American Morning
Should Politicians Be You?
Christine O'Donnell wasn't the first to say “I Am You” – but you could argue she was the first to say it in a way that grabbed America's attention in way few politicians have. The "I Am You” political strategy is ubiquitous - it seems to be in every politician's playbook, no matter how ridiculous it might sound. Perhaps you're wondering why?
“They do it because it’s been done,” says Democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman. “That was a message that resonated years ago, but the electorate is a much more sophisticated electorate,” he adds. To win votes, politicians bowl, drink whisky, hunt and ride horses. But President Ronald Reagan’s horse was more subtle than, say, Bill Clinton grabbing burgers at McDonald’s, with his jogging shorts, and marriage problems. Bill Clinton was a baby-boomer's "I Am You" dream. He connected with them - and won. Analysts say the I'm-like-you strategy really exploded in 2008.
On the campaign trail, Sarah Palin gave shout outs to “everyday American people, like the hockey mom and Joe Six-Pack. And although some political strategists might say it's a tired tactic - the idea of you running the country resonated with many voters. “Because they’re angry, they don’t trust anybody,” says Professor Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia. “Who are they most likely to trust? Themselves.” But, is that what voters really want? Do they want a peanut farmer, like Jimmy Carter? A cowboy like George W. Bush? A Good Ole’ Boy like Clinton? Or a hockey mom like Plain – to run the country? In the end, says Zimmerman, “this election is not about whether a politician is like the electorate, its about what the politician is going to do for the electorate. That's what the electorate is demanding today and that's really what resonates.”
We'd like to know what you think...do you want a politician to be like you?
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NO way do I want a politicial to be "like me". Especially a Palin "groupy" like Christine O'Donnell.
To be like me is to is be concearned about what the people want, how they would vote on items that happen to come up. Don't the reps represent the people. To be an ordinary person like the rest of us seems to me that's what a Repasentive should do. For the people.
Frankly, I want a politician to be much smarter than me!
Shouldn't background, skills, experience, foreign and domestic policy, and academic scholarship count. That eliminates 99% of the tea party candidates. Back to the regulars and the party who did nothing to earn their tax payers and great health care in the past two years, the NO party.
Carol Costello evidently did not capture the true essence of what it means when an elected officials make the rhetorical statement or gimmick trick, ' I'm just like one of you', especially coming from Ms. O'Donnell. Watching her squirm and sidetrack the issues in the debate with her 'Oh Gosh' the other nigt was scary. Her career has been, it seems, running in political campaigns and recently she gambled and won like and sounded so much like Palin. Face it she offered the American citizens nothing. She was out of her zone face it. Costello's other examples were all born with silver spoons and never even wanted to be like ordinary Americans and old Bill exploited his position with vulnerable women as governor and president. Poor examples.None were like regular everyday Americans, but president Obama. His story and first lady struggles to achieve and ongoing persecution as people of color are another everyday story, no matter their intelligence accomplishments, skills or credentials. O'Donnell or Palin would never be considered if they was any other women. That's a fact.
It's encouraging that so many are strong and honest enough to say they don't want a politician to be just like them. Frankly, I expect the state, its leaders, its courts and other institutions to make an effort to understand and help, but I expect them to be and behave better than I ever could.
Not sure about being "like me" but I prefer that concept over "like Pelosi" or Reid or Obama. Leftist leaning politicians do not meet my needs in government. I am not even sure they endorse the American system. They remind me of those college professors who looked down their noses and expected us to vomit liberal BS back to get the grade. I am sure we all had that experience if you went to college. The "ivory tower" concept of what is right/wrong/how to fix the world attacks the US and all we believe in. Remember, SDS radicals are now college professors, and doesn't the media, like CNN, just eat it up?
I love how people are finally waking up and paying attention. Years ago, I am sorry I talked to so many that never thought their vote counted. Hurray, they all voted in last election. I do not agree with some of these politicians, some not at all. It seems as though you take maybe an honest person, and, when elected, they go nuts with power, power to make money no matter how for the people that put you in. Most of these politicians could never be; like me. I cannot be bought, and give little to zip about wall street. I think they call that gambling. Stock market like a crazy slot machine, and most often rigged. Yes some of these companies make jobs, but it is the responsibility of the consumer, like not buying things made in the first place from foreign workers and outsourced companies. And, for the sake of the country, who thought up that our government should subsidize these companies? All is rob Peter to pay Paul, now, Peter is getting ticked off. When you give these companies too much power, they tend to make more and more demands. Like too big to fail? Not. Would you not love to prosecute all those bankers and take all assetsand take away like their homes and let them go find jobs. Now, find me politicians that will do that.
