Have you noticed how often the president's supporters talk about the
"likeability" factor in politics these days? No longer do we hear that
presidential candidates must convey "the vision thing" or "gravitas" or
credibility as commander in chief. Not that those criteria were
precisely calibrated. Four years ago, many commentators were assuring us
that Joe Biden brought gravitas to the Obama ticket, which is a little
like saying that helium provides ballast, but at least they thought a
certain policy weight was important -- even if their perception was
ludicrous. This year, however, we are told that voters cast their
ballots based mostly upon which candidate they'd prefer to "have a beer
with."
If that truly were the most important qualification in the minds of most voters, we might as well abandon the Electoral College, chuck the Constitution with its complicated rules and just select presidents by liking them on Facebook.
That would suit Obama. When he or his surrogates are not suggesting that the Romney/Ryan team will throw grandma off a cliff or kill steelworkers' wives, the president seems to revel in his favorite subject: the coolness of Barack Hussein Obama.
Nearly all politicians offer glimpses into their personal lives to humanize and endear them to voters. George W. Bush sometimes described his fitness regimen. His father let it be known that he disliked broccoli. Ronald Reagan had a fondness for jellybeans and horseback riding. Bill Clinton played the sax (to say no more).
Read more: http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/2012/08/21/charen-cool-is-all-that-remains/?subscriber=1
If that truly were the most important qualification in the minds of most voters, we might as well abandon the Electoral College, chuck the Constitution with its complicated rules and just select presidents by liking them on Facebook.
That would suit Obama. When he or his surrogates are not suggesting that the Romney/Ryan team will throw grandma off a cliff or kill steelworkers' wives, the president seems to revel in his favorite subject: the coolness of Barack Hussein Obama.
Nearly all politicians offer glimpses into their personal lives to humanize and endear them to voters. George W. Bush sometimes described his fitness regimen. His father let it be known that he disliked broccoli. Ronald Reagan had a fondness for jellybeans and horseback riding. Bill Clinton played the sax (to say no more).
Read more: http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/2012/08/21/charen-cool-is-all-that-remains/?subscriber=1
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