principled governors, compromising senators

feliç any nou and all that...

Listening to a fluff NPR retrospective on Oregon's outgoing governor this morning, I heard hints of the much better story they could have discussed: the freedom of US governors to develop into "lone, principled men" while US Senators become waffling, compromising bargainers. The first hint came when NPR mentioned Kitzhaber's continuing popularity despite having taken various unpopular stands throughout his terms as Oregon's governor. My carpool partner Sidy mentioned the obvious parallel to President Bush. Neither of us like much that Bush does, but only a fool would ignore the resonance his trait of standing his ground has had with voters.

That's when the governor-to-president link really hit me. I've heard it mentioned, but thinking back on Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush Jr, the common trait is clear. As compared to wishy-washy Gore & Bush Sr, for instance.

None of which bodes well for the sundry Democrat senators announcing their runs for President.

Do not misunderstand me, though. The skills of bargaining and compromise that senators learn more deeply probably would have kept us out of the hole Bush has dug for us in Korea. Both skillsets have merit. I mean only to point out which one resonates more deeply with voters. Which, now that I think about it, explains the comments I see about Gephardt casting himself as a man of principle...