O'Donnel is not even a speck like me. I am Catholic and NEVER EVER THOUGHT OF dabbling in withcraft. She is very incompetent.
I think O Donnell should turn the whole bunch of those politicians into frogs .
People who think it would be great to have everyday ordinary people go to DC and run the government just shows how naïve and ignorant people are of how government works. They wouldn't know the first thing of how the House & Senate work, the rules, their powers, etc. I'd bet the average person doesn't know how a bill becomes law. Moreover, ONE person cannot storm DC and set it on its ear. They'd be lucky to get an office with a window and not in the basement, and forget about any key positions on Committees. Those are for senior members.
Hi Carol You are the only person who has ever read one of my letters on the air, and that was years ago when you were in Atlanta, so here goes:
I am an immigrant from the UK with American citizenship. When I came to America nearly 20 years ago, I was shocked by the inequality. Real healthcare only for those who could afford it . Job laws that were non existent in some states. Poor infrastructure, and the list goes on.
I want a politician who has travelled and seen what other countries are achieving. Someone who is not shackled by these old "tax and spend" labels, and understands that to keep your house repaired and in order you have to spend money. Someone who does not suppport old pork barrel policies that waste money. Someone who realizes that there are some people who need help in life and that they are not all scroungers and leeches.
I was a midle class Republican in the UK. I am a middle class Democrat in the US.
No, politicians should not be me. Our politicians should be smarter than me, understand and know history, be economists, and well read. We don't need just anybody off the street. We need the good stuff.
So often we/(me) don't discuss the controversial topics that we want others to go after. Politicians need to be able to talk about the things that we won't no matter how much it may damage them. Christine Odonnell did herself no favors by not answering the question on "Evolution" as stupid and irrelevant the question was. She needs to stand up for her beliefs and if she can't then how will she stand up for her followers?
No, they should not be like me! They need to be like politicians.
I would probably like a politician that was more like me but I don't think the country would like him/her. People would complain that I wore blue jeans & t-shirts rather than a suit. They would complain when I had a beer w/ my constituents rather than attending black tie affairs w/ Washington insiders. The media wouldn't like the fact that I wouldn't be available for their talking heads. The party wouldn't like me because I wouldn't tow the line.
If I survived my 1st term w/o being arrested for assaulting one of my colleagues or a talking head, I probably wouldn't get re-elected because I wouldn't have much support from the special interests after refusing to let them influence my votes.
Worse yet though, if I did give in to the corruption that comes w/ such power, I wouldn't like myself anymore. I would like to believe that I wouldn't give in to all the temptations that come w/ public office but to stay in office, one has to sell their soul. So w/o term limits of 1 or 2 terms, I would probably end up like other politicians. I can't bear the thought of that! At least now, I can look at myself in the mirror w/o punching my reflection.
I don’t want them to be me what I want is understand our problems
Yes, I want the people I vote for to be like me.
I have never been perfect. There are no skeletons in my closet perhaps some embarrassing,bad choices- but I'm not going to hide them or deny them. My candidate answers to such things ONCE and tells the media to move on.
I have common sense, I whole heartedly care about my family, community, and this Country. I can't please everyone all the time, but would vote for policies that were best for most (not just my cronys).
And most of all, I KNOW HOW TO LIVE WITHING A BUDGET!
Heck YES I want Springfield, IL to be jam packed with people just like me!
Hell no!!!(twice) I would not want a convicted felon playing any part in politics. Neither would I want a politician who has a crazy baby mama beating him down for child support and getting rich off of the court system that keeps him away from his child??? Neither would I want a politician that smokes high grade marijuana or would I.
No I would not like my politician to be like me. I'm 73 years old. Believe me, old people are invisible. I want my leaders to be heard. I'm tired of not being seen or heard by young people.
