Not long ago, I was at a dinner party, and I had the good fortune of sitting next to Senator Patrick Lee, who was represented in Vermont since 1975.

It was a small group of ambassadors, members of Congress, journalists, and other self-important to Washingtonians.

But what I remembered most was how lay he, speaking in a low rumble, quieted the room with a steady stream of incredible war stories.

In fact, I brought messages back and forth between Rao Castro and the Obama administration, unsigned, unaddressed, but they knew who they were from.

Populated with famous politicians, world leaders, and assorted Washington characters spread over five decades.

He said he was working on a memoir, and I knew it was going to be good.

I hope they'll see the part where things worked when Sandersers came together.

That book, The Road Taken, is out this week, and it doesn't disappoint.

I do remember one Senator. Anybody ever tell you you're too young to be in the Senate?

I kind of bristle, and I said, yeah, my opponent for one.

Layhe, who is retiring after eight terms, is the president pro-tamil of the Senate, making him third in the line of presidential succession, behind Vice President Harris, and how Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

It also means he gets a security detail and a stately office on the north side of the Capitol, where we met recently and discussed 48 years worth of senatorial history.

And his side gig, appearing in five Batman movies, including The Dark Knight.

We're not intimidated by thoughts, which my son reliably informs me is the best of the franchise.

You remind me of my father. I hate my father.

I also asked him if he thinks his longtime Senate colleague, President Joe Biden, should run for re-election.

Layhe's answer may surprise you.

He understands what's possible. He understands what's impossible.

I'm Ryan Liza, and this is Playbook Deep Dive.

Speaking of senators who become presidents, what was the closest you ever came to thinking about running for presidents?

I never.

Never.

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