Letter to the Editor (The Anniston Star)

From: James Deagle
Subject: Letter to the Editor
To: speakout@annistonstar.com
Received: Sunday, January 1, 2012, 6:45 PM

Re: Travel agents, January 1, 2012

Dear Editor:

Your question of whether the GOP candidates' modes of campaign transportation affects their political qualifications is well taken, though I think it's more a reflection of how the respective campaign teams perceive Iowa voters, rather than their own credibility.

Any political campaign is an arena of perception, where the candidate projects an idealized - and therefore fictional - version of themself, customized according to what their team believes most appeals to the electorate.

Consider the two polar opposites: the jet-setting Mitt Romney versus pickup-driving Rick Santorum.

For someone like Romney, it is important that the voters know what an experienced and successful private sector businessman he is. Afterall, only qualified professionals get to be high flyers, let alone get elected to the highest office.

Santorum's thinking, on the other hand, would seem to indicate that Iowans would much prefer a down-home, aw-shucks everyman. Being closer to the ground, literally, he is better able to lead the people by serving the people.

One candidate projects what he thinks Iowans want to be, while the other projects Iowans as he thinks they really are. Gordon Gecko versus Jefferson Smith. Both are contrivances, of course. In reality, Romney doesn't need a private jet to get across Iowa, while Santorum, if he really is a serious party leadership candidate, surely can afford more than a Dodge Ram, as well as a staffer or two for the road.

Ultimately, you are correct in hoping Iowans do not equate travel modes to 'political qualifications'. Like so much in politics, it is all an illusion

James Deagle
Ottawa, Canada