On relatability

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
On relatability
9
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 5:50pm

You know one thing I hear over and over again from people that's been annoying me with regard to their arguments in support of a certain candidate is that they can "relate to" this person. Arguments about Palin like "Oh, she hunts, she's a hockey mom, she's just like me!" or that their candidate seems like "a funny guy". "someone they could have a beer with", "plain spoken" etc.


Let me just say one thing, I don't *want* to relate to my candidate of choice. I want them to be *better* than I am. I want them to know things about world issues I haven't the foggiest clue about. If when it comes down to world issues if they oversimplify things then I get scared. This person needs to understand the complexities that you and I don't. They need to be "smarter than a 5th grader", one of the best and the brightest America has to offer, etc. Let me also give you a little newsflash, as much as you *think* this person is like you, they aren't. They have been elected to a high office through sweat, dedication and hard work. If you were like them, you would have attained the same position in life and wouldn't be posting on an internet chat board right now. So I really wish people would get over this "I can relate" crap.

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"If you haven't got anything nice to say, come sit by me"

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2008
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 6:58pm

Let me just say one thing, I don't *want* to relate to my candidate of choice. I want them to be *better* than I am. I want them to know things about world issues I haven't the foggiest clue about. If when it comes down to world issues if

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 7:03pm

and I want both .... although I don't mean the relate in quite the same way.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2008
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 7:03pm

I completely agree.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2008
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 7:26pm

For me, the relatability is more of a shared value system.

Of course I don't think Palin is "just like me." I've never been a mayor or governor. I am impressed with her and so thankful that someone who lives out many of the same values that I cherish is now on the national stage and could become our next VP.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 7:49pm

Oh don't get me wrong here, i wouldn't be comfortable voting for someone that i didn't think was "a good person" or had any likability. It does matter as character matters. If you asked me who i would like to have a beer with bush or Hillary Clinton, i'd say Bush. However, i wouldn't have voted for him as president if you paid me. But then again, most of the candidates are likeable (political differences aside). How hard is it to be likeable? Its not like it's much of any achievement.

My problem is "the amount" of stock people put into it. Being "nice" should be a given, not distinguishing criteria.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 8:42pm

true nuff


I can't think of one of them in all honesty I'd want to hang with ... having to vote for one is bad enough.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2005
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 9:34pm

>>I can't think of one of them in all honesty I'd want to hang with ... having to vote for one is bad enough.<<

Heh, I once was asked in a job interview full of inane questions ("name your favorite word" "what is a sound you hate?" "What is a sound you love?" etc -- ugh, it was awful) "If you could have lunch with anyone in the world it be?" and I stammered "Bill Clinton" even though I am actually not a huge Clinton fan. I have no idea where that came from. Did not get the job, but really, really did not want it.

But anyway, yes -- I don't necessarily want a leader who wants to have a beer at the local pub. I want a leader who has distinguished himself or herself from many years of leadership.

Caroline

Caroline

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2003
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 9:51pm

That's very interesting.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2008
Sat, 09-27-2008 - 12:05am