In the past several weeks John McCain has been playing his own form of class warfare, painting Obama as a smooth talking intellectual, that looks down on the common man. The latest play is the infamous "Joe the Plumber" episode which McCain pounced on. The whole discussion about Joe took a different direction but the gist of the exchange between him and Obama illustrated a lack of understanding by Obama of the concerns of a large portion of the American population.
The more important question is whether being an great speaker and communicator is an asset or a liability? Obviously if you are a Democrat it is a great asset. The Republicans are trying to demonize it because their candidate just doesn't have it and never will. I believe that is what got Bill Clinton elected twice because that is what Democrats (and many Americans) need from their President; great speeches to inspire them to drag their lazy asses to the polls. Republicans have a whole different set of motivations and really wouldn't know what to do with a Huckabee as their nominee. So, if you believe the polls, it seems to be working for the Dems this year.
One other question that this raises is whether eloquence equals intelligence? I have heard many great preachers that could give wonderful, inspiring sermons that really work up the crowd but in getting to know them realize that they are dumber than a rock. A command of the language is not necessarily a command of the facts. To judge a persons' intellect by their speaking ability would be a mistake.
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Nah, what has drug my "lazy ass" to the polls the past several elections is a lack of satisfaction with the status quo. I don't believe much that comes out of a politician's mouth, whether it is well-spoken or awkwardly spoken promises...they are probably both lies. Also, politicians usually have speech-writers and tele-prompters, so it's hard to judge anything by their speeches.
But come on, do you really not judge people based on day to day interactions and the manner in which they speak? If someone uses incorrect or poor English, do you really not consider them less intelligent? Okay, maybe "less educated" is more accurate. I find that hard to believe.
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