EXCERPT:
An O'Donnell win proves anyone can run for anything: you don't need no stinkin' merit badges or qualified resume, no character references (quite the contrary), only "values movement" sound bites and a solid born-again redemption history. Born Catholic, the sinner lapsed badly in college (sexual promiscuity and drugs, oh my!) then, guilt-ridden, went whole-hog born-again Protestant, only to recycle herself back in the devout Catholic fold. There's more consistency here than elsewhere in her life.
Such gyrations fit the classic hustler bio, not knowing who you are, trying out everyone else's coat to see how it fits. Then finding an objective that fits insatiable ambition, she finds the salvation narrative that ties up her many loose ends. Like W. Only recently she merged personal ruthlessness with nothing less than divine will: "During the primary, I heard the audible voice of God. He said, 'Credibility.' It wasn't a thought in my head." What thoughts are in your head, then? How did God inform you, osmosis?
How simple, delightful, how convenient. How scary. Electing this empty vessel, replenished by the audible voice of God (in stereo?), fulfills historian Nancy L. Cohen's dread: "If you liked Rovian anti-gay marriage referendums, the Terry Schiavo saga, anti-abortion litmus tests for diplomatic service in a war zone, and creationism in the Grand Canyon bookstore, you'll love this season's Tea Party candidates."
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment