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Blackburn’s Top Aide Strikes a Pose — From the Past

It may be House staffer Mike Platt’s birthday.

(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)
(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)

But thanks to some sneaky office mates and a mischievous spouse, anyone wandering over to the Cannon House Office Building can share in the present of a peek into his Blue Steel-y past.

The photographic tribute was posted outside Tennessee Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s office door bright and early Thursday morning as a special tribute for the chief of staff’s 40th birthday.

“I was totally surprised. I had no idea they had anything like this planned,” Platt told HOH about encountering his younger, stone-faced self when he waltzed into work.

According to Platt, his family revels in recirculating the novelty shot at strategically selected times. “This lovely photo is most definitely a glamour shot,” Platt admitted via email. “I did some modeling in high school and college.”

“There are like three of these photos in existence — held by family members in various states — and they like to pull them out to give me grief during holidays. I never expected to see one in the office,” Platt said of the spillover into his professional life.

To wit, Platt shared that more blush-inducing images were displayed within the Blackburn sanctum.

“The inside of the office was plastered with like 20 different photos over the years that weren’t online,” he said of the well-sourced walk down memory lane. “I can’t punish them — this was brilliant.”

Blackburn spokesman Mike Reynard revealed that Platt’s wife had furnished staffers with the youthful door art — which, apparently, made some fellow workers worry.

“I was told that someone asked, ‘Did someone in your office pass away?’” Reynard noted.

Passersby are welcome to admire the portrait until close of business Friday.

Happy 40th, you handsome devil!

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