Those of you who know me know I love politics. This time of year equates the Superbowl, your 16th birthday when you got a new car, and Christmas all rolled into one for the political junkie. We're getting to the really good part of the presidential election cycle and the spin coming from each of the campaigns can range from the pointed to the absurd. This week's spin from the Obama campaign strikes me as falling more toward the absurd, even laughable side.
When asked by a reporter how many houses he owns, McCain replied that he didn't know and would have a staffer get back to him. Okay, that's a pretty significant gaffe. I'm not going to minimize the gravity of that response. Obama wasted no time in seizing on the issue, criticizing McCain for being elitist and out of touch. Nevermind the fact that Obama is pretty wealthy, too, compared to most Americans. The idea behind Obama's criticism is that we want a president to be just like us. Excuse me for saying so, but I don't want a president who is anything like me. I know what my life is like and it's nothing close to being presidential at this point in time.
I think our problem is that for the last 16 years, we've elected presidents who were too much like us. Clinton was the man with too many faults who we could easily identify with because we have a few faults as well. Bush 43 was the "aw shucks" Texan who talked slow and was going to show those Washington boys how to get along better. Neither president worked out too well, especially when considering the totality of their records. I'm ready for another FDR, Thomas Jefferson, or Theodore Roosevelt (all very wealthy men). I'm ready for an exceptional president who thinks above the fray, who is adept at solving problems, and by sheer force of will or reputation can move the country forward and repair our reputation in the world. To put it a different way, I don't want Joe Six Pack running my country. I want a principled leader running my country and I couldn't give a damn how many houses that person owns.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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6 comments:
True that. I'm ready for a rediculously smart politician that can actually solve problems not sound like he can solve problems. to be fair though, I;m beginning to think that our governments problems cannot be solved (from the inside at least).
ME TOO!!!
miss you! --r
Without problems, there would be no politics. The best problems are the foreign ones -- they keep the country united. The worst problems are domestic ones, especially presidential scandals -- they keep the country divided. Let's solve the domestic problems and keep our enemies on their toes.
Ugh, I actually agree with Ian!
I also thought Paris Hilton's presidential ad was the most laughable event this election cycle.
I have seen most of the presidential candidates as very smart and intelligent men. For instance, Clinton was a Rhodes scholar. Bush was an Ivy League student and saavy businessman. John McCain and Barack Obama have both done very well for themselves.
I struggle with more the propoganda or portrayal as "Joe SixPack" than the actuality of that claim. For instance, John McCain can hardly be a regular guy - he's the privileged child of the Admiralty and married to a very wealthy person. George W. Bush pushed the folksy "aw shucks" kind of demeanour, running on the idea that "I'm the guy you could have a beer with" and those other guys drink tea or lattes. All silly, diversionary things. Doesn't matter.
The fact is that none of them are Joe Six Pack. And most people, like yourself, don't want Joe Six Pack. But they do want someone who is at least in touch with their daily lives and has a passing acquaintance with the reality of the American experience.
It's too bad that the ability to understand the average American life has become confused with acting stupid.
To Sarah - I couldn't have said it better myself (and probably didn't).
To all - Great feedback! Thanks for your comments! Keep them coming. I love to hear what you have to say (or type).
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