Because, even then, media somehow operated under the still held belief that when it comes to cogent political perspective, the first, best place to get it is from movie and/or TV and/or music stars.
McCartney, full of the youthful exuberance that, well, youth doles out but, at the same time, showing an already mature, impishly veiled contempt for media who were operating under the still held belief that that when it comes to cogent political perspective, the first, best place to get it is from movie and/or TV and/or music stars, replied, give or take a paraphrase, thus:
"Personally, I think they should put all the world leaders in a stadium and let them duke it out. Whoever walks out, wins."
Given the pasty look resulting from the pampered lifestyle of your garden variety despicable despots, that was arguably both an impudent, and insightful, reply.
And, if you think about it for a second, not a half bad idea.
Fast forward forty years and it occurs to me that we might be wise to reconsider Sir Paul's simple, silly/savvy solution as the already mundane march to Washington has already reached new levels of mundane.
But, perhaps, with just a little timely tweak.
As demonstrated by the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania.
Couple of instant impressions here.
First, say what you will about his performance as the keeper of the castle.
But even the most righteous right winger would come off petty and petulant by denying that, when it comes to vocal versatility, the guy's got game.
And if you think it takes stones to cha-cha like Chaz in front of millions of people each week, imagine what it takes to be re-running for the highest elected office in the land and risk ragging, rebuffing, and Republican ridicule, by imitating the iconic voice of Al Green.
With Al Green in the audience.
All of which, of course, for the benefit of my friends and family on the other side of the aisle, has absolutely nothing to do with the man's qualifications, or lack, to be given another four years in the Oval.
As if the current criteria does anything to guarantee us a quality choice.
But, I digress.
Since the process, as is, is, at best, arguably nothing more than a talent and/or personality contest, why not concede it as such and make the most out of it?
Why put ourselves through ten months of lame lies and rhetorical ramblings when we can choose our next President and actually look forward to tuning in to the latest attempt to curry our favor at the same time?
Yes, kids, I'm talking...
"The Voice- D.C. Edition".
"The D.C. Factor".
"American Hail to the Idol".
Call it what you will, the opportunity is obvious and the potential is powerful.
Each week, they sing, they are judged and we vote.
Until, come summer time, the field is narrowed to two.
Then, each week they sing.
Until the final week when they sing and we vote.
And the winner is awarded a major label recording contract...and the title of Commander In Chief.
Simon and Paula and, uh, what's his/her name?
Yawn.
Randy and Steven and JLo?
Snooze.
Let's talk Blitzer and Coulter and O'Reilly.
Yeah.
And if turns out that Obama is a one trick pony (think Katherine McPhee singing Over The Rainbow), if Romney can't carry a tune even if it was subsidized by state mandated health care dollars, if Newt has to deal with the dilemma of which of the wives get the song dedication, so be it.
It's a small price to pay to be sincerely entertained, as opposed to anesthetized, by the year long yammering.
And, for the every now and then comic relief, we could throw in "cameos" by once and no longer viable candidates.
Tonight....
Rick Perry sings "Oops, I Did It Again"....
Michele Bachmann sings "Bette Davis Eyes"...
Herman Cain sings "(I'm A) Love Man"...
Sarah Palin sings " I Can See Russia From The House of The Rising Sun"...
Man, I think we're onto something here.
And for those pooh-poohing naysayers who might naysayingly pooh poo the idea as making a mockery of the majestic process of picking a President, I would, all due respect, rebuttingly reply...
Your majestic process is pretty much already little more than a song and dance show.
So, lighten up.
And stay tuned.
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