God, the energy, resilience, patience, and knowledge of the presidential contenders is incredible
Can you imagine the energy it must take to be a presidential candidate? You always have to be at your best. You always have to be able to put on a smile. You always have to be able to handle an unexpected question, a heckler, a logistical problem. And your schedule is ridiculous. Flying hither and thither, going from an interview, to an informal gathering of supporters, to a fundraiser, to a rally, to a talk show, to a newspaper interview, to a telephone interview. Oh my god. It's tiring just thinking about it.
Can you imagine the resilience? One moment you're high as a kite coming off a great victory, your supporters are cheering, and the media and pundits are praising you. The next moment, you're at a low, having lost an election that perhaps you could have or should have won, and now you have to encourage your supporters, motivate your staff, and get the media and pundits to behave.
Can you imagine the patience? Most of us who criticize each other or the candidates respond in kind, and many of us are easily triggered by the remarks of others. But, the candidates just have to take each blow. They can't get angry, they can't hit back too hard, they can't get nasty. Sometimes they just need to accept low blow after low blow, and go on as if they're on top of this world.
Can you imagine the knowledge you need to have? Not only do you need to know the names and something about scores of surrogates, reporters, states, and towns, often you need to know what the local issues are and you need to know something about them. You need to know how the pundits and opposition is presenting its argument, and must have a pithy response to gotcha questions. It seems like the candidates, when they finally have a moment to rest, can't. Instead, they have to read briefing papers, newspapers, get information from locals, and so on.
When can they watch tv? When can they drink a beer or smoke a doobie? When can they make love? When can they go to the gym? When can they sit around in a bathrobe and be a little unkempt? When can they do anything that the rest of us take for granted?
Whatever one may think of any of the candidates, one thing is clear: In some respects they are superhuman.
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