Thursday, October 30, 2003
Harmless political foibles
This from dawkins:
You know how politicians sometimes orchestrate cynical photo-ops in the pursuit of crass political gain? What's interesting about this phenomenon is that both sides do it, Republicans and Democrats alike!
Thankfully, the New York Times editorial page puts it all into perspective for us:
Ya know what? It's not just the current president who does stuff like this!
Everyone remembers when George W. Bush was flown in on an airplane to that aircraft carrier, then used the United States Navy (and the souls of some 100 dead American servicemen) as a political backdrop to kick off his 2004 campaign?
That was practically the same thing as when Dukakis was running for president back in 1988 and he had his picture taken in a tank with an army helmet on.
Remember how "overspun" you felt back then? Well, you can "take comfort" in knowing that Dukakis's ride "was supposed to shout 'leadership,' but wound up saying 'dork.'"
Looks like the laugh's on Dukakis now! (And, thankfully, there's no "dork" in Dubya!)
Even ol' "Silent" Cal Coolidge pulled a photo-op boner or two!
Sez the Times:
Ho ho! Bush in flight suit :: Dukakis in tank :: Coolidge in Indian garb.
Nice try, guys, but you all just look plain silly!
Whew, thank goodness the worst thing the Bushies are feeling now from their little stage-craft whoopsie-doo is embarrassment.
Democrats, you best not enjoy the Schadenfreude too much, 'cause:
Bush preening cynically in flight suit, gloating over deception-justified mayhem and murder :: John Kerry posing with a cow!
Whoopsie!
posted by Blicero : 10/30/2003 02:01:00 PM
You know how politicians sometimes orchestrate cynical photo-ops in the pursuit of crass political gain? What's interesting about this phenomenon is that both sides do it, Republicans and Democrats alike!
Thankfully, the New York Times editorial page puts it all into perspective for us:
Ya know what? It's not just the current president who does stuff like this!
Citizens who feel they are constantly being overspun by their elected officials can take comfort in the realization that teams of well-paid consultants can try to convey one thing through a picture and wind up saying the opposite.
Everyone remembers when George W. Bush was flown in on an airplane to that aircraft carrier, then used the United States Navy (and the souls of some 100 dead American servicemen) as a political backdrop to kick off his 2004 campaign?
That was practically the same thing as when Dukakis was running for president back in 1988 and he had his picture taken in a tank with an army helmet on.
Remember how "overspun" you felt back then? Well, you can "take comfort" in knowing that Dukakis's ride "was supposed to shout 'leadership,' but wound up saying 'dork.'"
Looks like the laugh's on Dukakis now! (And, thankfully, there's no "dork" in Dubya!)
Even ol' "Silent" Cal Coolidge pulled a photo-op boner or two!
Sez the Times:
This heartening fallibility goes back at least as far as Calvin Coolidge, who was persuaded to don an Indian headdress in an effort to be really human and wound up looking really silly.
Ho ho! Bush in flight suit :: Dukakis in tank :: Coolidge in Indian garb.
Nice try, guys, but you all just look plain silly!
Right now, Mr. Bush's potential opponents may be enjoying the administration's current embarrassment, but they'll feel different the next time they're in Iowa and a staff member announces it's time for the portrait with the cow.
Whew, thank goodness the worst thing the Bushies are feeling now from their little stage-craft whoopsie-doo is embarrassment.
Democrats, you best not enjoy the Schadenfreude too much, 'cause:
Bush preening cynically in flight suit, gloating over deception-justified mayhem and murder :: John Kerry posing with a cow!
Whoopsie!
posted by Blicero : 10/30/2003 02:01:00 PM
