Dear Stephen, we don't know each other. Yet. I'm a loyal Democrat and look forward to meeting you, perhaps at some upcoming event for candidates in our party. I married the ever-popular Iowa Boy on September 2, 2022, after a 50-year friendship that turned romantic -- after he started courting me with Dutch letters. I knew his endorsement of Haley was coming; however, it still gobsmacked me when he said he would support Haley over Biden because of his age, rather than his policies and positions. I'm not interested in having a public debate with my husband. Yet. I'm still adjusting to the new reality that I went to bed with a Democrat and woke up with a Republican. Sincerely, Mary Riche, loving wife and newlywed septuagenarian bride, reproductive freedom fighter, longtime feminist and activist.
Dear Mary, It's a pleasure to make your virtual acquaintance. Having played the role of prosecutor in Chuck's case, let me switch roles and make a case in his defense (I'm more accustomed to the defense role, anyway).
1. It's a strange time in politics, with shifting alignments and a utterly unique player in Trump. Things are going to get messy--are messy.
2. Biden's age, as a marker for his ability to perform in his office, is a legitimate subject of concern.
3. Biden was--and presumably will be again--the nominee because we Dems have a hard time agreeing on anything. It's the old Will Rogers line: “I'm not a member of any organized political party. I'm a Democrat.” Biden, so far at least, has managed to square the circle. Also, note that our system never picks “the best man” (let alone woman!), our system points us to the most acceptable candidate; to wit, age and all, Joe Biden.
4. Haley has some positive attributes, no question, and she looks good on the shelf.
5. I've always perceived Chuck's M-O as a journalist to be to find the positive stories about people (e.g, his inflation of the quality of my Mustang teams). I perceive that he does this with politicians as well. Many politicians--yea, even Republicans--are good folks. Chuck seeks out the positive in people and works that angle. Twain, Mencken, or Kaul, he's not. Haley makes a good story about the plucky young woman who makes it to the big time. Heart-warming but incomplete. I wager that if Chuck were to meet & write about Biden, it would focus on the Irish-Catholic kid who came up out of a poor home in Scranton, PA to find himself a bit player in the big drama. He's only called to play the lead role as he's on the cusp of retirement. A great story, and--so far--with a good result, overall.
6. Politics makes strange bedfellows? Marriage has its never ending surprises. (I'm in my 50th year of marriage and can attest to that.)
7 “Septuagenarian” is a wonderfully august term, isn't it? I'm one, too!
Stephen Greenleaf is a helluva good writer, especially for being a lawyer. He showcases the same good mentoring I got at our shared alma mater, Shenandoah High School in southwest Iowa. And my wife Mary Riche;'s comment is as good or better than both Steve's column and mine. I wish all Iowans would caucus for Nikki Haley, giving her a surprisingly good finish here, because that would 1) elevate a really good & qualified candidate, 2) it would cook the campaign of Ron DeSantis, and 3) it would expose great cracks in the foundation of the Donald Trump block. Then if she wins in New Hampshire and South Carolina, as she likely will, she's on her way to the GOP nomination. I think Steve totally underestimates her. She says that's happened at every step in her political career. (Note: She's never lost.) So, try this -- go back and watch the "Iowa Press" show this past weekend on Iowa PBS television. Three very savvy Iowa political reporters interviewed Haley. I think it was the most "presidential" of any political presentation we've seen this cycle in Iowa. You can get that 30-minute show right here: https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapress/iowa-press/episode/10599/former-un-ambassador-nikki-haley.
Darn it, Chuck, I criticize you and you re-pay me with a flattering compliment. Thank you, it's much appreciated and esteemed. But, even in the glow of my good mood arising from your compliment, I must register a few comments and corrections.
1. I watched Haley on Iowa Press. And, yes, she's impressive. She can--as can all the most successful politicians--bob & weave & distract and then get her counter-punches in. But at some point, she has to face the reality that Trump and the current party (much more MAGA than traditional Republican or conservative) buys into the Big Lie about the 2020 election (and the many lesser lies of Trump). Can she lead her party and the nation by attempting to ignore this toxic myth? No. To paraphrase Lincoln, the nation cannot exist half in truth, half in falsehood. The problem goes a level deeper than mere disagreements about policy.
2. In addition to coming to grips with the mythology of MAGA, Haley and the Republican Party will have to come to grips with the realities imposed by climate change, finding paths to both mitigation and adaptation. (BTW, shame on those journalists for not asking about climate change policy. I know a lot of voters don't want to deal with this unparalleled issue, but when voters have their heads in the sand, journalists oughta' kick 'em in the butt.) How can an informed person vote for a candidate who can't address the two most pressing issues of this election: the preservation of democracy and the rule of law and climate change? I'm not asking for a profiles in courage level of forthrightness, but I do expect more than pretending that these threats aren't banging on our door.
3. You have an error in your first sentence--okay, not the first phrase, I kinda' like that part--but in the second. It should read “typical for a seasoned advocate.” Do I have proof to back up my assertion? The following exhibits: A. Hamilton, J. Madison, J & J.Q. Adams, T. Jefferson, A. Lincoln, F. D. Roosevelt, B. Obama, and J. Biden. Lawyers all. In the canon of American politics and rhetoric, only the great preachers and civil rights advocates have as an important a tradition of effective rhetoric, which requires excellent writing. (Rhetoric, in my world, is a term of approbation, not derogation.) Sure, sure, there are lawyers who fill legal instruments and court documents with lots of “word gravel” (Gerry Spence) and antiquated incantations, but the best advocates don't do so. I don't claim to be among the best advocates, but I try my darnedest to imitate them.
