Body Snatchers

By Laraine Newman

I remember when Al Gore was running his campaign in 2000 and the constant complaint about Gore was that he was a stiff.  It was clear to me at the time, he was a terrific choice. It was annoying to me that his  personality was a consideration at all.  Yes, a leader has to be charismatic. But does anyone even remember Dwight Eisenhower?

It was infuriating to me that at a time when it was so essential that we NOT have someone like George Bush in the White House, that people were quibbling about Gore’s ‘personality’.  If anything, I’d have much more confidence in a “nerd”, than someone like Bush, who had displayed the most dangerous combination of personality traits; arrogance and stupidity.

Anyone remember the movie The Dead Zone? Probably one of the best realizations of a Stephen King novel.  Directed by David Croenenberg, there is a scene where Christopher Walken, with his ability to see the future when he touches people, puts a hand on Martin Sheen, aka Greg Stillston.  Sheen’s character was the epitome of homespun, isolationist, Christian fundamentalism and fascism.  What Walken sees when he touches Sheen is an apocalypse.  Stillston, as the President, with his hand on the button and a beatific smile on his face as he brings on The Rapture.  How prophetic is that?
The moment I discovered Bush had won, that scene came flooding into my mind.

Now we’re faced with three front-runners for the Democratic nomination.  I’m not going to mince words.  I think Edwards is the best candidate.  His programs as outlined in the recent Rolling Stone article, are concrete and workable.  He also has the confidence of Southern Conservatives.  Neat trick. I think if he were the nominee, there would be no doubt he could win. But all people talk about is his $400 haircut. Fuck that shit.

My feeling about Hilary is that she’s a political animal in the worst sense of the word. I can only guess that her “yes” votes for the current dangerous initiatives (Iran etc) being put forth by the Administration have to do with some kind of political exchanges of support. Other than that, it’s incomprehensible. Jesus, there’ve been times when I’ve wondered if there hasn’t been a pod placed in her room at night and she woke up still looking like a Democrat, but now serving the Axis of Evil (Bush/Cheney). Ok, not really.  I know its been said a lot, but I too believe that the Republicans WANT her to be the nominee, because they can beat her. At best, her ability to win isn’t as certain as Edward’s, in my mind. Is there anybody out there?  We can’t have another Republican in the White House!