Published: October 06, 2008 10:20 am            

No honeymoon this time

Various writers in newspapers and magazines have commented about traits and habits of presidential candidates McCain and Obama.

One writer, of Obama: "his lack of passion - his measured, academic style may cost him the election. One of the strengths of Obama ... he's a guy whose blood doesn't boil, who carefully considers options before reacting. But that can be a weakness, at times the most rational response is to rail and shout about an opponents position."

Others speak of John McCain's temperament, his oft-used 'my friends' is usually a salutation. But, it may be a prelude to a sarcastic and caustic attack. "It's difficult enough to be a negotiator, but not easy when one is angry at anyone who doesn't agree or do as desired. A president's job is to negotiate and stay calm."

So what does America want in a president's personality and behavior? George Washington was dignified and aloof, also, John Quincy Adams, Benjamin Harrison, and Herbert Hoover. They didn't invite an arm-on-shoulder, nor the friendly slap-on-back.

Abe Lincoln, when not suffering a sad spell, was relaxed, whimsical, approachable - he had the common touch." Yet, he had a quiet that did not invite undue intimacy. Woodrow Wilson could be the life of a party with limericks, dialect stories, and mimicry. Publicly, he seemed cold with academic aloofness. The masses called Theodore Roosevelt "Teddy" but never called Wilson "Woody." Wilson, very conscious of his lantern jaw, had a favorite limerick. "As a beauty I'm not a great star. Others are handsomer by far; but my face - I don't mind it, because I'm behind it; it's the folks in front that I jar."

The current candidates for Prexy can't use the rags-to-riches or log-cabin symbolism, though semi-wealthy William Henry Harrison was ballyhooed as a poor homespun farmer who was born in and lived in a log cabin! Will the 2008 winner be known by initials, per FDR, JFK? McCain, JMC? Maybe not, Barack Obama - BO.

Do U.S. citizens want a humble president? Lincoln had a Christ-like humility. Herbert Hoover was quiet and unassuming. The other extreme, FDR, at times revealed a disturbing cockiness. Then a pride-goeth-before-a-fall happened; the Supreme Court "packing" debacle. When FDR died, Harry Truman was humbled and bewildered, then gained great confidence - so much that he was widely criticized.

Should the 2008 victor be an eloquent orator, ala Wilson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln? Today, would U.S. voters accept Abe Lincoln's high-pitched voice, his frontier dialect; "Mr. Cheerman," "git," "thar," or "heerd?" 1860s people did; his grotesque appearance seemed to add weight to his words. The speech at Cooper Union boosted Lincoln to the presidency.

Perhaps America wants a good-ole-boy. Maybe a guy of insight and foresight with principle, one who never flip-flops. Lincoln was once accused of being two-faced; he replied, "If I had another face, would I be wearing this one?"

Do citizens want a real toiler? James K. Polk, who traded 'just one term' for the nomination, was a workaholic; not trusting subordinates, his diary revealed that Polk kept all the reins of the administration in his own hands. At age 50, Polk was the youngest Prexy to date.He literally worked himself into the grave. Secretary of State Buchanan: "the most laborious man known - after 4 years - he had assumed the appearance of an old man." Polk died 103 days after leaving office, a presidential record for what seems to have been slow suicide by overwork.

Some may want a president who will shoot-the-breeze with the average girl and guy. others; a Prexy who is smarter, better informed, and stronger than the average Jill or Joe.

Although America always hopes for a 100-day "Honeymoon" - some new presidents aren't so lucky. Bachelor James Buchanan enjoyed two days before the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision. Abraham Lincoln lengthened his honeymoon after Fort Sumter, April, 1861, by setting a special session of Congress in July. Woodrow Wilson had 34 days before World War I, Franklin Roosevelt had only five days before WW II. Politically naive Herbert Hoover had five weeks before a special session of Congress.

The person elected president in 2008 will surely set a U.S. record for the "Honeymoon" - zero days! America's mess is present at midnight, the day of inauguration, but not accounted for. Citizens will want solutions 'yesterday' which isn't possible, so if your guy loses, he just might be the winner, in history.

As the cliche goes, vote early and often!



Cecil Acuff lives in Perkins.

        

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