Dear Stephen, we don't know each other. Yet. I'm a loyal Democrat and look forward to meeting you, perhaps at some upcoming event for candidates in our party. I married the ever-popular Iowa Boy on September 2, 2022, after a 50-year friendship that turned romantic -- after he started courting me with Dutch letters. I knew his endorsement of Haley was coming; however, it still gobsmacked me when he said he would support Haley over Biden because of his age, rather than his policies and positions. I'm not interested in having a public debate with my husband. Yet. I'm still adjusting to the new reality that I went to bed with a Democrat and woke up with a Republican. Sincerely, Mary Riche, loving wife and newlywed septuagenarian bride, reproductive freedom fighter, longtime feminist and activist.
Dear Mary, It's a pleasure to make your virtual acquaintance. Having played the role of prosecutor in Chuck's case, let me switch roles and make a case in his defense (I'm more accustomed to the defense role, anyway).
1. It's a strange time in politics, with shifting alignments and a utterly unique player in Trump. Things are going to get messy--are messy.
2. Biden's age, as a marker for his ability to perform in his office, is a legitimate subject of concern.
3. Biden was--and presumably will be again--the nominee because we Dems have a hard time agreeing on anything. It's the old Will Rogers line: “I'm not a member of any organized political party. I'm a Democrat.” Biden, so far at least, has managed to square the circle. Also, note that our system never picks “the best man” (let alone woman!), our system points us to the most acceptable candidate; to wit, age and all, Joe Biden.
4. Haley has some positive attributes, no question, and she looks good on the shelf.
5. I've always perceived Chuck's M-O as a journalist to be to find the positive stories about people (e.g, his inflation of the quality of my Mustang teams). I perceive that he does this with politicians as well. Many politicians--yea, even Republicans--are good folks. Chuck seeks out the positive in people and works that angle. Twain, Mencken, or Kaul, he's not. Haley makes a good story about the plucky young woman who makes it to the big time. Heart-warming but incomplete. I wager that if Chuck were to meet & write about Biden, it would focus on the Irish-Catholic kid who came up out of a poor home in Scranton, PA to find himself a bit player in the big drama. He's only called to play the lead role as he's on the cusp of retirement. A great story, and--so far--with a good result, overall.
6. Politics makes strange bedfellows? Marriage has its never ending surprises. (I'm in my 50th year of marriage and can attest to that.)
7 “Septuagenarian” is a wonderfully august term, isn't it? I'm one, too!
Stephen Greenleaf is a helluva good writer, especially for being a lawyer. He showcases the same good mentoring I got at our shared alma mater, Shenandoah High School in southwest Iowa. And my wife Mary Riche;'s comment is as good or better than both Steve's column and mine. I wish all Iowans would caucus for Nikki Haley, giving her a surprisingly good finish here, because that would 1) elevate a really good & qualified candidate, 2) it would cook the campaign of Ron DeSantis, and 3) it would expose great cracks in the foundation of the Donald Trump block. Then if she wins in New Hampshire and South Carolina, as she likely will, she's on her way to the GOP nomination. I think Steve totally underestimates her. She says that's happened at every step in her political career. (Note: She's never lost.) So, try this -- go back and watch the "Iowa Press" show this past weekend on Iowa PBS television. Three very savvy Iowa political reporters interviewed Haley. I think it was the most "presidential" of any political presentation we've seen this cycle in Iowa. You can get that 30-minute show right here: https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapress/iowa-press/episode/10599/former-un-ambassador-nikki-haley.
Darn it, Chuck, I criticize you and you re-pay me with a flattering compliment. Thank you, it's much appreciated and esteemed. But, even in the glow of my good mood arising from your compliment, I must register a few comments and corrections.
1. I watched Haley on Iowa Press. And, yes, she's impressive. She can--as can all the most successful politicians--bob & weave & distract and then get her counter-punches in. But at some point, she has to face the reality that Trump and the current party (much more MAGA than traditional Republican or conservative) buys into the Big Lie about the 2020 election (and the many lesser lies of Trump). Can she lead her party and the nation by attempting to ignore this toxic myth? No. To paraphrase Lincoln, the nation cannot exist half in truth, half in falsehood. The problem goes a level deeper than mere disagreements about policy.
2. In addition to coming to grips with the mythology of MAGA, Haley and the Republican Party will have to come to grips with the realities imposed by climate change, finding paths to both mitigation and adaptation. (BTW, shame on those journalists for not asking about climate change policy. I know a lot of voters don't want to deal with this unparalleled issue, but when voters have their heads in the sand, journalists oughta' kick 'em in the butt.) How can an informed person vote for a candidate who can't address the two most pressing issues of this election: the preservation of democracy and the rule of law and climate change? I'm not asking for a profiles in courage level of forthrightness, but I do expect more than pretending that these threats aren't banging on our door.
3. You have an error in your first sentence--okay, not the first phrase, I kinda' like that part--but in the second. It should read “typical for a seasoned advocate.” Do I have proof to back up my assertion? The following exhibits: A. Hamilton, J. Madison, J & J.Q. Adams, T. Jefferson, A. Lincoln, F. D. Roosevelt, B. Obama, and J. Biden. Lawyers all. In the canon of American politics and rhetoric, only the great preachers and civil rights advocates have as an important a tradition of effective rhetoric, which requires excellent writing. (Rhetoric, in my world, is a term of approbation, not derogation.) Sure, sure, there are lawyers who fill legal instruments and court documents with lots of “word gravel” (Gerry Spence) and antiquated incantations, but the best advocates don't do so. I don't claim to be among the best advocates, but I try my darnedest to imitate them.
Thanks again for tolerating any pesky reader.
Steve
Stephen, thank you. Well said.