You Run Arnold, We Run Jennifer
There's a big push in the Republican party to amend the U.S. Constitution to allow foreign-born Americans to serve as president. Their poster-boy for this movement is clearly California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who they believe, based on how dim and easily-amused many Americans are, would prevail if allowed to run in 2008.
While I'm reluctant to dismiss a Schwarzenegger candidacy based on his lack of qualification and intellect – I mean, look at how George W. Bush manages to look like a genius to 50 million of our countrymen – that constitutional amendment would allow Democrats to bring someone forward who would smoke Arnold at every turn.
Meet Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Granholm, one of the brightest stars on our Democratic horizon, is a naturalized citizen born in Canada. Like Schwarzenegger, the U.S. Constitution does not allow her to run for president.
Granholm is whip-smart, very quick on her feet and extremely popular in a must-win state for Democrats. In addition, presidential candidates can't get by on substance alone these days, must run for the office on television and be able to get into the average American's comfort zone.
I mention this only as a delicate way of introducing the undeniable fact that Governor Granholm is a very attractive woman. That shouldn't be necessary, but it sure as hell helps in dealing with the short attention span of many American voters.
And, unlike our Democratic presidential candidates not named Bill Clinton, she speaks in an easy, powerful way that exudes both competence and self assurance.
Jennifer Granholm is a political winner and the only reason many of you have not heard of her is that, barring the " Schwarzenegger Amendment," she is not very relevant on the national stage.
Be careful what you wish for, my small-minded conservative friends. It could be that, one way or another – I'm winking at you, Senator Clinton -- you'll be playing "Hail to the Chief" to a very smart, female president after the 2008 election.
So let's have your constitutional amendment. Go ahead, make my day.
While I'm reluctant to dismiss a Schwarzenegger candidacy based on his lack of qualification and intellect – I mean, look at how George W. Bush manages to look like a genius to 50 million of our countrymen – that constitutional amendment would allow Democrats to bring someone forward who would smoke Arnold at every turn.
Meet Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Granholm, one of the brightest stars on our Democratic horizon, is a naturalized citizen born in Canada. Like Schwarzenegger, the U.S. Constitution does not allow her to run for president.
Granholm is whip-smart, very quick on her feet and extremely popular in a must-win state for Democrats. In addition, presidential candidates can't get by on substance alone these days, must run for the office on television and be able to get into the average American's comfort zone.
I mention this only as a delicate way of introducing the undeniable fact that Governor Granholm is a very attractive woman. That shouldn't be necessary, but it sure as hell helps in dealing with the short attention span of many American voters.
And, unlike our Democratic presidential candidates not named Bill Clinton, she speaks in an easy, powerful way that exudes both competence and self assurance.
Jennifer Granholm is a political winner and the only reason many of you have not heard of her is that, barring the " Schwarzenegger Amendment," she is not very relevant on the national stage.
Be careful what you wish for, my small-minded conservative friends. It could be that, one way or another – I'm winking at you, Senator Clinton -- you'll be playing "Hail to the Chief" to a very smart, female president after the 2008 election.
So let's have your constitutional amendment. Go ahead, make my day.
posted by Bob Geiger at 4/25/2005 09:41:00 AM
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