my novelist friend Phil in DC provides brilliant commentary on the character of all our recent presidents—
Today in the Washington Post there’s a photo of Obama wearing a black raincoat with a bit of white collar showing, standing in the rain among the graves at Arlington National cemetery. It struck me how much he looks like “earnest, young Father Obama, the assistant to the bishop” or, since he’s married, “earnest, young Pastor Obama, the charismatic Episcopalian parish priest whom everyone in our Connecticut community likes so very much.” He’s got that thin, concerned, well-read look about him at these serious moments, but he also has that ability to smile brilliantly as if all our sins are understood and forgiven. Of course, on Thursday evenings, he dons sneakers, a sweatshirt, and shorts and, showing that he’s “one of the guys,” shoots hoops with the parish boys and their younger fathers. Finally, his family photos on the church’s Christmas cards, with Michele and the girls, simply personify the good cheer of the holiday season.
And that got me thinking:
Nixon sure looks like an insurance dealer who’s skimming money.
Carter sure looks like the harried manager of a cash-strapped social work agency.
Reagan sure looks like the owner of a very large Cadillac dealership in Phoenix.
Bush I sure looks like the principal of a New England prep school, all smiley about everything.
Clinton sure looks like a slick guy who “married up” and is now the owner of a string of race horses.
Bush II sure looks like a gun salesman in a sporting goods store.
Our presidents!
Phil
