"I couldn't possibly fail to disagree with you less."
19 September 2006Regular guysOne political pitch I'm seeing more of these days runs something like this:
I found this ad from Burrage particularly funny. On the front, in an obviously posed photo, he's sitting in a porch rocker reading a newspaper and the caption says, "What makes this guy different from you?" On the inside, in huge letters it says, "NOTHING," then below that, in smaller letters, "And That's The Reason He's Our Best Choice For State Senate."
Really!? Someone "just like me" is the best choice for State Senate? Maybe I should run. The really funny — and insulting — thing about this is that Sean Burrage is not just like me. This ad is not aimed only at me, of course; it's aimed at everyone in his district. So is he saying that we are all alike? I know a few people besides myself who would take exception to that assumption. There's an unspoken assumption behind this to the effect that if you're not just like our candidate, well, you're weird, and we don't want your stinking vote anyway, you weirdo. (Well, actually, we do, but we'd prefer you didn't tell your wacky friends about it.) Burrage is a Democrat, but this ploy can also be found in the Republicans' toolbox. I got one today from Trebor Worthen, House District 87 incumbent, with the following shibboleth: "He Shares Our Values." Some of them, maybe; some of us, maybe. Do I want someone like me in the Legislature? Let's see: cheap so-and-so, check; principle before expediency, check; vicious, nasty demeanor, check and check again. Hmmm. When's the filing date for 2010? Posted at 7:44 PM to Political Science Fiction"I would never belong to a club that would have someone like me as a member." – Groucho Marx "Desire does not retreat. Unless, of course, you desire retreat." – Mister Snitch Posted by: Mister Snitch! at 8:03 PM on 19 September 2006 |