About Herman Schatz

Last week, I wrote my blog about Governor Spitzer's announcement at Syracuse University. In the blog I included a picture and a caption about Herman Schatz. At the start of the announcement, a man ran up to Spitzer and gave him a hug. Obviously Spitzer knew the man because he embraced him and said "now my day is complete". Although I included the man in my blog, I knew nothing about him. After doing some research I found out that Herman Schatz is a local celebrity of sorts.

Schatz is described as a developmentally disabled man. He is known as a "political groupie". Schatz greets politicians with a broad smile, a question about their height or birthday and sometimes a hug. Schatz memorizes politicians' personal data and tries to collect their autographs. He is known to have memorized a set of political and government phone numbers. And, he calls these numbers several times a day to find out who is coming to town. Schatz makes sure he is at political events and sometimes show up hours in advance. Not only do locals know of Schatz by name, but so do visitors. Such visitors include Bill and Hillary Clinton. In 2003 Herman Schatz turned 50. Many politicians attended his party at Syracuse City Hall and others sent gifts. Herman Schatz has been in the Post-Standard numerous times.