Those of you who know me know I came to active Democratic politics through The West Wing, through the inspiration I experienced in savoring the brilliant administration of President Bartlet. I have a complete West Wing set on DVD, and I can’t recall a show when I didn’t come away with a special insight or inspiration. Often, there were several!
Tonight I am thinking about a conversation between Bartlet and Toby Ziegler as the presidential re-election campaign against Gov. Ritchie was getting started. In this scene (below the fleur de kos!), Toby sets the tone for the entire campaign with a bold leadership thrust.
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TOBY
You're a good father, you don't have to act like it. You're the President, you don't have to act like it. You're a good man, you don't have to act like it. You're not just folks, you're not plain-spoken... Do not - do not - do not act like it!
BARTLET
I don't want to be killed.
TOBY
Then make this election about smart, and not... Make it about engaged, and not. Qualified, and not. Make it about a heavyweight. You're a heavyweight. And you've been holding me up for too many rounds.
(From
West Wing Transcripts. I really loved how Toby got in the little 'dig' at the end about Bartlet staying too close to the middle. I've felt that way so many times.)
Of course, now we are coming to debates between President Obama, smart, Romney, not. President Obama, engaged, Romney not. President Obama qualified, Mitt Romney, not. President Obama, heavyweight. Mitt Romney, featherweight.
(Here I’m hosting TC on Wednesday night, like anyone’s going to come and dialogue THERE when the debate is live! ::wink:: )
I was thinking about that West Wing episode in the context of a Time blog posting I read yesterday, wherein the Romney campaign is fervently engaged in the process of lowering expectations for Romney in the debates. Of course, the ideal for them is if the American public considers it a Romney ‘win’ if he pronounces his name correctly with the cameras rolling.
The memo in question was written and put out by Beth Myers, a Senior Advisor to the Romney campaign. Astonishing, isn’t it?! They don't believe or have confidence in their own guy! Perhaps they should vote for President Obama! That would be my recommendation for them. Then they could support a candidate who can not only win debates, but who can accomplish something when it comes to governing this country.
I don’t blame them for lacking confidence in Romney. He doesn’t know who he is, himself, how could they know who he is? He doesn’t know his position on the issues. It depends on whether he’s with a tea party crowd or an AARP crowd or a Mormon crowd ... the positions change just that fast and that frequently. But that doesn’t work so easily or conveniently in a debate. And Obama is smart, engaged and qualified. Of course Romney is not going to come off well. Obama is a heavyweight. Mitt Romney is so incredibly NOT.
President Obama has a vision for America. Mitt Romney can only see the pervasiveness of his own personal ambition. That is indeed a huge contrast, that the debates will naturally highlight. Personally, I can’t wait! But I understand your dread, Beth Myers, and your sense of foreboding. You’ve backed the wrong horse. Once again.
In a very real sense, they are already working to lower expectations for a hypothetical Romney presidency (two words which should NEVER appear together!), and it's understandable why. He isn't up to the job. Never will be.
Something in the memo’s last paragraph resonated with me. Myers wrote:
This election will not be decided by the debates, however. It will be decided by the American people. Regardless of who comes out on top in these debates, they know we can't afford another four years like the last four years.
Agreed, Beth Myers. We need a Democratic Congress to end the stonewalling and obstructionism of Republicans utterly devoid of ideas and public spirit. With a Democratic Congress, President Obama can set this nation right, on the path to social justice, high employment and greater prosperity for all, equitably, fairly. Couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for helping us make that case! Very considerate!
On to tonight's comments! Graciously and expertly compiled and formatted by brillig!
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From N in Seattle, just past last night's deadline:
Cartoon Peril posted the iconic photo of the Hindenburg, I mean Romneyburg, disaster in Friday's Cheers and Jeers. In response, nom de plume posted this absolutely perfect quickie of a reply.
From NWTerriD:
In Little's diary What Ann Romney Did NOT Say Crashing Vor entreats the Romneys to just give up on the idea of a Romney presidency, arguing that they as well as we would be happier that way.
From tonight's host, BeninSC:
I suspect this comment by uniqity will appear in tomorrow's Top Mojo list, but it deserves attention tonight while it is recommendable. Arch-conservatives have strange and terrible ideas about what constitutes 'freedom.'
You have to read this comment by Missys Brother to understand the context of this fine comment by Kevvboy.
Top Mojo for yesterday, September 28th, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you
mik for the mojo magic!
1) It's been proven that a President doesn't have... by MsLibrarian — 188
2) "I know you're Jewish, but pray with me, Henry." by Crashing Vor — 187
3) Just Stop It by Puddytat — 159
4) Yes, it Matters for Mittens is Failing Miserably by JekyllnHyde — 151
5) I know this is satire, but... by NJInd — 141
6) Unfortunately, she's pointed at him. by Smoh — 139
7) What Mets Said by JekyllnHyde — 132
8) Good luck! by Dallasdoc — 129
9) He is not qualified to be President. by David54 — 122
10) Ann's husband is a delicate American rose. by alkatt — 117
11) Was Ann projecting? BTW by War on Error — 114
12) A Special Place is Reserved in Hell by JekyllnHyde — 113
13) My dad was practicing when Roe v Wade by OrdinaryIowan — 107
14) Election Fraud in Floriduh? I'm Shocked! by JekyllnHyde — 106
15) Thurston & Lovey: the gifts that keep on giving. by Railfan — 100
16) Mental health should never, ever be brought up by linnie — 96
17) But how much will it take by Dallasdoc — 92
18) The debates cannot help him by Demi Moaned — 92
19) The 47% comments are like Ford's debate comments by RFK Lives — 91
20) Mustn't disturb his beautiful mind by Dallasdoc — 86
21) Yeah,... You know I heard on POTUS radio this by volleyboy1 — 85
22) Yep, by KHKS — 84
23) FL Supremes threw Gore a lifeline on 12/8/00 by RFK Lives — 83
24) Come on MSNBC after 5 pm by secret38b — 79
25) Wow. by journeyman — 77
26) GREAT diary. What we all suspected. by Eman — 76
27) I forget who it was that made the jokes... by Mets102 — 72
28) Please note, though, that Romney's stated reasons by Tamar — 71
29) He started going downhill in '08 by MKSinSA — 71
30) Sadly, it's Friday by Puddytat — 71
Top Pictures for yesterday, September 28th. Click any image to be taken to the full comment. Thank you
jotter for the image magic!