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Saturday Morning Musings

I was trying to put my finger on what bothered me so much about John McCain's smugness last night and I figured out it had to do with him assuming, by virtue of his lifetime of being a politiican, he's entitled to be President. As if he's paid more dues and has seniority in things besides age.

Then, thinking about my birthday Sunday, I remembered that my good pal and occasional TalkLeft contributor Anita Thompson;'s birthday is today. After our great week at the DNC, Anita left for Manhattan to finish up her senior year at Columbia. So I checked in at her Owl Farm blog to see what's she's up to. She has a great section quoted from her husband's Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, '72. It fits McCain to a T. I'm reprinting it below.

Bull Elk In The Rut

A man on the scent of the White House is rarely rational. He is more like a beast in heat: a bull elk in the rut.

The bull elk is a very crafty animal for about fifty weeks of the year; his senses are so sharp that only an artful stalker can get within a thousand yards of him . . . but when the rut comes on, in the autumn, any geek with the sense to blow an elk-whistle can lure a bull elk right up to his car in ten minutes if he can drive within hearing range.

The dumb b*stards lose all control of themselves when the rut comes on. Their eyes glaze over, their ears pack up with hot wax, and their loins get heavy with blood. Anything that sounds like a cow elk in rut will fuse the central nervous systems of every bull on the mountain. They will race through the timber like huge cannonballs, trampling small trees and scraping off bloody chunks of their own hair on the unyielding bark of the big ones. They behave like sharks in a feeding frenzy, attacking each other with all the demented violence of human drug dealers gone mad on their own wares.

A career politician finally smelling the White House is not much different from a bull elk in the rut. He will stop at nothing, trashing anything that gets in his way; and anything he can’t handle personally he will hire out–or, failing that, make a deal. It is a difficult syndrome for most people to understand, because few of us ever come close to the kind of Ultimate Power and Achievement that the White House represents to a career politician. [more]

The presidency is as far as he can go. There is no more. The currency of politics is power, and once you’ve been the Most Powerful Man in the World for four years, everything else is downhill–except four more years on the same trip.

-- Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72

Happy Birthday, Anita (and check out these flowers the TL kid brought me last night) and come back to Colorado soon.

This is an open thread.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Here's an interesting viewpoint (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by oculus on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 01:39:28 AM EST
    on the debate by the TV writer for the NYT:

    Generational divide

    I agree with this: (none / 0) (#18)
    by Finis Terrae on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:04:58 AM EST
    "He seemed almost piqued that he had to share the stage with a man who had been in the Senate only four years."

    Reminded me of Bush Sr.


    Parent

    that same smug look (5.00 / 0) (#3)
    by cpinva on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 04:32:24 AM EST
    is found on the faces of people who don't have the slightest clue. two examples come quickly to mind:

    george bush

    george allen

    i submit sen. mccain makes 3.

    I thought that the "smile" (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by alsace on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 05:55:55 AM EST
    was McCain's way of hiding his seething anger and his gritted teeth.  He obviously did not like being called on his talking points or his record.   Not the same, in my view, as Bush's smug smirk or Allen's permanent faux-smile.  

    Parent
    McCain Showed "Contempt" To Obama (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by john horse on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 07:14:53 AM EST
    More and more people seem to be bothered by Senator McCain's lack of eye contact with Senator Obama throughout the debate.

    As Chris Matthews has pointed out, regardless of how McCain may personally feel about Obama, Senator Obama is the candidate of Democratic Party, and, as such, is on an equal footing with McCain and, therefore, deserves to be shown respect.  (TPM has the video clip here)

    I don't know why McCain behaved toward Obama the way he did.  Maybe, its related to what Jeralyn refers to as his attitude of entitlement.  McCain feels that he is entitled to be President and Obama is not.  If McCain believes that about his opponent, fine, but there is a difference between not having any respect for your opponent and showing your lack of respect.  This was totally low class behavior on McCain's part.

    yeah. I've always felt (none / 0) (#35)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:31:10 AM EST
    McCain felt the entitlement

    Parent
    Been thinking about McCain (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by joanneleon on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:03:38 AM EST
    I think that McCain is angry and resentful at everyone and everything around him.

