Letters to the Editor
HP
Published Letters: 479 Editor's Choice: 4
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One Big-Ass Reality Show
[Read the article: Barack Obama, working-class hero?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The whole system is, on face value, total BS. But, like most things American, it is essential BS.
From Dukakis in the tank, to Kerry ordering cheesesteaks, to McCain acting like a born-again Christian, to Romney going to the state fairs and pretending to have seen non-rich people (and uncut grass) before. It's nonsense.
BUT - there is a value to it. The whole thing is a big pressure cooker, designed to bring out the real person. No one can "fake it" for the entire span (W is an exception, but he had practice as a spoiled rich kid being transplanted to Texas). The real person usually comes out - qualities and flaws.
In addition, it tests the mettle of the candidate. If they can take the non-stop meet-n-greets, stupid questions, and constant distractions in stride - then it suggests that they can be level-headed in times of crises at the White House. You have to be able to keep it together.
And do not underestimate the impact that things like the bowling trip have. People like to think they matter, they like to be appreciated and heard. His performance at the lanes didn't even matter - in some cases, stinking at bowling but being able to laugh at yourself in the process may gain you just as many (if not more) supporters.
I know many of my in-laws (in the rural NW part of the state) who were die-hard GOP voters that now like Hillary - because she fought for them and they feel like they matter to her. She is a GREAT Senator by all accounts. She must be, to have swayed the people in those northern counties.
Do people know it is BS? Of course! But they appreciate that they mattered enough to have a future President jump through hoops like a circus seal for them. Name me one King or Queen of England that would do that!
It's the game. Watch seasons 4+5 of The Wire - really opens your eyes to how crappy the election process is.
As for this being a test of characted and keeping one's head / cool / integrity...can anyone say that Hillary has passed?
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Response
[Read the article: Barack Obama, working-class hero?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think that most people know it is a game, few actully think that the candidate relates to them or will remember them in 5 minutes. It is what it is. Most of that is because the game is rigged so that only the richest can pull of a successful run.
I'm not sure that the candidates really know what it is like in some of these areas. They may get a primer (local food, team, beloved old man who won the Medal of Honor and now runs the rec center that keeps kids off the street), but remember that these people are constantly being shuffled around and operate on almost no sleep. I saw Kerry in 2004 refer to the Philadelphia Art Museum (where his biggest rally was) as "this great Library", and supposedly he ordered a cheese steak w Swiss (although that is likely made-up, as all Democrats get accused of doing that..going back to FDR). Similar gaffes abound on every campaign. It is tougher than you think.
Obviously higher stakes when they are President, but we cannot test that in any real way. The best we can do is observe the candidate and make sure they don't have "macaca moments".
What it does do is prove that the person can be fast on their feet and connect with people - if only in a superficial manner. In the scenarios you cite, the Pres would need to convince Israel that attacking Iran would be unwise. Prior experience is no indicator either - people like Herbert Hoover were very effective in some manner, but awful Presidents.
And does it not say something that our current President was a total coward who would never meet with anyone on the campaign trail who was not pre-screened as a total GOP loyalist? And go figure - now that he is in the Oval Office he is completely isolated from reality, surrounded only by "yes men".
But in the age of spin you are probably right that the bar is much lower and the risk minimized.
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Lilybean...typically crazy Hillary supporter
[Read the article: Barack Obama, working-class hero?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Name me one working class person who has ever been elected President. Ya know why George Washington was our first general and President? Hint: not because of height (not that that hurt). Answer: He was the wealthiest man in the colonies.
When you call someone a "silver tongued devil", you sound crazy.
When you call Tim Russert, a man the GOP counts on to throw softball questions, a tool of the Obama campiagn you sound crazy.
When you become the first person since 1977 to use the term "whitey", you sound crazy.
When you blame Obama for a decision that the state parties of MI and FL made, when they were notified that their actions would result in these penalties months ago...you sound crazy.
When you expect the MI votes to count, when only Clinton was on the ballot because the votes were not going to count, you sound like a creazy weasel. Do you really believe Hillary would want these votes to count if they were likely to lean towards Obama?
His poll numbers are trending up, so your opinion about America "catching on" is equally crazy.
One can only conclude that you are...what is the word I am looking for. Oh, yeah - CRAZY. You are crazy.
And that makes sense, because your hero is too...
Tuesday: "It is an honor to be sitting next to Senator Obama"
Wednesday: "Shame on you Barack Obama"
Coo-coo for Coco-Puffs. Or just a coward that kisses up to people when face-to-face, only to trash them when they are out of earshot.
But ya gotta have pride, right!?!?!
Stay classy!