Not exactly like me, but at least as experienced educated and intelligent, and not motivated by money and self interest. How many challangers, particularly in the Senate are millionairs? How many are attorneys. It was commonly said years ago that Washington would be better if there were more women in the Congress. To my mind, it is worse. All we have proved is that female politicians can be as stupid, venal, self-serving and power hungry as men.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY BOX!
No one should ever be like me. I have a spinal cord injury and a shattered pelvis with virtually every internal organ damaged and failing. I live alone and have no social support. Our society just wants to do away with "expensive" people like me. My life is pure torture, nothing less. It would be quite a spectacle to see someone of influence; in politics, media, etc. to live in my condition for one day. I would rather be asleep now but I have to deal with my colostomy and the effects of my last stroke. I sure could use some help or an end to all of this.
I want a country that's allows my neighbors and people all over America to express their opinions about a law as it is being written and that day if coming!
Your opinion's I respect and your opinions are better about a law and than a lobbyist's opinion for a healthy America...
I am an opportunist self absorbed ego maniac! All politicians are already, just like me.
I wish politicians were like me and then the Country would be in better shape and Americans could once again be PROUD to be American.
Yes, why not me. I can lie and spend someone Else's money..
I don't care what a politician looks like or says. The thing that matters is what they do for me and main street. Harry reid said in his debate last night that he made millions of dollars investing. He is the leader of the senate and he did nothing for main street . He took care of himself and wall street. Reid is the typical politician that does nothing for main street and everytihng for wall street. Congress is just a self serving body.
I liken career politicians to career criminals, and yes I would like a politician just like the rest of us.
Yes I would like them to be like us. To live under the same rules such as social security and the new medical plan they are forcing on us. To live with a salary that we set for them not one they vote for themselves. After all, they are Americans just like us, who just happen to work for us.
Politicians cannot be just like me, I have one point of view where they must represent many different ones. But they could be more like me in that they could be much more straight-up with answers to issues, saying both sides of a problem, and publicly choosing which side of it they are on. There is that honesty thing again!
I may be a great person, but I'm not even remotely qualified to run for the Senate or to be the President. Why would I want to vote for someone who isn't qualified either, simply because they're "just like me"?
I'm looking for leaders who are smart, well informed, and well qualified, and who have courage and integrity. I'm not looking for ordinary people, or wealthy liars who pretend to be ordinary people. I'm looking for extraordinary people - extraordinarily excellent people - to lead us out of the mess we're in as a nation.
P.S. - I have a PhD. I'm a medical researcher at one of the top universities in the nation. But for some mysterious reason, I lack the arrogance needed to think that I, of all people, should be running the world.
Politicians are not me. I've been out of work for six months desperate to support my family..and they don't get it. They are their own interests, they are so out of touch with the American people. They have no honor no dignity and will say and do anything to keep there jobs. No they're not me and I'm glad for that!
"I am you", great who am I? Trying the I am you line is great, but I think the majority of Americans don't know who they themselves are, we need someone to tell us who we are, some people don't even know who they are anymore since the last bum screwed the world up, now most of us are jobless, sick even dead. So I understand why Politicians are not trusted, I am you, shove that bull back down the hole you got it from.
I want to echo Sharon's comment–we have what is supposed to be a representative government. Representatives may not necessarily be like the ones they represent, but the more correlation there is between the lives of the representing and the represented increases the likelihood that the represented views will be brought into the discussion. These past couple years have shown an increase of our "representatives" ignoring the opinions of the ones they "represent," with statements going so far as to say that the people will end up liking what was done after they see it in action. So I, for one, look for someone who has demonstrated (and not just say) that they are "just like me," in their views, anyway.
If I was president the first thing I would do is put a cap on utility company's at 8% I would create an all American oil company government owned and kick all the other oil company's out of our oceans any oil would belong to America I would make weed legal nation wide and put a cap on all Auto factory's and housing manufacturers and get pricing back under control on everything in America including yje out of control medical equipment industry and drug company's and do away with forced auto insurance .
"SHOULD A POLITICIAN BE LIKE ME"? I hope NOT. I could be corrupt, immoral, cheat, and would approve everything that would put money in my pocket. But I'm not like that. But I do think most of our Senate people are like that, oops, maybe I shouldn't think that way.
