Presidents and kings had spoken from that podium. Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev explained how he would bury American capitalism. And Archbishop Desmond Tutu explained how peaceful resistance could break South African Apartheid.
But Monday, there was no king on the National Press Club stage. The guest speaker was the newest prince of pop, Nick Jonas. And although the capacity crowd probably contained more teenage girls than any luncheon in the Press Club's storied 101-year history, the 16-year-old singing sensation didn't even sing.
Instead, the energetic performer known as “Mister President” because of his lofty aspirations and limitless drive, delivered what may turn out to be the first speech of the 2040 presidential campaign.
Nick, the best known of the three Jonas Brothers, described his four-year battle with diabetes and why he had decided to go public with his struggles. His message, as disciplined as any politician's, was simple: “Diabetes is manageable. ... I can live out my dream with diabetes.”
Now, as the young singer/songwriter tours the country with his older brothers, he leads a highly structured life of medical tests, glucose meters, insulin pumps, carb counting and careful dieting.
Over the past four years, the Texas native has become a national spokesman for juvenile diabetes — launching a web site, NicksSimpleWins.com, creating diabetes “dog tags” to raise awareness and cash for research, testifying on Capitol Hill and meeting President Barack Obama at the White House.
In an interview, Jonas said he decided to use his celebrity “to talk to people who are not as much in the spotlight,” such as a girl in Miami who was taunted as “robot girl” by classmates because of her medication equipment.
“To think that it can encourage or inspire someone in the world is an amazing thing,” he said.
Now, for those who care about pesky private questions:
• Does he have a girlfriend? “I do not.”
• Would he date a fan? “Yes.”
• His musical idols? Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Prince and Stevie Wonder.
• His dream job? “I've always wanted to be president of the United States.”
But won't it be a few years before he can move into the Oval Office? “2040 to be exact,” he points out.
His political machine, fueled by teenage girls, is already at work on it.
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