Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is approached by his wife, Mary Louise Lee, during his re-election campaign kickoff event at Battery 621 on Feb. 3, 2015. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)
The above photo captures the aftermath of what threatened to become an awkward moment for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock Tuesday.
Instead, he and his wife, Mary Louise Lee, played up Hancock’s off-script joke about her for laughs.
It started innocently enough.
Hancock, early in his 16-minute speech at a rally attended by roughly 150 supporters, gave a salute to his family. His wife and their daughter Janae were among those standing behind him on stage at the Battery 621 business incubator in the Santa Fe Art District.
“As you know, I am very fortunate to be married to one of the most beautiful women in the world,” Hancock said, drawing applause and cheers. “One of the most talented women in the world,” he added, to more cheers, “and I have never grown old of her voice or her presence.” After all, Lee last year
And then the mayor ad-libbed: “This is not an easy job — and it is not easy being married to her, for that matter.”
The crowded responded with big laughs — perhaps too big.
“Not in a bad way!” the mayor quickly said. Lee, standing a few steps away, shot glances into the crowd and wore a horrified expression. “See, this is how off-the-cuff comments get you in trouble.”
As laughter subsided, Hancock repeated: “This is how off-the cuff comments get you in trouble.” Lee smiled, leaned in and whispered into her husband’s ear.
He then pivoted to talk about his three children. As the tone quickly changed, he welled up.
“They are my rock,” he said, “and when it’s tough outside those doors, (it’s important) to find that sanctuary — to go home where they don’t care about the title. They don’t call me ‘honorable,’ or ‘your honor.’ Oftentimes, the kids call me ‘Michael’ — right, Janae?
“But they are my rock. And I’m grateful for them every day. And I think the people of Denver ought to be grateful, because they keep their mayor grounded.”
