2 random recent events highlighted an interesting void is
our current, pathetic presidential race.
The first was a Beach Boys documentary DVD (the excellent “Beach
Boys – An American Band”) that included a funny clip of President Regan. The President was hosting a Rose Garden event
with the Beach Boys. Regan was intervening
in what had become a minor national uproar, when Secretary of the Interior
James Watt decided that the “hard rock” band the Beach Boys we not suitable
July 4th entertainment on the Washington Mall because they would attract
the “wrong element” – he had booked Wayne Newton instead! The President was funny, relaxed and clearly enjoyed
hosting the band and poking good natured fun at Watt as he overturned Watt’s decision.
The second thing that got me thinking was a recent dinner
party where a liberal guest challenged the conservative host to name one
Democrat he liked, he responded “Bill Clinton.”
It struck we that one of the things that unite Clinton and Regan (besides presiding over successful Presidencies – no small matter) is
that both clearly enjoyed being president.
On a recent Washington Week show one of the reporters joked that there
were still claw marks on the woodwork of the White House where they dragged
Clinton out at the end of his second term.
I think remembering both President Regan and Clinton (regardless
of your political persuasion) helps highlight the joyless, humorless campaign
of Obama vs. Romney. Leadership in a
President is a combination of a vision for the nation coupled with an outline
of the policies that will achieve that vision.
Neither of these men seems capable of elucidating any real positive vision,
or even making a passion argument WHY we should vote for them. At this point in the race the “argument” on
both sides is simple; the other guy sucks (true in both cases) so you should vote
for me (untrue in both cases). Sadly I
think a subsequent Presidency by either man will also be a visionless,
humorless and joyless 4 years, why would we expect anything else?
As such, this pitiful exercise is so tedious and depressing that (all evidence to the contrary) it seems America MUST deserve better than this!
As such, this pitiful exercise is so tedious and depressing that (all evidence to the contrary) it seems America MUST deserve better than this!
No comments:
Post a Comment