"Can a Bull Elk in Rut Pass through the Eye of a Camel?"

[existentialist]

Such was, back in the day (1972) the title of one of the stories filed by Hunter S. Thompson as Political Affairs editor of Rolling Stone Magazine in his coverage of the 1972 campaign season; these stories were then compiled into his book "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72".


His immediate focus was why a McGovern-Kennedy ticket, although it made superficial political sense, would never happen.

His deeper point, however, was that anyone for whom it was remotely possible to come within the realm of reasonable political viability as a presidential candidate, was pretty much certain to be a highly developed political animal, with major ego issues. His immediate focus was Edward Kennedy, and his immediate answer was that Kennedy had too much of an ego to play second fiddle to McGovern.

Actually, the one politician of the day who arguably did not have the major ego issues, and who was arguably close to being a viable candidate for President, was George McGovern, whom, as Hunter Thompson repeatedly pointed out, Bobby Kennedy had described as, "the most decent man in the Senate."

But who today, among our candidates, (any party) does not have major ego issues?


How is it even possible--is it even possible--for anyone to have a realistic shot at becoming president who doesn't desperately need to be, at least metaphorically speaking, taken out to the woodshed and given a good thrashing--preferably on a regular basis?

What does this say about the stability of our political institutions?

Somehow I find it very difficult to get past this difficulty to enthusiastically support anyone.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. The few without ego issues bail out early

after just a glance at what it means to run. Feingold is a classic example.

[Rock_Garden]

2. 'Twas ever thus.

[jody]

3. I do know that an elephant in musk in the Oval Office for two terms can destroy a democracy & rights

fought for and preserved for over 230 years.

[existentialist]

4. You have that right

And, I guess one point that might be derived from my post, is that when it comes right down to it the legislative branch is, must be if democracy is to survive, more important that the executive branch.

[xchrom]

5. but that's life -- nureyev had an ego -- rubenstein had an ego.

politics is the art of compromise -- and survival.

we will always have to pick from a cast of characters who have very human weaknesses.

although i will say this -- this is where a commitment to ideals begins to play a role.

and why it's important to support progressives who manage to do the best job of holding on to them.
there isn't anything that will be perfect -- but we can through voting and putting pressures on our leaders for publicly financed elections come a good deal closer.

[existentialist]

6. You remind me of President Kennedy in his inaugural address:

(please forgive a probable misquote)

"And I asked Mr. Frost to be here today, and to say a few words, . . .

'Power, by its very nature corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

. . .

but while power corrupts, poetry cleanses."

[jody]

7. Senator JFK gave the graduation speech when I finished college. What a speech. n/t

[liberalhistorian]

8. And that was a very powerful part

of his speech, as well. He was truly well-rounded in the way that presidents should be; everything interested him and his insatiable curiosity prompted him to learn more about everything; he rarely thought that he "knew it all" and didn't need to be corrected or better informed. Unlike the current child occupying the WH, unless you wanna count re-reading My Pet Goat in order to pick up any extra nuances in the pictures that he may have missed in the first fifty readings.

JFK did, no doubt, have his "ego" issues as well, but I think he managed to handle them pretty well. A certain amount of "ego" issues is necessary in order to have any kind of success at politics, frankly.

So, new hubby, ya want me to make you your dinner now? Hard to believe we've already been married two weeks and one day, isn't it? :loveya: :loveya:

[existentialist]

12. Now how long do you suppose,

before this leaks out and is generally known on DU.

[liberalhistorian]

13. Well, I think it's already known to some!

But I think we can handle it; it's not like it's some great state secret or something. Now excuse me while I go finish our laundry. :evilgrin: :bounce: :bounce:

[xchrom]

9. this is for you --

from "Asphodel, That Greeny Flower"
by William Carlos Williams

to read the whole poem go here -- http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15541


My heart rouses

thinking to bring you news

of something

that concerns you

and concerns many men. Look at

what passes for the new.

You will not find it there but in

despised poems.

It is difficult

to get the news from poems

yet men die miserably every day

for lack

of what is found there.

Hear me out

for I too am concerned

and every man

who wants to die at peace in his bed

besides.

[existentialist]

10. "That which passes for news

"these days is gossip--including the most recent French revolution."

Henry David Thoreau, "Walden"

[xchrom]

11. lol -- coulda been written today. -- that was funny. nt