The NBWA's David Rehr is profiled on NPR

Modern Brewery Age, Sept 6, 2004

David Rehr, the peripatetic president of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, was profiled during a recent broadcast of National Public Radio's morning edition.

A radio reporter accompanied Rehr as he went from reception to reception at the Republican Convention in NYC.

During-the interview, Rehr spoke of his love for the obscure soft drink Tab, and said his four children helped keep him grounded.

Rehr used his access to NPR's national audience to propound the NBWA case for permanent estate tax repeal, and the excise tax roll-back.

Rehr was characterized in the piece as a committed Republican, and a Bush "Pioneer," who had raised $100,000 for the Bush campaign.

But Rehr said he has become more pragmatic about the pace of political change in recent years, and he noted that NBWA had recently hired a Democratic lobbyist.

Rehr said the NBWA PAC had raised $1.5 million, and said it would all be spent during this election.

Rehr came off as a savvy political operator, networking avidly at various receptions, and staying on message.

Oddly, Mr. Rehr also took the opportunity to deliver a long valentine to the fading glories of Tab, a diet cola first introduced by Coca-Cola in 1963.

Mr. Rehr, one of a dwindling number of consumers for the peculiar-tasting beverage, recalled sampling Tab for the first time in the mid-1970s. He told NPR that he had been hooked on Tab ever since.

At one point, Mr. Rehr mentioned his desire to take a five minute break from the pressures of the Republican convention to--yes--drink a Tab.

Rehr closed the interview by saying he felt "blessed that they have Tab in New York."