I'm not talking about being Presidential, I'm talking about Looking Presidential.
As John McCain walks through America's factories, he looks tired, perhaps exhausted.
The campaign has been long and there is still a big row to hoe.
Does he have the endurance to finish the race? It has always been of interest to me to see what happens to the President of the United States during his term (or terms).
What happens is that he grows old at a good clip.
No President has been age seventy (70) or over on taking office.
Ronald Regan was one month short.
Can you tell me a president other than Ronald Regan who was serving as president in his seventies? John McCain, to me, acts like an old woman with rheumatism.
That is, he looks miserable too often.
Have you ever been chased by an old woman with a cane? He is very defensive and lashes out at every comment that is deleterious rather than having his "hit men" do it.
He was very defensive at General Clark's remarks when Clark used Swift Boat tactics to point out that getting shot out of the air and spending time in a prison camp does not prepare one for the presidency.
Clark's stupid remarks brought flak from Obama and many others.
Who can say what part of a man's life contributes to his competency in later life? Why say that a certain span was not the very span needed for leadership? Personally, I think that McCain's military experienced shaped his life.
(I know that my military service shaped mine.
I still "spend some time" in Korea-with three times in one night-our 105mm howitzers blasting the hell out of my buddies and scaring the hell out of me.
My radio man got blasted off the trail but somehow survived.
) There was absolutely no reason for McCain to say anything about Clark's remarks-except that he was hurt.
(We veterans are proud of our service.
) The whole country raised up to support him.
The Swift Boat Gang, the most despicable of all so-called Americans (who were in my mind were possibly organized by certain crud bums in the White House), wanted to strip the word War Hero from Kerry's credentials.
I don't think that General Clark would go that far, not if he didn't want to get shot.
As for Clark, he is dead politically, a sad loss.
Here is some advice for McCain that I'm sure is contrary to that of his political advisors: 1.
Pace yourself.
You will need your strength to be President.
2.
Decide yourself what steps you want to gain the presidency.
Don't be responding to every hail and cry.
3.
Use television mini-talks to the American People, each one carefully designed to make sure Americans know what you want to accomplish.
These little info-commercials should be several minutes long.
Use that big smile of yours at the beginning and end of each talk but be presidential in the middle.
Use only a broad paint brush as how you would solve the problem under discussion.
Say how you are going to bring America's "best minds" together to help your administration solve problems-but suggestions from the public will also be welcome.
4.
Never take off your tie indoors, even if it is hot as hell.
Walk the walk! If you are in a casual situation, get rid of the suit.
What I'm saying is that you shouldn't be running around telling every Tom, Dick and Harry what your plans are.
Broadcast your plans through television and visit only those areas that your presence is needed.
You don't have to go to Utah and Idaho.
We folks are not allowed to vote for Democrats.
(O.
K.
, my family is different).
If you have a horse, give one of your chats next to the horse.
That will satisfy us westerners.
There is nothing wrong with being old.
John McCain just must not look "too" old to be president-which he isn't.
Even men in their nineties direct major activities in our nation.
Now, Perk up there, John! Even Democrats love you! Fly Old Glory! The End P.
S.
Taylor Jones the Hack Writer just can't stay out of politics.
Sorry!