I've always been an Al Gore fan, even through the bumbling campaign days, so I've been watching his development of the new network Current. But this was the most interesting quote I saw out of a presser today:
"I consider myself a recovering politician. I'm on step nine."
That's quite the statement from the son of a senator, a kid who grew up mostly in D.C. and was bred for a life in politics. But this is also someone who's had his heart broken by it, is sick and tired of trying to figure out how to properly make every word he says as uncontroversial as possible, and would rather just sit back, watch the spin and work with it in a dispassionate way. Journalism is a great place for former politicos. And I would know.
Twice upon a time, I got involved with politics on a level where it was pretty much a career (both times I was in college, so it wasn't something I actually got paid for.) All of my friends were basically in the biz along with me. And it was the place I'd dreamed about as a kid when I helped my daddy's friends on their local campaigns. Both times I left because the reality was so different from my idealism, and while I could be realistic and cynical, I couldn't change myself to fit the system. But both times I stayed interested and active on a personal level. Until the past few years, when all that having opposing viewpoints seemed to do is create personal drama with people I disagreed with politically but enjoyed otherwise. I'm a "live and let live" girl in a society where that's just not the status-quo anymore. So I know that I should do more (after all, how has the political party of my birth fallen out of favor so much?) but I'm sick of arguing and hatefulness. I'd rather volunteer for my pet projects, then sit back and play my own personal version of Jon Stewart to my cats, who love me unconditionally.
That said, I have to say that Bush's presser tonight for the Supreme Court nominee kind of bugs me. Not necessarily because of the nomination itself, which I can't bitch about before I know who it is. And not because it's preempted any shows I care about (although the rest of the newsroom is fit to be tied over missing Big Brother.) It's Dubya's recent trend of calling prime time newsers for anything remotely complimentary. Social Security plan? Schedule it for 7. A sorta-cohesive plan to get us out of Iraq? You'll see it at 8. It kind of reminds me of the blogger (we all know one like this, and I swear I'm not thinking of one specifically) who is always wanting attention for the things that make them look good but then delete all negative comments. "See what a great mom I am! Look at how I'm the most understanding friend in the world! My ideas or beliefs on *insert topic* are absolutely right. But if you disagree, you're just starting drama and aren't worth the space in my blog." And now it's that way with Dubya. Karl Rove? Don't even bother asking. But wow, look at this shiny new Supreme Court nominee to divert your attention!
(And for the record, I'm not saying that the Dems are all in the right about the Karl Rove/Plume affair. I think that there's plenty of blame to go around, no matter how slimy I personally find Rove. But free Judith Miller already!)
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Reading your post, I have to agree that I didn't understand why this press conference had to be called during prime time. I mean, I sat back and went--wow, so the new nominee sure has a nice suit and his wife's outfit is the color of Pepto Bimsol....
But I'm sidetracking.
I do agree that Bush wants to get out there and hot dog for the things that are postive for him right now...and who cares if we interupt a few minutes of House or make them not run the full ep of Big Brother? Of course, I do wonder if it were sweeps and a huge ep of Lost or something if the networks would feel as courteous about allowing him the time....
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