That Bush suffers from an intellectual handicap, especially when compared to his opponent, is apparent to even the most unobservant and the most ignorant. Bush has made it more than obvious to voters that he is uninformed about those things that happen "abroad." He doesn't know much, and cares even less, about anything that lies beyond the shores of America. Should he become the next President, there is a great and horrific possibility that the United States will become more isolationist than it already is.
Not only is Bush linguistically inadequate, he also lacks intellect. By justifying to the American people that it is acceptable for him, the potential ruler of an entire nation, to be ignorant of foreign affairs and even of certain domestic affairs at times, Bush has assured American voters that he is merely an ordinary guy who will merely lead a conservative nation through ordinary times. Bush, in other words, is going to play it safe.
Though Bush may not be what people are looking for in a politician, however, he embodies what many people, particularly with the Clinton scandal in mind, are looking for in a person. Bush has maintained a certain charm and consistency throughout the campaigns that has led many Americans to believe that he is someone they can trust. Despite his ignorance, inarticulateness, and political ineptitude, then, Bush, with his perpetually relaxed and cheerful manner, has many convinced that he is the more spontaneous, more human, less encumbered, and better grounded of the two major presidential candidates. For many, all that matters is that his "heart is in the right place." Especially for those who are contemptuous and mistrustful of Washington, D.C., and politics in general, Bush is their pick.
But, if this country wants its needs, and even its wants, to be addressed, it will not choose Bush. Gore is undoubtedly the better and more able person to address such issues as the environment, society reform, Medicare, gun control, and education.
Unfortunately, Gore has made some terrible mistakes during his campaign which have caused the public to question his trustworthiness. On one too many different subjects, Gore has once too often made conflicting statements. On occasion, he has simply concocted impossible stories. He told the Teamsters' Union last month, for instance, that his mother used to lull him to sleep with the "Look for the Union Label" song when he was a baby. The song, however, was not written until Gore was 27 years old.
Also, though Gore is extremely smart, he has had a great deal of difficulty in appealing to the American public. Unlike Bush, he lacks the charisma that would otherwise guarantee him the title of being the people's person. While Bush is a natural at being the laid-back candidate who is warm, open, and friendly at all times, Gore appears to be unusually uptight and unable to connect with his audience.
Thus, what one man lacks, the other not only embodies, but excels in. While the former candidate is a people person, he is inept at dealing with political issues. The latter, on the other hand, may relate to the public awkwardly, if at all, but his forte lies in the actual work of the presidency. Perhaps it is a shame, then, that the two aren't running on the same ticket, for they complement each other perfectly.
Next week, the voting public will choose the candidate who is the most suited for the presidency. At least, that's what they think. In my opinion, the outcome of next week's presidential elections, will decide something completely different and, perhaps, more indicative of the values of today's American society. What will the Americans choose to lead its nation? Will it be Charisma? Or Intellect?
Susan Kim is a member of the Class of 2003.