    But most of all, deep down, I believe McCain is angry at himself.  At one time, he was more of a maverick and he was more of an independent thinker.  However, he compromised all of his principles in the last eight years.  He compromised everything for his ambition.  And I think he realizes it and as a result, he is a broken man.

    He's been preparing for this presidential run for years and years. He was raised with expectations of greatness, even though he chose a different path than his father and grandfather. He's run through the narratives in his head countless times.  He has nurtured this image of who he would be as a candidate.  Now he has finally gotten his chance to run, and all of his most valuable attributes and achievements have been compromised by the fact that he stood by the worst president in history, and in the process, he trashed the things he worked so hard for all his life.

    Though he blames himself for his downfall, another part of him (the part that behaves like a classic alcoholic behaves) lashes out and blames others too.  So he blames George Bush and other Republicans.  And he blames Obama, who rose out of nowhere, to take the spot that "belonged" to him.  But again, most of the blame, I believe, he puts on himself and the choices he has made.

    No. He wasn't. (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by rooge04 on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:10:28 AM EST
    At one time, he was more of a maverick and he was more of anindependent thinker.  However, he compromised all of his principles in the last eight years.

    McCain has NEVER been a Maverick. Not now, not in 2000, not in 1992.  He has always been a right winger all the way. Please please please stop believing the media meme that McCain "has changed." No, he hasn't.  He has always been this. What you see now is who he is.  He was never in his life a Maverick.  

    I get so frustrated  that even liberals believe this. It's incredibly frustrating how entrenched this false idea is.

    http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh090508.shtml

    Parent

    This is a bi-partisan post, right? (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by lambert on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:10:08 PM EST
    It's the proximity of power that causes the symptoms, too, and last I checked, Obama was "on the scent of the White House" too.

    the point of the writing (none / 0) (#128)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:20:21 PM EST
    was career politicians not just those on the scent of the White House.

    Read it again. Obama is not a career politician. He first sought national office in 2000 when he lost to Bobby Rush and then ran for Senate in 2004.

    He had a career before the state legislature. He was a community organizer, a lawyer and a teacher of law in addition to politics.

    Parent

    Didn't Sen. McCain have a career in (none / 0) (#130)
    by oculus on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 03:17:38 PM EST
    the Navy before he became a politician?  

    Parent
    And for a longer time? (none / 0) (#133)
    by jawbone on Sun Sep 28, 2008 at 12:24:00 PM EST
    John McCain was in the US Navy from 1958 (immediately after graduation from the Naval Academy) through 1981.
    About 23 years (I don't know which month he retired).

    I have not figured out the percentages for each man. But 23 years in a non-political career--

    Just sayin'.

    Parent

    "Obama is not a career politician" (none / 0) (#132)
    by lambert on Sun Sep 28, 2008 at 12:01:39 PM EST
    Well, Jeralyn, I think we'll just have to agree to differ on that one.

    Parent
    Huh? (none / 0) (#134)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 28, 2008 at 01:42:42 PM EST
    Sure, he is young and has not had a long career yet, but it has mostly been in politics.

    Not that there's anything wrong with that.

    Parent

    Absolutely. (none / 0) (#135)
    by bridget on Sun Sep 28, 2008 at 04:57:37 PM EST
    Every bit of that piece, as entertaining and over the top it was, described Obama perfectly.

    Apply it to McCain if you like - fine with me - but let's not be in denial after witnessing the last two and a half years of Obama campaign close-up and in detail. Esp. the Obama movement based only on personality. And his political run starts much much earlier. His move to Chicago was a political decision. Etc. etc. So That bit written above is all about him and nothing but ...

    Parent

    Happy Birthday, Jeralyn! (none / 0) (#5)
    by Edger on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 04:56:56 AM EST


    The "bailout" and Dems caving (none / 0) (#13)
    by Dadler on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 07:32:24 AM EST
    Of course it won't (none / 0) (#15)
    by rooge04 on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 07:52:54 AM EST
    God forbid Democrats in Congress actually do something right. Please please please let Pelosi get replaced.  She is AWFUL.

    Parent
    And this (none / 0) (#22)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:17:46 AM EST
    should surprise you exactly how? It's been the MO of these people for almost 2 years. I feel your disgust and raise you one.

    Parent
    Why should I want this again? (none / 0) (#72)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:15:27 AM EST
    Who will it help?

