I Felt Sad
John McCain has made me pretty angry at times, during his campaign, for his unfairness, his misrepresentations, his distortions, and his willingness to agitate the Beast in his supporters. This was anything BUT leadership, as I see it.
But last night, during the encounter between him and Obama--I felt sad for him. He is a tired, broken old man. He means well, but he is woefully inadequate to the challenges of this time--and it should have been obvious to anyone, that he was simply outclassed by a younger, more informed, more articulate, and more centered candidate.
Watching him thrashing around, begging people to listen to his pleas, shuffling like an old man, trying out his lame little jokes, I felt embarrased for him, and my anger fell away. I felt like helping him into a wheelchair, and offering to get him some ice cream, maybe stroke his hair, and pat him on the head. He's through. Wheel him out on the front porch and let him get some fresh air.
But last night, during the encounter between him and Obama--I felt sad for him. He is a tired, broken old man. He means well, but he is woefully inadequate to the challenges of this time--and it should have been obvious to anyone, that he was simply outclassed by a younger, more informed, more articulate, and more centered candidate.
Watching him thrashing around, begging people to listen to his pleas, shuffling like an old man, trying out his lame little jokes, I felt embarrased for him, and my anger fell away. I felt like helping him into a wheelchair, and offering to get him some ice cream, maybe stroke his hair, and pat him on the head. He's through. Wheel him out on the front porch and let him get some fresh air.
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I do not like to see criticism of McCain that centers so much on his physical bearing because we know that his appearance has been shaped by the brutality of his past. It makes him look awkward and less vital than he really is. I don't hold that against him.
That said, his ideas and his vision are so clearly rooted in a past, a past he all too often mythologizes, that is almost totally irrelevant to our future. But of course, he is not running on his ideas, or his intellect, or his proven record. He is running on his own myth that is not the product of his greatness or ability but his really crappy luck. To be sure, McCain always had great ambition , but he has never been a great man, let alone an extraordinary legislator.
So now he is up against someone with real talent, great intellect and a vision for our future, and he can't measure up. It's killing him.
McCain is one of the most extraordinary pretenders of our time. I don't really feel sorry for him.
October 8, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I feel nothing but disgust. As uncomfortable as it is to watch another person implode, you reap what you sow. He deserves what he gets.
October 8, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
We all deserve what we get.
But Grace trumps Karma.
October 8, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lack of humility trumps grace. :)
October 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
In ancient Greece the balance of the natural order was personified by the Arcadian nymph Nicostrate or Themis. She symbolized not only earthly unity, but also the intrinsic balance of the universe itself. You have no doubt seen her image with the balancing scales because it has been adopted by the legal profession. It was Themis' statue that fundamentalist Attorney General John Ashcroft deemed obscene and had covered over at the Justice Department.(Or maybe it was that blond bible thumper)
The Greeks believed that when the harmonius order was violated the forces of righteous anger (Nemesis) and shame (Aidos) rose to right wrongs and reweave the web that had been rent. The Greeks saw the interplay of these forces as inherent in human nature and believed that they also moved naturally toward balance.
October 8, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for that.
October 8, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really think this "He means well" line that's echoing through the media is a load of crap.
If McCain meant well he wouldn't be heading such a craven, low road campaign.
October 8, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are conflating different things. If you want to demonise the man, go ahead. But in so doing you become exactly like his own supporters who demonize Obama. If that's your idea of a good time, knock yourself out. Let's here a little bit of Kill him! Or Traitor!
I came here to bury Caesar, Not to praise him.
October 8, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are also demonizing the man. No one challenges this visceral reaction on TPM because of the echo chamber. Post this on a right-of-center board and you will find a bunch of people who didn't get this reaction at all.
October 8, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thrashing around, pleading with people, shuffling, and making lame jokes makes for a kind of demon I have never seen in the history of Art. That sounds like it fails the 'Demon' test, to me. That sounds more like a man who is revealing the decline of his youthful power to command an audience, connect with them, and galvanize them--typically what one might expect a leader would do to inspire followers. He was trying very hard, and it was futile...
As far as his right wing supporters go--if they saw the God Appollo or Mars in all his divine splendor--well, you know, whatever. That's just them needing to create the myth of the 'Divine Caesar'. I don't need to make Gods and Monsters out of civil political leaders.
I see him as someone past his prime who is not much of a force to be reckon'd with...
October 8, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think we can yet afford sympathy for the devil (McCain), because he has proven that he's willing to risk getting Obama killed by stirring up hatred by his irresponsible rhetoric. And should he suceed, you can bet your bottom dollar that he won't take responsibility for his actions.
October 8, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not every misguided candidate for civil service who rabble rouses or foists bad policy deserves to be elevated to mythical Cosmic status.
This is not the battle between Ahriman and Ahura Mazda. I think expressions like 'sympathy for the devil' narrow perception rather than expand it. If you see him for what he is, he looks more like the little old Wizard of Oz than the towering demon from the end of Fantasia.
Hmm, I know how to stop this peckishness: Treason! Traitor! Banish him! Drive the Devil into the Sea! Find the snake in his hut and kill it! There. Does that feel better?
October 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
The man behind the curtain. Unprotected by his mystique. "I know what to do. I know what to do. I can't tell you, but I know what to do. Please won't anyone beleive me."
Now there's an image I endorse.
October 8, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is purely hypothetical, but my impression is based on what I have seen: If McCain had stumbled and fallen on the stage last night I have no doubt that Barack Obama would have run over and helped him up and truly felt badly for him. If Obama had fallen, I can just imagine McCain stifling a laugh. He is a hostile, angry man, and regardless of the fact that he is also not very intelligent or capable; he has no business in charge of our military and our futures.
October 8, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. I just don't see how anyone could look at McCain last night and be inspired by him, or feel confidence in him, or find anything about him that would make you want to march off behind any of his bullet points. You'd have to be some kind of political zombie to be his willing thrall.
October 8, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink