I used to have a theory to predict the outcome of presidential elections: Americans elect the coolest candidate. But the fact that Mitt Romney is still very much in the race completely destroys my theory.
If it’s not about who is cool, then what?
It might be about who is the most vile.
The more honest and dignified a candidate looks, the more it seems to sink his candidacy.
It sunk McCain over Obama, Gore and Kerry over Bush II, Bush I and Dole over Clinton, Dukakis over Bush I, Carter and Mondale over Reagan, Humphrey and McGovern over Nixon, Goldwater over Johnson, Nixon over Kennedy…
But it doesn’t seems to explain the defeat of Ford against Carter.
If this theory is accurate or somewhat accurate, why would Americans seek a vile president?
The answer comes pretty simply: so they can use him as an excuse for their own lives.
Yep, that is the perfect answer.