The White House marathon....a long and winding road

The big domestic news remains the Republican presidential nomination debates. This exercise in political masochism is finally being recognized for what it is. Although only about half finished with their scheduled number of debates, viewers and pundits alike are beginning to question the wisdom of this type of political forum. Predictably, as a candidate rises to the top of the polls, the other candidates begin to tear the person apart by making accusations, bringing up past blunders, and asking 'gotcha' questions. The latter being questions designed to embarrass or berate candidates.

What all this does bring out, in full public view is the integrity, vulnerability, mean spiritedness, toughness and resilliance of the candidates. Rick Perry, Governor or Texas, asked Mitt Romney, the current leading contender, why Mitt hired illegal workers to mow his lawn. This was intended to embarrass Romney and to expose him as a liar with respect to his stand against illegal immigration. The problem was that Mitt's worker was not directly hired by him, but was employed by the landscaping company Mitt had hired. 

This example illustrates Perry's lack of  forethought and outright stupidity in thinking that he could expose (gotcha) Romney. Mitt, for his part, simply told the truth and further stated that he had fired the firm as soon as he learned it employed illegals. The end result? Perry looks like a fool. Romney looks like a victim, but should have nevertheless been more thorough in hiring people and, most important, Obama looks like a candidate for sainthood.

It is beyond me why candidates that are so obviously unfit to rule, like Perry, would even think of subjecting themselves to the judgement of the tv audience. I can only conclude that Perry does not even understand himself, let alone national and world politics. Following closely in his footsteps is Michele Bachmann who has managed to memorize about six phrases which she weaves into the answer to every question she is asked. Herman Cain, an outstanding black businessman, is high in the rankings, but lacks the political and economic depth to prevail.

Rick Santorum, who served as a Senator from Pennsylvania, shows promise, but gushes at the mouth, and seems unable to keep his wits about him, but should prove increasingly capable with maturity. Ron Paul is a non-starter, but with some major assets. He is solidly logical although often impractical. He is a Libertarian and as such does not quite fit into either the Republican or the ultra-Conservative Tea Party mold.

Newt Gingrich, on the other hand, is doing extremely well except in the polls. He is bright, experienced, clever, profound and infested with personal issues. His brain is too capacious for his ego and he is forever making the types of faux pas that I associate with an individual who is excessively intelligent but lacking in wisdom. He should be a senior advisor without a cabinet position.