So, why do you hate America?
Get a load of the yellow sign at the bottom. This is taken from one of the counter Cindy Sheehan protests happening in Crawford, TX right now (thanks Yahoo news).
I met up with a friend in Georgetown this afternoon. I've known her in passing for the last few weeks and we decided to meet up since we both weren't up to anything. She's a West Wing geek like the rest of us, so I figured it would be fun to fawn over the new season over lunch. Plus, it's great to get away from the political bubbles I trap myself into during the week.
After meeting up and getting situated at the restaurant, we dived into the 'catch-up' conversation of the moment. "How's your weekend? How was the drive? You find the place, alright? Cats doing okay? How's the job?" Amazingly, a lot of time can pass through the veneer of meaningless conversation. When presented the chance to order, I asked her if she was interested in the fried calamari for an appetizer.
"Oh god, I love calamari! I'm usually afraid to order it when I'm out on a date. I never know if the guy is into it, so I'm glad you chose it ahead of me."
"Uhhh... umm, yeah." I replied trying to hide the confusion from my face.
Date? It took me no longer than a few seconds to assess the situation: She's dressed up, chatting slightly flirty... my god, I was on a date. Completely ambushed. And by a someone I had no real interest in beyond West Wing fanboy-ishness. Say what you will, but the whole former sorority girl thing gives me a headache. A new glass of water couldn't come my way fast enough.
...
We finished the calamari as we closed out on the review of the coming WW season. Idle conversation quickly turned to me. "So, why did you move up here in the first place," she questioned. I gave her the whole story; Loving politics as a kid, leaving the military academy, college days/tech support nights, campaigning, Interning for the Speaker of the U.S. Hous...
"So, wait... you're a Republican, right?"
"Well, yeah. Yeah... I'm a Republican."
The loss of eye contact was noticable. I continued on, getting her up to date on my activities here in the District. Of course, the conversation took a noticable turn downward.
"So, would you vote for Bush again if you had the chance?" she asked. I returned a slight grimmace.
"I'm assuming you are a Democrat, yes?"
"But of course," she replied.
"Okay," I returned in a clearly non-judgemental and 'matter of fact' way. "No biggie, yes?"
"Why do you watch the West Wing then? It's clearly left of center."
"Yeah... but it's a damn good show and we love it," I countered. "Look, I'm not one of the crazies here. And believe me, we have them on both sides of the fence. I just want my taxes low, my nation strong, and the federal government out of my personal life."
She laughed. "Well, I believe in paying taxes."
"Well, I thought I said tha..."
"I mean," she explained, "If you have a lot money, then it only makes sense to spread it around a bit."
"Ummm..." And this is where I remembered that she was living at home and her parents just sprung for her new car. Not to mention undergrad and her graduate studies. "Ummm... Talk to me about Grad school... how do you like it so far?"
Slight headache.
Whenever I tried to steer the conversation clear of political ideology, it always came back to Bush this, Bush that. I spent the next hour on the defensive, defining my personal stances on everything. It was here that I realized once again how little I cared for the Bush administration. I mean, I was against the War from the beginning, the deficit spending is ridiculous, and that whole Bush-crowd is less than enthusiastic for our Contract w/ America crowd in DC. Yeah, I'm not a Bush hater, but it's getting a bit ridiculous when you have to defend an administration you could care less for the minute you mention your party affifliation.
"Would you vote for Jeb for President?" she continued.
I've realized that the partisan buffoonery of our current political climate is a bit much for me right now. I'm anxious to get back on the campaign trail and work my heart out for a Presidential candidate I believe it. But until then, I need to get a bit under the radar.
...
I've recently decided to take on a directorship with a political campaign IT company that has been recruiting me heavily for the last few months. Life at the think tank was great, but the board are just heading a direction that I can't get excited about. The atmosphere, the money, and the connections are all great at the new job, so why not? Plus, I should be positioned perfectly the minute I want to get back to campaigns. '08 is coming soon and it'll be nice to work for someone you could be proud of.
In the mean time, the "Yes, I'm a Republican-no, not a Bushie" conversations continue.
I met up with a friend in Georgetown this afternoon. I've known her in passing for the last few weeks and we decided to meet up since we both weren't up to anything. She's a West Wing geek like the rest of us, so I figured it would be fun to fawn over the new season over lunch. Plus, it's great to get away from the political bubbles I trap myself into during the week.
