(Intro — soft jazz piano, brushed drums, a cabaret spotlight) [Verse 1] They sit like mirrors, legs aligned, A candid pose so well-designed. New Year’s Eve in black and white, Two middlemen of left and right. [Verse 2] Ford had pardons, Nixon’s friend, Bush would swear on no-tax trends. History’s jokes, they played their part— One slipped, one ate his campaign chart. [Pre-Chorus] Chevy fell like Ford would trip, Carvey gave George Bush his lip. One was mocked for falling down, The other wore that puzzled frown… [Chorus] Synchronized… but out of step, Both lost to Reagan, no big rep. VPs who finally seized the crown, Still held their ground when others clowned. (Yes—even in tuxes…) [Verse 3] AEI, the gilded den, Where big ideas turned boys to men. They dined on policy, bold and bright— Free markets toasted through the night. [Bridge] Kristol raised a glass with flair, Kirkpatrick offered Reaganaire. Charles Murray brought the data high, Ornstein sighed at the party line. Arthur Brooks preached joy and grace, Bolton dreamed of war’s embrace… But tariffs now? Oh, what a twist— AEI’s scholars clench their fists. [Chorus – reprise] Synchronized… in look, not creed, Moderates in a radical seed. The movement they once helped design Now trades its compass for a sign. [Outro – slow, introspective] So here they sit, just out of frame— Not chasing clout, not stoking flame. History’s page may not be bold, But they were decent. They were gold. Were they synchronized? Only in chairs. Not in the noise—but in the stares.
