January is chock-full of political happenings. A voyeur, this girl loves to watch faces and reactions in debates, speeches and news conferences. I am especially keen on watching the people behind the people.
When Boehner resigned in September, my thoughts were not with the stability of the House. My first thoughts were, “Damn, who am I going to watch during the State of the Union?” Paul Ryan reluctantly took the post and provided not nearly as much fun but somehow managed to move that big silver thing from partially obstructing his face.
It was a surprise, then, when the next morning on twitter, a woman posts, “Wipe that smile off your face Paul Ryan.” Not only did the man not wear a smirk, he was a master of immobility throughout the hour plus a bit. Perhaps faces and reactions are, as with most things, in the eye of the beholder.
During the recent Democratic Debate, Hillary disappointed. Remember that softened, new likeable Hillary? Not so much. The Hillary of old came out to play. She’s still as exciting as her pantsuits and as truthful as a three-year-old with a hand in the cookie jar. But there is no debating her bravado and determination.
Bernie Sanders’ laid back kindness toward her is a surprise. He defended her in an earlier debate when conversation reached back to her emails. He is a gracious campaigner—a surprise given that divisiveness is so en vogue. Can you say Donald Trump?
In Sunday’s debate, Hillary took a few shots at Sanders. Expected. It is a campaign. Each time she fired a cannon, she smiled, seemingly pleased as any campaigner might be. Cannon shots are loud and echo throughout the land. Those watching have little trouble recognizing when one’s been fired. But isn’t public gloating in bad taste? Isn’t it always better to save the squealing and jumping up and down for later? With your best dolls? And wine?
On the other side of the aisle, Sarah Palin came forward to endorse Donald Trump. And he accepted. Word has it she might be the “very special guest” he’s bringing to Ames. Crazy is as crazy does. Perhaps we can look forward to abstinence lectures with a grandchild on each hip.
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry gave a sage explanation last week. He told the press, “We all make fun of New York.” I doubt it fazed New Yorkers. They don’t believe the rest of the country doesn’t envy 50-square foot apartments, the odor of garbage and pee or the sight of a rat running hither and yon throughout a restaurant. Yeah, it’s a helluva place and we all wish we lived there. Just ask a New Yorker.
There are months and months to go before the rhetoric stops. Is there nowhere that’s warm all year, smells of jasmine, money grows on trees, everyone looks their very best and politicians don’t tell us how to live our lives? There’s a platform we could actually get behind.
The Duchess Diaries 