When I was growing up, we called a
person that we didn't agree with a moron. Over time they try to come
up with new more sensational words. Now they call a moron an
oxymoron. Some will say that oxymoron has a completely different
meaning. You can't fool me. A moron is a moron.
But let's get to the real heart of this article. Now I have been
watching advertisements on TV most of my life and there are almost
always handsome and beautiful people doing those ads. After I look
at the TV for a while and go out in the streets I never see people
that look as handsome and beautiful as they are on TV. At first that
was a great disappointment. But over time I have convinced myself
that is just the way it is. Everybody doesn't look like me and all
those models in the ads.
Which brings me to today's politicians. I think that the pretty
people in TV ads trend matched with the fascination that the
American public for American Idol and Dancing with the Stars has
changed politics over time. It means for example we are much more
likely for instance to have a Dancing with the Stars Democrat
running for president than we are an FDR Democrat running for
president.
FDR, Harry Truman and most certainly Tricky Dick Nixon wouldn't have
a chance in this beauty contest environment. . The greatest leader
of all times in a crisis situation, Winston Churchill, could not win
one primary in this type of atmosphere. JFK, the first TV president,
would work out just fine because he was a good-looking guy. Are we
worse off because of this? My observation is that while there are
some unhandsome people that are "just another pretty suit". More
often this designation applies to the pretty people.
Now let's look at it another way. College football coaches make a
lot of money and have to deliver. The success of football coaches is
unlike that of politicians. Results are unambiguous. Unlike
politics, where it is difficult in normal times to tell objectively
who is a success and who is not. In football you either win or you
lose. It is not a popularity contest.
My point is with some exceptions like Lou Saban of Alabama who is a
Marion county boy from Mannington West Virginia; the average
football coaches are not necessarily the prettiest people. I have
come to the conclusion that college football really matters to
people and pretty doesn't matter as much as winning. In things like
politics and TV ads pretty is pretty important.
I guess the message is vote for the ugly candidate. If neither is
ugly, sit it out. Kidding. Vote proudly for the candidate of your
choice in November.
