In his recent memoir, Alan Greenspan says he’s been pushing a constitutional amendment of his own devising. It reads: “Anyone willing to do what is required to become president of the United States is thereby barred from taking that office.”
I announced my support for Fred Thompson, and signed up for monthly donations (I was an optimist), just a couple of weeks ago. After the South Carolina primary, Fred, a fourth place finisher, dropped out of the campaign. Maybe this is why. He is normal.
The man or woman who seeks out such a life and enjoys its discomforts is not normal. Not crazy necessarily, but not normal, and probably, when the chips are down, not to be trusted, especially when the purpose of it all is to acquire power over other people (also called, in the delicate language of contemporary politics, “public service” or “getting things done on behalf of the American people”). The case is made, in defense of the contemporary campaign, that this is an efficient if unlovely way to choose leaders: It winnows out those who lack the stamina and discipline necessary to lead a rich, large, powerful, and complicated country. By this argument, Thompson failed because he deserved to.
But the opposite case is easier to make–that the modern campaign excludes anyone who lacks the narcissism, cold-bloodedness, and unreflective nature that the process requires and rewards. In his memoir -Greenspan remarks that of the seven presidents he has known well, the only one who was “close to normal” was Jerry Ford. And, as Greenspan points out, Ford was never elected.
God help us with the kind of president we get from this system, although Bush looked more relaxed than most.
These are such excellent points and evidence the absurdity of a campaign and the expectations therein. I’m curious to know who or what you think drives this – media?? voters??
Also, Laura posted a short but smart observation on this as well.
http://laurasmiscmusings.blogspot.com/2008/01/failure-of-normality.html
I know of people who plan to write him if we end up with a McCain-Huckabee ticket.
That’s funny, you and I both announced and started contributing to him at the same time doc. Oh well!
I think understated doesn’t cut it in presidential politics.
Dr. K., I do not understand that point of view. You don’t have any other choice than the two candidates. If you do not vote, you are actually voting for the winner. If you write-in a candidate, you are actually voting for the winner.
If a person dislikes McCain-Huckabee so much, they should vote for the Democratic nominee. I believe “sit outers” and “write in voters” in a national election are just trying to avoid being responsible for electing their political opponent…and they ARE helping that opponent.
They should be honest about it.
The time for fractiousness is before the convention. At the time of the general election, it is time for unity.
YMMV
I didn’t say I wouldn’t vote for McCain. I was a volunteer for him in 2000 but now I would hold my nose. Huckabee as VP might keep me home however.
That is the rub, Dr. K. If you stay home, you truly are voting for the Democrat in the upcoming match up. What I don’t understand is why people are so reticent about saying that they would rather vote *for* the Democrat. Because sitting out the election accomplishes the same thing.
When I say that, I am not criticizing. I have many friends who would die under torture before voting for a Republican, and would vote for ANY Democrat rather than doing so. What I don’t hear a lot from “progressive” Democrats who wish Obama to be the nominee is that they would rather sit home than vote for Hillary Clinton in the general election. My bet is that they will fall into place behind Hillary. I could be wrong, but that is the pattern.
Each of us should vote the way we feel. And—my opinion, I know—*not voting* is equivalent to voting for the eventual winner. That is the way every person who considers “sitting things out” should consider it.
If Huckabee is the VP nominee, would you rather vote for Obama or Clinton II? That is the real choice, and I don’t disrespect people for choosing the latter. Regardless of splitting hairs, such a “vote” will be the result of sitting things out.
Of course, I absolutely hope that Huckabee is not the VP nominee. But then, I wanted Fred Thompson to be the presidential nominee. What do I know?