After meeting up and getting situated at the restaurant, we dived into the 'catch-up' conversation of the moment. "How's your weekend? How was the drive? You find the place, alright? Cats doing okay? How's the job?" Amazingly, a lot of time can pass through the veneer of meaningless conversation. When presented the chance to order, I asked her if she was interested in the fried calamari for an appetizer.
"Oh god, I love calamari! I'm usually afraid to order it when I'm out on a date. I never know if the guy is into it, so I'm glad you chose it ahead of me."
"Uhhh... umm, yeah." I replied trying to hide the confusion from my face.
Date? It took me no longer than a few seconds to assess the situation: She's dressed up, chatting slightly flirty... my god, I was on a date. Completely ambushed. And by a someone I had no real interest in beyond West Wing fanboy-ishness. Say what you will, but the whole former sorority girl thing gives me a headache. A new glass of water couldn't come my way fast enough.
...
We finished the calamari as we closed out on the review of the coming WW season. Idle conversation quickly turned to me. "So, why did you move up here in the first place," she questioned. I gave her the whole story; Loving politics as a kid, leaving the military academy, college days/tech support nights, campaigning, Interning for the Speaker of the U.S. Hous...
"So, wait... you're a Republican, right?"
"Well, yeah. Yeah... I'm a Republican."
The loss of eye contact was noticable. I continued on, getting her up to date on my activities here in the District. Of course, the conversation took a noticable turn downward.
"So, would you vote for Bush again if you had the chance?" she asked. I returned a slight grimmace.
"I'm assuming you are a Democrat, yes?"
"But of course," she replied.
"Okay," I returned in a clearly non-judgemental and 'matter of fact' way. "No biggie, yes?"
"Why do you watch the West Wing then? It's clearly left of center."
"Yeah... but it's a damn good show and we love it," I countered. "Look, I'm not one of the crazies here. And believe me, we have them on both sides of the fence. I just want my taxes low, my nation strong, and the federal government out of my personal life."
She laughed. "Well, I believe in paying taxes."
"Well, I thought I said tha..."
"I mean," she explained, "If you have a lot money, then it only makes sense to spread it around a bit."
"Ummm..." And this is where I remembered that she was living at home and her parents just sprung for her new car. Not to mention undergrad and her graduate studies. "Ummm... Talk to me about Grad school... how do you like it so far?"
Slight headache.
Whenever I tried to steer the conversation clear of political ideology, it always came back to Bush this, Bush that. I spent the next hour on the defensive, defining my personal stances on everything. It was here that I realized once again how little I cared for the Bush administration. I mean, I was against the War from the beginning, the deficit spending is ridiculous, and that whole Bush-crowd is less than enthusiastic for our Contract w/ America crowd in DC. Yeah, I'm not a Bush hater, but it's getting a bit ridiculous when you have to defend an administration you could care less for the minute you mention your party affifliation.
"Would you vote for Jeb for President?" she continued.
I've realized that the partisan buffoonery of our current political climate is a bit much for me right now. I'm anxious to get back on the campaign trail and work my heart out for a Presidential candidate I believe it. But until then, I need to get a bit under the radar.
...
I've recently decided to take on a directorship with a political campaign IT company that has been recruiting me heavily for the last few months. Life at the think tank was great, but the board are just heading a direction that I can't get excited about. The atmosphere, the money, and the connections are all great at the new job, so why not? Plus, I should be positioned perfectly the minute I want to get back to campaigns. '08 is coming soon and it'll be nice to work for someone you could be proud of.
In the mean time, the "Yes, I'm a Republican-no, not a Bushie" conversations continue.
posted by Williams at 8:33 PM
3 Comments:
hahah.. wow.. I think of politics like religion.. its a whole set of personal beliefs i'd really rather not have to defend.. especially on a 'first date' kinda thing. I don't necessarily think other people are wrong... i just think i'm right.. for me.
It's all about perspective anyway.. so there is no black and white.. only a grey sky.
but yeah.. wow.
Nice date, republican boy.
So long as the GOP stands by Bush so staunchly, even in the midst of FEMA debacle and whatnot, the "I'm a Republican, not a Bushie" remark rings sort of hollow.
Yes it's an over-generalization, but it's still a fair characterization: the GOP has been one big Bushie.
I've always been able to have at least civil and even close relationships with folks of different political ilks than myself. But watching a political party stand behind someone as patently incompetent and deeply harmful to the US as Bush has made that increasingly difficult.
At some point maybe you'll consider that when you find yourself having to have a long litany of but's in your political identity--I'm a Republican, BUT... --it might be time to question your political allegiance.
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