you have for conservatives today – from the future Member of Congress to the potential Presidential candidate?
Don’t be afraid to show your personality. One of the columns I do is an interview feature for Townhall.com called the De Pasquale’s Dozen. I ask writers, politicians, and even a few celebrities questions about their non-political interests. After nearly every politician telling me their favorite movie was “The Patriot,” I had to add new questions and take a break from interviewing politicians. Most people you’ll want to reach, whether they’re donors, voters, viewers or readers, are not one-dimensional. They have interests other than politics. Be authentic. If I can stay on my soapbox just a little bit longer, I’d also encourage my fellow conservatives to move on from the perpetual outrage. Yes, there is ample cause, but we have to offer optimism to really win people over.
3. What’s something that’s always thrilling, or at least that you never get tired of about D.C. itself, or how it works?
I drive to work every day. Just when I think I can’t take the traffic or pedestrians who prevent me from turning, I’ll see something that reminds me that D.C. can be a great place. The sun will peek out from behind the Jefferson Memorial. I’ll see a family standing in line at a museum joking around with one another and not looking at their cell phones. I’ll see a group of WWII vets in wheelchairs at their memorial. There are always temporary headaches that come with working in D.C., but it’s nice to remember we’re in a place where others are making lasting memories.
4. What projects are on your plate now? Is there a Finding Mr. Righteous 2 in the works?
I’m in discussions with a Hollywood production company on bringing Finding Mr. Righteous to the screen. I’m also working on a secret project with an artist friend. As for a Finding Mr. Righteous 2, I’ve run out of salacious stories, but I could be down for writing a book like Mr. and Mrs. Righteous Buy Their Dream House on the Beach. Know anyone?
5. If you’re stranded on an island, and that island is named CPAC, what are the five essentials you’ll need?
- Flats
- A copy of Finding Mr. Righteous as a reminder of who to avoid and to promote it, obviously
- Diet Coke
- Political Punks shirt to show conservatives that these are our best surrogates
- Mascara