Sycophant of the Month: December 2009

Total number of ProvGov press releases issued in December: 109 (-100 from November).

Total number with the phrase "Williams Government": 14 (+4 from November).

Sycophancy index: 12.8% (+8.0% from November).

What a month! The numerator spiked, the denominator plummeted, and as a result the sycophancy index soared as Danta Claus came to town.

October monthly winner Susan Sullivan made it clear early in the month that she was looking to reclaim the title she lost to Tom Marshall in November. And Tom Marshall did get on the board in the first week of October to answer her – but not before Tom Hedderson did.

Sullivan took a lead later that same day with her second of the month, followed two days later by John Hickey’s only point in the game. And Hedderson made sure everyone knew he was still in the game on the 10th.

When Sullivan answered him on the 14th, it looked like she might be destined for renewed glory, but with Hedderson now drinking from Transportation and Works’ magic Blue-Ade jug, she wouldn’t know what hit her: Hedderson banged in four in eight days; on the 14th, 16th, 18th, and again on the 21st, as Danta made sure His name was associated with as much highways happiness and public housing as possible.

The other Tom also knocked one in on Sunturn, trying his best to keep the monthly plaque, and tie His name to still more Yuletide happy money, followed the next day by Sullivan again, filling stockings on Danta's behalf. Marshall made it a three-way game with the final one of the monthly matchup on the 23rd.

The final tally was three for Marshall, four for a feisty Sullivan, and six for Tom Hedderson. For the third consecutive month, the monthly title-holder fails to defend his or her crown.

Hedderson, who shared the only monthly three-way tie on record with Jerome Kennedy and Joan Burke back in January of 2009, finally claims his first solo monthly title as sycophant of the month. Congratulations, Tom!