I remember in 8th grade at Dixieland Elemtary School, mom met with my teacher, Mr. Gonzalez after school on some of the state test scores. I did fairly well on most of the categories - science, math, reading - you know, the usual. But when it came down to political science and government, I bombed worse than Ostertag at the free-throw line. If I recall correctly, his prediction to mom was that I wouldn't be anywhere near politics or government when I got older. Well, he was only half right, sort of.
For the last couple of months I've been following the whole political circus anywhere I can find it. Under this big top bonanza, I've seen more than my share of clowns. On the democratic side (which I haven't followed as closely as the republican side), Obama has set himself as the feel-good candidate. Every one of his post-primary speeches ends with some girl in the background crying as if Sanjaya just took the stage at a sweet sixteen party. What does he stand for except hope? No one knows. Billary is Billary and they're both still trying to find their voices. Kucinich left the race which must have been devastating to Nick. Richardson is still at the second debate naming off all 854 countries he's visited. I think Edwards knew every "single-mom-raising-four-kids-and-doesn't-have-heating-oil" person in the United States.
On the right, we have Paul, who actually has some decent things to say. Right now he's like Ross Perot meets Mr. McGoo, which makes it difficult to take him seriously. Huckleberry, I have to come to realize, is my arch-nemesis. I know you're really only allowed one arch-nemesis in life and I have had maybe four or five over my lifetime. But I have to add him right in front of Tory (Saved by the Bell). For a Baptist minister and self-proclaimed Doctor in Theology to not know the answer to the "Satan/Jesus brothers" question left me a little vexed. If I were his congregation, I would demand my money back; most evangelicals know that this is one of the
"50 questions to ask a Mormon", why wouldn't
he know. And that's the problem - he knew exactly what he was doing. He also thinks people want a president that "remind them of the person they work with, not the person that laid them off." I guess I don't fit that mold because I don't really want any of my co-workers running this country. I don't want the guy I say hi to at the Pizza place downtown to be running this country or the guy that sleeps with his eyes open on the bus every morning on the way to work. I want someone who has actually run something - but that's just me I guess. So while Huckabee and Edwards fought over who would win the Populist of the Year award, McCain started surging. As you know, McCain is a maverick, a title bequeathed by the media when republicans reach across the proverbial aisle. A democrat that does this is a traitor (just kidding...no, but seriously). He's done a little more than reaching, but that's been debated ad naseum so I won't go there. Suffice it to say that illegal immigration is here to stay and if you don't like it you're a racist and just need to "calm down". A couple of months ago he tried to make everyone feel like Don Imus on the set of a Snoop Dog video if you disagreed with him amnesty bill. His straight talk about other candidates' position on withdrawal from Iraq right before the Florida primary was disheartening but not surprising. If he wins, it's another four years of George Bush. Congratulations Republican party - you've nominated someone who has "managed for patriotism, not for profit." Stick that on a resume in the real world and see how far you go.
Which brings me to Mitt Romney. Before I go further, I should say that I was (am) a supporter. It's the first time I've ever donated to a campaign (I'm still waiting for my t-shirt). I know some of you might say, well, it's just cause he's Mormon. For me, it transcended religion (which is more than I can say for a lot of his antagonists) - I hadn't decided on anyone until early December. I liked what he said, I liked what he did, and what he stood for. You can imagine then how I felt after Pooper Tuesday and then yesterday's announcement of his withdrawal from the race. I felt like I had lost a family member. If Andre Kirilenko had been around, I might have asked him for a handkerchief. Dramatic, I know, but I was upset and my mind was hazy for the next 12 hours - kind of like watching a snowstorm on Versus.
The most I had personally invested in any political race before this year was in this same eighth grade class at Dixieland Elementary School. I was running for 7th and 8th grade (Junior High) Class President against a girl in the 7th grade. We had our speeches in the cafeteria and I made the usual campaign promises, more dances, more sports activities, and better communication between administrators and students. I knew I said all the right things and even believed them. I memorized my speech. I almost took Clint's advice, promising chocolate milk in the drinking fountains but thought it might be a little too risky. My speech was head and shoulders above the other girl's. She giggled and stumbled through her speech, folding and unfolding her notes. She did everything not to do during a speech, except highlight the prowess of the San Dimas High School football team. I, on the other hand, had all the ideas, sound principles and a good rapport among those who knew me. I was cruising....or so I thought. I didn't realize it until it was too late. Election day came.
I was stunned when my name wasn't announced over the intercom. My mouth was dry. I needed a drink. It felt like it was fast sunday and I had eaten pizza the night before. My name wasn't called and I was relegated to playing the whole "I didn't want it anyway" schtick to my classmates. I tried laughing it off but I was embarrased to the core. How could I have lost?
The parallel of mine and Romney's run for the presidency and eventual defeat is eerily apparent, in this observer's humble opinion. Much like Romney, I never ended up connencting with the voters. There were two 7th grade classes and one 8th grade class. Her base was stronger than mine and I failed to connect with the 7th graders. I was outnumbered two to one and failed to do anything about. Failed to see that I needed to do something about it. Those that followed the race and understood the ramifications of a Tustison presidency were inclined, nay, impelled to vote for me out of sure principle. Anecdotal evidence afterward led me to believe that most 7th graders that voted for her did so out of sheer friendship and popularity (or the establishment if you will). I should have noticed it after they practically gave her a standing ovation after her speech - I thought they were just glad to see her be done. That 7th grade girl got the popularilty vote. Principle versus Popularity. In that battle, popularity will win nine times out of ten, especially in 8th grade politics, or national politics for that matter. Unfortunate for me. Unfortunate for Mitt.
Well, life goes on and now I can move on (at least that's what I keep telling myself) which takes me back to that parent-teacher conference between mom and Mr. Gonzalez. He is half right - I'm in government, but out of politics...at least until 2012.
