Rules of Attraction
Anne Martens
Say it with me now, "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World." Ok, that's enough messaging for today.
On John Edwards: he's so dreamy. Smiling, optimistic, southern charm, of course he's the next Clinton (without that nasty philandering business). This is a perfect team to close the gender/marriage gap and get all those young, professional and unmarried women actually voting - (1) John Edwards is attractive, well-spoken and charismatic; (2) Elizabeth Edwards is real, motherly, and we feel we can relate to her; (3) Teresa Heinz Kerry is elegant and worldly and we feel we can aspire to be like her. Two smart, strong women and an attractive, inspiring man.
Smart, strong women love other smart, strong women (provided they've gotten over that trained competition thing), and every straight woman in her right mind loves an attractive man. Now, I do pay attention to substance and love that JE's a trial lawyer and blah blah blah, and all you smart ladies out there don't get your panties in a bunch and think that I'm somehow denigrating your intelligence, but I also love that JE's a hottie. And if that gets some people, particularly the young-professional-unmarried-women-who-are-more-likely-to-vote-democratic people, to pay a little bit more attention, then I'm all for it.
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11:56 a.m.
Jul 29, '04
Plus he sticks to the script. Do women love a man who sticks to the script? I mean, they must... I see no gaspy odes to Al Sharpton. ;)
12:59 p.m.
Jul 29, '04
Here's a question. The reaction was strangely mixed on Teresa's speech outside the Fleet Center. I thought it was wonderful, and I thought I saw quite a bit of passion inside the building. What was your take?
10:31 a.m.
Jul 30, '04
The reactions to Teresa have indeed been very mixed. I rather thought she was amazing - she's the type of lady that I would love to talk to and learn from. I get the feeling that others think she's too foreign, too rich, too worldy, too well-educated, too poised, too sophisticated, and not enough like them. It's a dumb, but frequent, reason to not like somebody. It's often difficult for people to get over their own insecurities and perceived inadequacies in order to appreciate people for who they are, even if who they are is different. And in the end, if Teresa doesn't tone it down (and I hope she won't, because I have way more respect for her as she is), she will probably hurt John's campaign in some way, I don't know if it'll be measurable of not. Bummer, but that's the world we live in.
Jul 30, '04
I think Teresa's sense of separatism from others that keeps coming up as indicative of her wealth is off base...slightly.
I do think she has a sense of separatism about her, but think that comes completely and utterly from growing up a white in a black society that had a history with white colonialism. It's what happens sadly; just a different pheromone covers her than it does say, Mrs. Edwards. Voters can smell that, and I think you are right that she'll be indicated to tone down a bit; that would be smart politics.
The public will not take to sharp criticism coming from someone that they feel they can not hug and forgive. It's a weird psychological dichotomy and although the phenomenon is not directly caused by her wealth, it is certainly exacerbated by it.
Jul 30, '04
It's often difficult for people to get over their own insecurities and perceived inadequacies in order to appreciate people for who they are, even if who they are is different.
This is a great sentence and a really good point.
Aug 3, '04
"It's often difficult for people to get over their own insecurities and perceived inadequacies in order to appreciate people for who they are, even if who they are is different."
Anne, I think you hit a nail on the head with that statement. Unfortunately, it's just not this nail.
An avowed Dem who votes in every election and will persuade anybody I can find to vote for JK/JE, I still find Teresa Heinz Kerry offputting. I don't think she's threatening in the least. I have great respect for her achievements and for what she can add to the ticket but I think she comes across as removed, distant. Her mutli-lingual greetings were so obviously over scripted and her persona so seemingly stiff that it makes me wonder who she is underneath the polish and the lights. I guess what I'm getting at is that I don't feel that we've every really seen her - unless you count when she told the reporter to "shove it" (which I wholly support and think should, frankly, be a pat Democratic answer to anyone on Bush's payroll, a minion of Fox News, or both.) I would love to see another First Lady that is a professional, educated, driven woman who can offer a role model and put a woman's input into the White House. But first, I'd just really like to know a little bit more about this woman other than the scripted releases, speeches, and People stories.
Anyway, Annie, keep up the good work - your postings are fabulous and your style both unique and engaging.
Karin
3:06 p.m.
Aug 3, '04
My impression was that Teresa was far less scripted and more genuine than all the other folks up on stage. My guess is that she is, in fact, just that polished and possibly aloof all by herself, and I rather think that's impressive.