After my remembrance in Axios PM about Washington superagent Robert Barnett, who died Thursday at 79, several of you texted me with memories of a decades-long Barnett sideline — debate coach, negotiator and role-player for Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
The big picture: Paul Begala recalls how Barnett secured "home stool advantage" for Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton for his 1992 debate at the University of Richmond with President George H.W. Bush (who checked his watch) and Ross Perot:
"At Bob's suggestion, we borrowed the stools we'd rehearsed on at the Williamsburg Inn and brought them to the studio. Somehow Bob smooth-talked the crew into subbing out the stools so that Gov. Clinton would have a home-stool advantage" — perfect for his height. • "Bob played Geor