smokerblog

Scarecrow vs. Tin Man

Pollster John Zogby views the upcoming election as a battle between the two Wizard of Oz characters: one with all heart and no brain, the other with all brain and no heart. This view seems to be shared by David Brooks, who once again offers some insight to the red state/blue state divide:

Republicans, from Reagan to Bush, particularly admire leaders who are straight-talking men of faith. The Republican leader doesn't have to be book smart, and probably shouldn't be narcissistically introspective. But he should have a clear, broad vision of America's exceptional role in the world. Democrats, on the other hand, are more apt to emphasize such leadership skills as being knowledgeable and thoughtful. They value leaders who can see complexities, who possess the virtues of the well-educated.

...

It just so happens that America is evenly divided about what sort of leader we need: the Republican who leads with his soul or the Democrat who leads with his judgment. Even the events of the past four years have not altered that disagreement.

I would add that this is just how the candidates are being sold to the American people. In fact, Democratic presidents have been known to draw strength from a moral center while Republican presidents can occassionally demonstrate ministerial qualities.

Aherrm, but, so, maybe my inability to see this as a black-and-white issue is really just an indication of my Democratic leanings, eh?