-=> Quoting Mike Angwin to Walter Luffman <=-
 WL>offices.  I just don't want politicians who "homestead" in
 WL>one office for decades at a time, or anyone who spends an
 WL>entire working life as a politician.
 MA> 
 MA> I agree withthat sentiment.  Those who have spent decades in
 MA> political office very much tend to lose track to what it's like out
I won't go so far as to endorse razing Washington and moving
the nation's capital to another point, but I _would_ support
requiring Congress to find (and use) a *temporary* alternate
location for at least one month per session; the location
should change to a different state each session, and could
even include such places as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands and a non-federal location within the District itself.
Requiring Congress to use temporary facilities away from its
usual home would: weaken their ties to lobbyists, if only for
a little while; irritate their paid staff so much that at
least some might seek employment elsewhere; boost the economy
of the temporary site; leave behind lots of "congressional
grade" furnishings and other trappings of office, which could
then be used by various federal, state and local government
agencies; do wonders for the transportation industry if/when
Congress convenes in a "dry" jurisdiction; remind our
Congresscritters what _real_ Americans are like by casting
them in among us; and (perhaps most important of all) expose
real Americans to Congresscritters so we can see what our
elected officials are like when they are allegedly working
on our behalf.
Okay, it ain't gonna happen.  But it sure makes for a sweet
daydream.
 MA> here in the real world.  Career politicians are experts at compromise,
 MA> they have to be to be what they are, but they are generally totally
 MA> ineffectual at digging in their heels over a principle and taking a
 MA> tough stand.  The moment the polls slump they sway ends like a horse
 MA> trying to run on ice and start peddeling the other way. 
Compromise is an art; and like all arts, one must know enough
to stop when nothing more needs to be done.
 WL>In all honesty, Ike was a politician-of-sorts when he was
[...]
 MA> True, but military leaders also have to demonstrate leadership
 MA> and use reason in their judgements.  Legislators only have to be good
 MA> at making people believe they are doing something.  If a General fails
 MA> to perform the results become obvious.  
Absolutely no argument.  In fact, you point out why some
otherwise-qualified military personnel fail to be promoted
into the upper grades; and conversely, why (and how) some
politicians become statesmen.
 WL>Incumbent Senators have a built-in advantage, since their
 WL>six-year terms sometimes allow them to run for the
 WL>presidency without having to simultaneously defend their
[...]
 MA> Senators though, with the exception of JFK, haven't really been
 MA> that sucessful getting elected president on their own.  FDR wasn't a
Good point.  Maybe that "advantage" isn't such an advantage
for Senators after all.
Although I was only 11 years old when he was elected, I
don't think even JFK played that much on his Senate
accomplishments; he was played more as the young, vigorous
war hero and family-man who just coincidentally had
experience in government.
 MA> unlikely, would probably win.  Of the Governor's currently with their
 MA> hats in the ring, or at least close to it, I really think Bush is, by
 MA> far, the most likely to be the next president.
We don't hear much about George W. Bush here in Tennessee
these days; but that may be a good thing, since it's
dangerous for a candidate/potential candidate to peak in
popularity until well into the campaign season.
 MA> Then again, last time around, I had put my money on Gramm at
 MA> this point.  Shows how little I know.
I leaned toward Alexander as a "favorite son" who did a
good job running Tennessee for two terms; but this early
in the last election cycle, I really didn't have any strong
feelings toward any of the candidates.  Same now -- I just
don't know enough this early in the cycle to know who's
serious about running and where they stand on the issues.
 MA> I really can't see Bush Jr. taking a back seat like Bush Sr. did.
Okay, I'll buy your reasoning.  Think Forbes might fit
into the back seat and help the campaign fly?
 WL>early in his political career.  The country, myself
 WL>included, pays too much attention to what people say (and
 WL>how they say it) rather than what they actually do (or
 WL>intend to do).  
 MA> 
 MA> You are right about what ought to be, unfortunately, it ain't.
 MA> Those running for office impress people by their speech and public
True.  As far as most voters go, we'd might as well be
casting a game-show host.  
 MA> by Slick Willie and it hurt him.  Perot was definately hurt by his VP
 MA> choice the first time around as well. 
Political campaigns, especially debates and Q&A sessions,
are essentially competency hearings for the candidates.
Perot came across as more than just "refreshingly but
harmlessly eccentric"; right or wrong, he damaged his
chances almost every time he went before cameras or
microphones.  Even sadder, his campaign's failure to
rehearse Admiral Stockdale adequately before the VP
candidates' debate made him look even less suitable for
the number-two slot than he -- probably -- acutally was.
 MA> It's not appealing to me, but without backing into the
 MA> presidency, the ticket is going to have to have people with that
 MA> personal appeal if it's going to be a serious run for the presidency.
 MA> Otherwise, like last time around, I get the feeling we are just going
 MA> through the motions with no expectation of winning from the start.
Clinton and Gore were a "yuppie's dream team" on the
surface...and that's as far as most people wanted to look
in 1992.  They were both in the right age group, and
between them seemed to offer something nearly every
baby-boomer could identify with.  I've never considered
either man especially handsome...better looking than me
perhaps, but that's not exactly praise...and while Tipper
is somewhat attractive, her position on music censorship
turned me off.  Hillary never appealed to me in any way
at all, not even as a cookie-baker.
 WL>considered the regional-balance angle, though.
 MA> 
 MA> I think it's still a factor, though not as big as it once was. 
 MA> Gore is from Tennessee and Clinton from Arkansas.  That's not exactly
 MA> a regionally balanced ticket for much beyond the Mississippi Valley
 MA> Siding Salesman Association.  
If Gore had been from West Tennessee instead of East
Tennessee, I think more people would have suspected their
worthiness based simply on proximity.  But this is a
long, skinny state, and Gore's people made a big point
(in some markets, at least) of pointing out that he was
from _East_ Tennessee.
(Where I live, they just pounded on the fact that a fellow
Tennesseean was running, and conveniently failed to stress
which office he was running for.  Clinton was all but
forgotten in Tennessee's Clinton/Gore campaign advertising.
Them Democrats is smart!)
 MA> Texas is next door too and I really didn't consider hiom a
 MA> serious contender.  Think back to 1992 though.  Was it really a year
 MA> the Democrats actually planned to win?
No way.  By the time they realized they had a chance, they
had only one viable candidate still in contention...and he
was by no means their biggest gun, he was just a name to
run against Bush.
 MA> Bush was riding a high tide
 MA> after Desert Storm and during the primary season looked unbeatable.
Ninety-one percent approval ratings will do that!
 MA> Dole's
 MA> nomination was a retirement party for an aging patriarch. Election, as
 MA> with Clinton, was neven considered very likely.
While I wanted Dole to win (I wanted _anyone_ besides
Clinton to win in '96!), I have to agree with your
conclusion that the GOP didn't consider him a candidate
with a real chance of winning.  The party leadership
absolutely _must_ find a viable candidate and get firmly
behind him/her this year if the GOP is to win back the
White House in 2000.
Walter, Forked Deer River Ilks
wluffman@usit.net
... Incompetence is forgivable. Allowing it to continue isn't.
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