Regarding the GOP extravaganza Ronnie worship....the double secret code word is "regal".

[MissMarple]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3250789
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3249132


I didn't watch the so called "debate" last night, but a couple of threads today have both mentioned the word regal that was used by both Fineman and Tweety. This appears they are trying to establish a kingly, authoritarian, father figure in charge dictator image in the minds of the what Fineman, Tweety and the neocons view as the great impressionable, unwashed, undereducated masses of the American underclasses? I read somewhere today that Leo Strauss, the neocon patriarch, divided people into the uneducated, the educated, and the better educated. According to him only the best educated among us can handle the pragmatic truths of governing. How elitist and shortsighted is that? Only a shallow mind, no matter how smart, could believe that.

If that is the concept that underlies the promotion of this "regal" image, it shouldn't be too hard to unmask this "wizard of odd" image they are trying to foist off on all of us. Americans really don't like to be used as patsies. This quite real elitism could become a real thorn in foot for the goppers.

What are you thoughts? I'm not channeling too much Lakoff, am I? He is who I was immediately reminded of when I read about the "regal" fixation.

[TomInTib]

1. Since the "CEO" thing didn't work out too well, maybe we need a Monarch..

to extract us from this morass.

Or something to that effect.

Methinks we are going to witness some extreme psychopolitic in the next year and a half from the GOP. The will have to reinvent the Office of the Presidency that this bunch has totally corrupted.

[Berry Cool]

2. I don't know about Tweety--he really is easily taken in by image stuff--

--but I think Howard Fineman's comments (and also Keith Olbermann's) were merely observations, not judgments.

The Republicans DO try to present a kingly, authoritarian, father figure in charge dictator image in the minds of the American voter, vs. the "great impressionable, unwashed, undereducated masses of the American underclasses." This is a direct attempt to appeal to their base, which LIKES the idea of that kind of figure as President, and DOES see "the masses" as impressionable, unwashed, uneducated, etc.

The Republicans have always been all about exclusivity, pageantry, clubbishness, tradition, aristocracy. It's nothing new. In fact, if anything IS new, it's the attempt to project the image of the kind of folksy candidate "you'd like to have a beer with"--which is just as false as the "regal" image, but slightly different. It's the image of "the king with the common touch."

It's ALL image. But that's one of the things journalists are paid to do--comment on the image someone is attempting to present. They are not necessarily putting their stamp of approval on it. They are just remarking on it and how effective it is in serving the purpose.

[MissMarple]

3. Thanks, I wasn't quite sure how over the top they were, but the term does strike a false note.

Maybe they are trying to appear "presidential", but that isn't coming off too well. Bush can pull off the "buddy, let's go have a beer" thing for a while, but the presidential is a stretch. Brownback will never look like someone you want to hang out with over a beer. They may think the "regal" facade appeals to the Chamber of Commerce types and the country club set because of its snob appeal. It makes them feel at home as in the "us against the plebeians" bunch.

I do wonder if that can be used to advantage against them. The GOP does think it is better than most of us. That has been cultivated quite aggressively since the 60's. There is still a strong egalitarian streak in American culture, at least I hope there still is.

[Berry Cool]

4. Oh, I think there is too.

The challenge is going to be for the Dems to spread the appeal of inclusiveness and the "big tent" so thatit is more effective and appealing to the general voter than the "Vote for us and we will be Big Daddy and protect you and rule over you and take care of everything for you" image projected so well by the GOP.