    Parent
    I thought they both did very well (none / 0) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:14:30 AM EST
    I also thought that Obama was the debate winner.

    I have the same fear. (none / 0) (#34)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:29:57 AM EST


    I thought both were weak in the debate. I don't (none / 0) (#37)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:31:54 AM EST
    really care about the eye contact/non-eye contact stuff.  I wanted to hear concrete details in their answers to the questions.  I thought both of them flunked on the economy questions.  McCain showed that he knows the world, a lot of history of what has happened in a large part of it, and I thought articulated his vision for conversation with rouge countries well.  Not that I agree with his policies, but he did well in those answers.  I thought Obama was all over the place in his answers sometimes, and agreed with McCain too many times.  I really don't want either of these men as president.  They both scare me.  McCain because of his views when it comes to fighting with other countries, and Obama because I really think he is not ready, doesn't have the necessary life experience and seems a little uneducated about much of our world's history. I have to agree with McCain that Obama is a little naive.

    You are the first person (none / 0) (#49)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:44:24 AM EST
    who I've heard say that. But that doesn't invalidate your opinion in any way.

    Parent
    The first person to say what? (none / 0) (#51)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:46:45 AM EST
     

    Parent
    that they both looked weak. (none / 0) (#60)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:54:37 AM EST
    Most commentators thought is was a vey strong debate in total.

    Parent
    Then I guess I expected more than most people. (none / 0) (#62)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:56:46 AM EST
    The Democratic debates were a lot better than the one last night.  

    Parent
    totally different vibe (none / 0) (#64)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:58:31 AM EST
    More discussion than debate even. But that is because they were both, essentially, on the same side.

    Parent
    I saw more fireworks among the Democrats (none / 0) (#67)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:02:54 AM EST
    and the Republicans in their nominating debates than I saw last night.  I wanted to see contrast and didn't get it.  I wanted to hear specifics on the economic questions and all I got was generalizations and stump talk. Neither impressed me as being ready to lead this country.  

    Parent
    That's totally different than what I saw. (none / 0) (#69)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:04:53 AM EST
    Perspective is interesting, no?

    Parent
    Yes, it is. I think my take idiffers because I'm (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:10:34 AM EST
    not in anyone's camp.  I'm waiting for them to convince me.  So I didn't watch the debate wishing/hoping that my guy did well and the other did poorly.  Not saying that you did, just that a lot of the "analysis" being done is extremely partisan.  

    Parent
    I definelty did (none / 0) (#74)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:20:26 AM EST
    At least you're honest! Many aren't. (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:25:20 AM EST
    I was just remembering (none / 0) (#93)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:56:42 AM EST
    how, during the primaries, commentators would talk about how, the colser the candidates positions, the more firey the campaigns, because they need to distingusih themselves somehow...so they fight harder about smaller points.

    Of course the policies of McCain and Obama are miles apart.

    Parent

    Just saw that Dana Milbank at the WP said the (none / 0) (#78)
    by Angel on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:28:14 AM EST
    debate was "Lukewarm."  Good description, IMO.

    Parent
    well, there you go! (none / 0) (#86)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:44:04 AM EST
    someboday mentioned racism (none / 0) (#83)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:41:51 AM EST
    and others want to ban the topic.

    this is one of the worst threads (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:11:20 PM EST
    I've seen on this site. Scribe started a way out of line discussion. I'm cleaning the threads.

    Someone else posted a ridiculously long screed from a book they wrote or their own site. That person has been banned and vaporized. This is a place for comments and discussion, not reprinting your own work or work of others published elsewhere.

    Parent

    Thanks (none / 0) (#127)
    by robrecht on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:16:38 PM EST
    Happy Birthday too, BTW!

    Parent
    I know. (none / 0) (#131)
    by coigue on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 08:11:22 PM EST
    I woke up this morning at 5am and my judgment was off for entering it.

    Parent
    I've liked Obama recently in ads and comments. (none / 0) (#129)
    by sallywally on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:49:19 PM EST
    I do fear that he owes too much to the Pelosi wing of the party. If he sticks with them, nothing will happen.

    It just disgusts me that they are willing to let go of the rewriting mortgages element. Will it end up just a complete bailout of the contemptible jerks who created this mess?