Reagan Proved - ACTING is the most important skill in Politics

[kpete]

June 03, 2011 7:45 AM
The Importance of Acting in Politics
By Andrew Gelman

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Before Ronald Reagan became governor of California, and then president of the United States, people wondered if an actor could become a good politician. It’s no surprise that actors are excellent at campaigning and giving speeches. But lately I (Adams) have noticed that acting is becoming the most important skill involved in policy too. Let’s look at some examples.

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2. The U.S. has to act as though the Israelis and Palestinians can come up with a workable peace plan if they try hard enough.

3. Republican politicians that don’t agree with the main party lines have to act as though they do or else face consequences.

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5. Democrat politicians have to act as though the rich are a bunch of immoral tax dodgers that are the main cause of the budget problem, as opposed to the main source of funding… .

MORE:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/ten-miles-square/2011/06/the_importance_of_acting_in_po030005.php

[bemildred]

1. Yep, most politicians are unprincipled opportunists, and their main job skill is acting otherwise.nt

[baldguy]

2. Makes you think - is Sarah Palin just trying to act stupid?

Or is she trying to act smart? :scared:

[John_Adams]

3. Being telegenic became very important subsequent to the Kennedy/Nixon debate.

[OHdem10]

4. The ability to PROJECT CONFIDENCE IN ONE's ABILITY

and to constantly appear as HVING COMPLETE CONTRO
OF the SITUATION is paramount in importance.

Hesitancy and caution can e interpreted as weakness.

Reagan saw a camera and he was "ON". I am in charge,
which was reasssuring to an authoritarian public.

Because of his confidence he was able to put through
policies that ended screwing America.

[UTUSN]

5. And "TAKING DIRECTION." Recently, somebody added to the acting thing by

saying that RAYGUN, as an actor, was used to "being around directors and TAKING DIRECTION."

But back to the acting skills --- yes, diction, locution, gesturing, backdrops, props, repetition, pleasing a crowd, and understanding the camera, et al., are absolutely necessary, and the more practiced to the point that they appear NOT practiced, the better -- along the lines of, "If you can fake sincerity, you're home."

We've needed a carnival barker forever, almost since FDR, maybe JFK. The rest of our Dems just bank on sincerity alone to get them through, and it won't work ALONE.

Who are great carnival barkers: Ed McMAHON. Tom BERGERON (started out as a street performer). Jerry SPRINGER.

[ladjf]

6. And having a personal fortune teller to advise you. nt

[Wounded Bear]

7. ....and he was a shitty actor......

:shrug: Go figure.

"Democrat politicians".......?

Really? Sorry, but that phrase compelled me to skip reading the rest of the article.