Friends in high places … well, one, anyway

Since all appears eerily quiet on the Dodgers’ front — although I am anticipating it’s going to be a very busy week, what with arbitration figures exchanged and possibly a couple of other things — I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pass on my sincere congratulations to Camille Johnston, the Dodgers’ former VP/communications. You might have already heard, but she has been named director of communications for incoming first lady Michelle Obama, a job she presumably will begin on Tuesday. You may recall that Camille formerly served in the same capacity for Tipper Gore for a time during the Clinton years, which is why T.J. Simers over at the Times would always refer to her in print as “the Tipper Gore lady.” Camille left the Dodgers a little more than a year ago, although like so many others during the McCourt era, it is more likely that she was pushed aside. Camille is a loyal Democrat to the end, and I miss the spirited (and usually friendly) political debates she and I used to engage in from opposite ends of the spectrum. Mostly, though, I just miss having her around all the time. She is a great friend and a great person, and I’m glad to see she has landed on her feet.