"It seems odd that a person [Kerry] running for the highest office in the land doesn't have a defining reason for his candidacy, but it's easier to understand when you realize that he wants to be president much more than he cares about advancing a particular policy agenda."
- David Limbaugh, "Liberalism, Kerry's wartime handicap."
".J.'s sitting in her chair, Josh is lying on the couch, and Donna's sitting in the chair opposite C.J. Josh states, "'This is a time of dizzying progress around the world. I'm running for re-election 'cause I want to make sure that all our people can share in twenty-first century jobs...'" C.J.: "'Jobs and industries we can't even imagine today...bring the benefits of new medical advancements to all our families...'" Josh: "'And harness new technology and the internet as a force for faster economic growth...'" ["The internet and economic growth? In the same sentence? Good luck with that." -- Wing Chun] C.J.: "'Better education and a freer exchange of ideas around the world.'" Josh says, "Yes." C.J. says, "There it is." Josh decides, "That's fine." Donna, however, is of another mind; her sole comment is a bilabial fricative. (You know, a Bronx cheer. A raspberry.) She looks up and smiles apprehensively. Josh asks, "You want to say something?" She says she doesn't. Josh says, "I thought it was --" and gives a bilabial fricative. He argues, "It's got crisp, commanding phrases, it's got active verbs like 'harness,' it paints a picture of the future..." Donna asks, "That's why somebody wants to become President? Medical research and the internet?" Josh admits, "She's got a point." C.J. offers, "Sometimes you get your face on a coin." Josh sits up and puts his hand to his head. "Okay...this shouldn't be hard."
- Television Without Pity's recap of the West Wing Episode "Gone Silent."
What makes a man want to be president? Why have our presidents, good and bad, decided to run? Well, in Mr. Limbaugh's case, one would suspect a simple answer. Good Presidents (read Republican and JFK, maybe) decided to run because they love their country and wanted to support it. Bad Presidents (particularly Clinton and now Kerry) want to be president just so they can have power and to gratify their egos. I don't know why Republicans are immune to these ignoble desires to be President, but apparently they are.
It's a neat argument, because it appeals to our cynical side. Kerry claims to want to run for President to protect America and improve the economy, but doesn't it make more sense that he wants to be President so that he can, as C.J. says, get his face on a coin? Feel powerful? Be powerful? And it's an equal opportunity argument. Maybe you're a liberal; doesn't it make sense that President Bush wants to be President so that he can enjoy being President?
Of course it's an argument that relies on compartmentalism. You have to believe that your guy really is motivated by a love of country; while the other guy is motivated by base reasons. Or else you could become cynical and assume the whole barrel is full of bad apples, but at least your guy is your bad apple.
Or just give up on politics and politicians. Which, I have to admit, is occasionally an attractive option.
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