Evan:
I’ll see your crass simplicity and raise it: There just ain’t that many Jews in this country. Fewer than you’d think. We’re massively outvoted not only by gentiles, but even by the somewhat smaller sub-set of anti-Semites. (It’s true that my extended family is capable of causing an incredible amount of tumult, but if we can trust the census data, it’s wildly out of proportion to their numbers.) Employing this calculus, it’s unlikely that Bob Rubin (who’d be great) or Joseph Lieberman (who’d be awfully good) have much chance. Whereas Catholics … that’s a whole different ballgame, and Leon is a whole lot of Catholic. Plus, as a former OMB director, he has real credibility in terms of fiscal prudence. And he’s a warm and affable fellow to boot.
But I seem to have put myself in a position where I’m both predicting and justifying his selection, and I don’t mean to do either. I like the man and respect his competence, but his name would never have occurred to me in this context. The truth is, I don’t credit the rumor either. I’m just a conduit. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Bob Graham is a much duller choice, but also much more likely.
(By the way, you didn’t include my wife among Gore’s left-field choices, but there’s a prominent California Democrat who’s actually trying to organize a groundswell in that direction. Circulated a letter and everything. But I refuse to worry. I know I’m safe. Because even though Laura would certainly emerge unscathed from the vetting procedure, I just as certainly would not.)
Bush must be a whole lot more likable in private than he comes across in public. Almost everyone I know who’s dealt with him leaves impressed with his sheer niceness, and what you have to say about him accords with what I’ve heard from others. But that quality isn’t what’s conveyed by his public appearances, at least not to me; a kind of smugness, a kind of self-satisfaction, is what I’ve perceived. And I swear this isn’t a political judgment, just a human reaction. But I’ll get back to the subject of Bush next letter, when I’ll deliver that anecdote I seem to want to delay relating.
Instead, a few quick words about last night’s speeches. Laura Bush was awfully good, I thought. Didn’t you? The miserable role of politician’s wife can be unperformable (believe me, I know whereof I speak), and even though it’s standard journalistic practice to praise a political spouse’s charm, many of them–most of them–seem ill-suited to and uncomfortable in that position, and damned charmless as well. (Does the name Lynne Cheney ring any bells?) But Laura Bush was graciousness incarnate. A definite and considerable asset.
Colin Powell was good too, but, my God, doesn’t the man realize he’s a Democrat? Everyone else in the hall surely did, even though they’re delighted to encourage his self-deception. At least until the election’s over, and perhaps even afterwards, as long as he has no impact on domestic policy.
Over to you.
Regards,
Erik
