So the lure of Pennsylvania has brought out more historic moments in political pandering. Last week Hillary Clinton admitted that some of her fondest memories as a child involved hunting and shooting. To quote Monty Python loosely, “I admire all of God’s creatures; that’s why I like to kill ’em.”
What IS it about Pennsylvania? “The Deer Hunter”, which took place largely in the Keystone State, was one of my favorite movies, sure, but is it exerting too strong a hold on political candidates? They’ve already beaten the “Rocky” meme to death, although I half expect someone to don gray sweats and run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, completely by coincidence. Hey, what about “Witness”? Why doesn’t the Amish worldview work its way into their campaigning? Buggy rides? Barn raising? Or would that seem too pandering? (I can easily see Obama in a white shirt with black pants and suspenders, talking earnestly with the elders. I just can’t see him growing a beard.)
In related news, in order to gain more sympathy for his cause in the West, the Dalai Lama has admitted, “Hey, I sometimes sneak a cheeseburger after hours. I may be the incarnation of a centuries-long line of Buddhist masters, and so enlightened as to be free of the cycle of birth and death, but you know, I’m only human.”
And later this week, in an effort to ingratiate himself with fallen-away Catholics, the pope will admit to occasionally rubbing one off. “But only about girls, I want to remind you. Good healthy girls, from the Alps. And no Nazis, either. Uh-uh, brother.”
I truly can’t believe Hillary Clinton would pander to the electorate. Such a tactic would indicate that she listens.