Are you becoming more like your candidate?

[Byronic]

Yes, this is a little flippant, but there is a kernel of truth to my apparently foolish words.

I noticed this in late 2003. Back then I was a massive John Kerry supporter, and, like so many people on this board, was voracious for information on the candidate of my choice. I would read every article on him I could find, devoured books which mentioned him, and watch every video clip of him available.

Then I realized I had a problem.

I speak in public an awful lot and I was giving a talk to a college at Oxford when, without noticing it until half way through, I began using Kerryisms. My speech pattern became suspiciously like his, and I even, at one point, used that big booming "I believe..." that the good Senator started so many sentences with.

Will it happen this time around?

Perhaps I will soon be calling everybody 'man'.

Perhaps I will constantly reference old, slightly corny, sayings that my parents used to say.

Perhaps I will start saying 'Ladies and Gentlemen' a lot.

Perhaps I will develop a powerful urge to slap Rudy Giuliani around. (I think I already have this one)

Perhaps I will insist on using public transport rather than driving to work.

Perhaps I will start being able to talk for 5 or 6 days straight at a time, about every policy under the sun, mixed with some homely anecdotes.

Perhaps I will become the best damn candidate in this race whether people realize it or not.

Oops...Sorry about the last one. That just pops out sometimes ;)

[CyberPieHole]

1. thanks for the chance at levity...

I have not chosen a definitive candidate, but I find myself being overly protective of my spouse (I am, of course single), I take issue with attacks on NAFTA (I am personally opposed to it myself) questions of indiscretions and pecadillos set me into a tizzy, while in real life I want exact descriptions of every sexual maneuver and, if possible, photos, or better yet, video.

So, yes, I am an addict of Political junk.


I am not even ready to consider a 12 step program...I am in the "lost weekend" period. For now, please let me enjoy in peace.


CyberPieHole:hi:

[Byronic]

11. Ah, the relative relaxed state of having no candidate.

It is certainly good for the nerves to have no fixed candidate at this stage. There must be something quite nice about strolling into the voting booth on election day and deciding there and then.

I am cursed by usually choosing a candidate pretty early in the process and then following their progress, like a rollercoaster, until, with the grim inevitability of Greek tragedy, they lose. (although, at least with the primaries, I finally got lucky with Kerry last time).

Enjoy your peace CyberPieHole :hi:

[CyberPieHole]

2. Kick and recommend.

[AtheistInBabylon]

3. Spot on, Byronic...

I know exactly what you're talking about. In the heat of the campaign one goes around thinking of one's candidate so much and with so much fervor, hope and expectation on a daily, nay, hourly basis that one slowly starts to emulate the candidate more and more - or at least try to, both consciously and subconsciously. It's not an isolated phenomenon, either; if you look around DU, you'll find that many people respond to questions or attacks or generally just make comments similar to the manner in which their candidate does, e.g. some are outraged they could even be challenged and organize smear campaigns against other posters, others try to be diplomatic all the time without being able to nail a point, still others hate the system so much they would hate to have the chance to change it... you know what I mean.

It was the same for me as you described with JK four years ago and it's the same for me with Biden this time around; one can only hope one does them justice when "representing" them (hell, maybe I can even get accused of plagiarizing! :) ). Under any circumstances both Kerry and Biden are excellent influences in terms of public speaking.

[Byronic]

7. Indeed!

Only when blind drunk could I possibly have a speaking style that resembles a sober George W Bush.

Biden and Kerry? Now that's something to aspire to!

[wyldwolf]

4. do I have a desire to beat the GOP at all costs? Yep.

[dmallind]

5. Nah

My Spanish still sucks and I still think homosexuality is genetic ;) Seriously, and sadly though, I think I am actually a better orator than my candidate of choice, which may explain why we have somewhat equivalent chances of winning. Then again I was a Tsongas fan too so I'm used to both those things. Come to think of it only in Clinton's run after Tsongas dropped out, and in his re-election coasting, did I avoid both!

[Byronic]

8. I was a Tsongas fan too

It turned out okay with President Clinton, but I remember being SO disappointed when Tsongas's campaign came to an end.

When you get so involved and emotionally wrapped up in a candidacy it hurts like hell when it ends in defeat.

Paul Tsongas: as my current candidate would no doubt say "God bless him."

[riqster]

6. I've always been a lot like Kucinich

I'm a blunt sonsofabitch, piss a lot of people off, am tight with my dysfunctional family, and have a circle of friends that goes back for decades. More than one marriage, too. Not only that, but my GF is a Brit. (I knew mine before he met his, but we'll cut him some slack.)

I have had my job for quite a while, now, that in spite of the fact that I am unqualified on paper. ('Unelectable') I am the guy who gets the tough jobs, because every now and then, you need a competent, straight-shooting worker instead of some smooth talking guy in a nice suit. Integrity is entirely too rare and insufficently recompensed, but always valued in the end.

Interesting question, actually. Thanks for posting this topic!

[murbley40]

9. I think I do share some traits in a much less important way...

I am very outspoken and as a result sometimes put my foot in it. I refuse to take crap from anybody . I grew up much like him, I think we may have had the same electric company cut off man. LOl

[polichick]

10. Lol...

Suddenly I'm very happy that I have no candidate.