Fit To Print

So who likes long posts and parenthetical asides

May 16th, 2006

A couple days ago I watched a short documentary made in 2000 of Al Gore with his family. Filmed by Spike Jonze it was designed to flesh out the man’s identity, and show a much more palatable persona than the public is used to seeing. Here was Big Al as this beloved family man, with convictions and morals and even a personality that a lot of the country could get behind. His seriousness and boyscoutery seemed so endearing and marginal, good-naturedly mocked but also admired by his wife and kids. Oh yeah, he also came across as very presidential. Gravitas balanced out with some southern modesty and compassion. He had this sincere but wizened idealism that was really inspiring. So what’s the deal?

Gore’s daughter said he had a problem with the celebrity aspect of contemporary politics. Well so do I, Baby Gore, so do I. Covering celebrities/politicians is so often about creating and then reinforcing a certain image or persona. Trivial acts, mannerisms and traits are greatly exaggerated and over reported. Too much is made of things like say, oh, an awkwardly passionate kiss at the Democratic Convention ("by gosh, he’s just trying so hard to ditch that  emotionless robot") or a talking point repeated once too often ("he said lockbox twice this week, what a tiresome bore"). Using this standard, it becomes absurdly easy to build up or tear down anyone we wish ("Arnie took the H3 out over the H2 today. Such a trooper, doing his part for the environment").

So the Gorester is shier than your average bear and not particularly well-liked in the media. However, as MJ says, "don’t stop till you get enough." My man Al is back: Gore/Feingold 2008. Just like Tricky Dick, just like Rocky. Put up your dukes, America. Hahaha.

Entry Filed under: Politics