Pity the politician not blessed with JFK's charisma, or Bill Clinton's charm, or George W. Bush's "likeability." Because, for the press, personality is more important than issues. They'd rather analyze a candidate based not on what he stands for, but on whether (I've actually heard this discussed on cable news) he'd be fun to hang out with at a barbecue. And if a candidate isn't the type to flirt with the host's wife, or cannonball into the pool, he's going to be labeled a wonk. Or worse.
Thus, Al Gore lost in 2000 because he was "wooden" and "stiff." (Not charismatic.) Howard Dean was "angry" (not charming) because he pointed out that Bush's tax cuts were an illusion, and that the capture of Saddam made us no safer. And John Kerry is "cold" because -- well, because he doesn't drop his Gs when he's talkin', like Bush does.
And Peter Deutsch? What label can the media assign him? He just focuses tirelessly on the needs of the people who elected him, and that doesn't make good copy. Unlike his Democratic primary opponent, Alex Penelas, he doesn't abandon his principles for the sake of political expediency, and run away from a fight. So he must be … a fighter! Yeah, that's it! He's "abrupt," "combative" -- a "brawler" with a "brass-knuckle style."
Well, you know what? Peter has represented me in the House for 12 years. And I like having a guy up there who's fighting every day for me, my daughter and my parents. Combative? He damn well better be. Because the Republicans have declared war on ordinary Americans. These record federal deficits are no accident, no temporary aberration. They're a deliberate attempt, financed by tax cuts for the wealthy, to starve the programs that provide a measure of security for people careless enough to have to work for a living. Peter knows that. And he's fighting it with everything he's got.
Pundits look at Washington today and decry the partisanship, the loss of civility. But picture yourself in Congress. You want to do what's right for your country and your constituents. But you look around after less than four years of Bush and his congressional majority and see that millions of people have lost their jobs -- while Republicans encourage outsourcing. You see that those still working are not even keeping pace with inflation, and might lose their overtime -- while the salary gap between workers and corporate CEOs has surpassed 300-to-1. (In 1982, it was 42-to-1.) You see that more than 900 American troops have died in Iraq, along with uncounted thousands of Iraqis, in an undeclared war founded on lies, arrogance and incompetence.
How civil would you be?
Me, I don't want Miss Manners in the ring with the likes of Bill Frist and Rick Santorum. I want a fighter. Someone with a sharp mind and a warrior's heart. A graduate of Yale Law School and former high school wrestler? Perfect. And when the Democrats retake Congress and the White House, and this nation is no longer run by people who care little about ordinary people and even less about what America truly stands for, I'll invite Peter over for a barbecue.
I bet he does an awesome cannonball.
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