Most of us are so busy with our own lives that we would need to retire first o be politicians that is why we hire representatives. Ideally we hire ones who have special qualifications to do the best work, at least what their district views as best. Universities should really administer qualifying exams to exclude people who don't even know how the govenrment they want to run is organized. The average American today is far more ignorant about government than his or her parent or grandparent with a similar education level.
I'm just like you!
Are you just like any other American? Some Americans are dope heads, robbers, murders, and straught out LIars, so forth and so on. Being just like you means, ie.. you are and maybe still doing the things that most dishonest people are doing. All they are saying is, " Forgive me for all the things I'm going to lie about, and all the dope and other things I will be getting into in advance". The statement is to broad.
When I vote I hope and pray that the politician is more intelligent and has more experience than myself. In my opinion, too many people are looking for a "common man/woman" to govern. When did we stop looking for leaders who are prepared to lead and prefer politicians who are just like ourselves? President Clinton had the unique talent to straddle this line- someone who could meet people at a fast food restaurant but also a Rhodes scholar. Perhaps the common man went too far in his personal life but that should remain his private life.
I consider myself smart, intelligent and a quick learner, but no, I would not want a politician like me. I am smart enough to think on my own, without the media, ads and politicians telling me who I should vote for.
No, I do not want a politician that is just like me. We need someone who is expert at what they do, experienced at their profession. When we are remoldeling our house or planning a medical procedure, we shop around and look for the most experienced, certified in their field, longest in the business, and good reputation. I do not want someone like me...while I am good at de-boneing a chicken...that doesn't make me good at removing a cyst...Most of us are not Economists!
No way! I would never vote for any politician who says "I'm just like you." C'mon!
I would vote for a person who has the same qualities as "Donald Trump." I really wish he would run for President...
christine o'donnell and sara palin both act like giddy teenagers. there are no polititions out there that will do what is good for the people. yes, i could run the country better as well as some friends of mine. we are the working class and not in the limelight. i would make no promises but actually do what is good for all the people, not just a few. we need to get all 99 % of the idiots in there now, out of office. this country is heading downhill fast. there is no such thing as job creation as only GOD can create. we need people in congress, etc. that will shut down this free trade crap as it is killing our economy. we need to clean house in washington with any means nessessary.
This is a very basic question. Do you want your surgeon to be just like you? Do you want your Lawyer to be just like you? Leadership of the free world requires uncommon, indeed at times superhuman capacities. I have a hard time balancing a checkbook, planning a date, cleaning my house and eating healthy food in the same day. I am NOT qualified to run anything beyond my own life and barely that. I am tired of thumbs up nod and wink beer summits and Texas witticisms. It is possible that you may plot the decline of the US on a curve inversely proportional to the "common man" political strategy's rise in prominence. The People's leaders must necessarily come FROM the people, but they also necessarily must ascend to the occasion and therefore differentiate. I want my heroes back. I'll keep my drinking buddies closer to home.
I pray I am voteing for a person that has more knowledge than I do. Sure I am good – maybe even excellent in many areas but I also know my limitation. She is not like me in that I DO have enough knowledge to know that oil drilling off the coast of La DOES effect me in Fl. She may not want to see oil rigs off the coast of Maryland but if Va want's to thats fine – has she not learned that the oil will come to her shores. Give me a break I do learn by others mistakes.
Thank you for your dumb question. I don't care if my senator is a Jersey Shore lovin', Japanese hermaphrodite. Your job is to represent your constituency. Not your own morals or special interests.
I want my potitician to be extremely intelligent, have a deep understanding in how people and society works. My politician should be able to see the world from a new perspective and find new solutions. My poltician should be able to understand trends, communicate with cultures outside the US and keep her/his head cold in a crises.
That's not me – I want someone better than me!
No, they should not be like me. I'm a life long Republican and would not vote for Christine. The Tea Party voters need to look at all the candidates before they cast their vote. As far as I am concerned, the Republican party is mainly to blame for the financial mess this country is in.
I do care if they are like me–especially the women running for office. I would like to see intelligent women running and being elected. Palin, O'Donnell, et. al. just make me sick to my stomach. These women are trying to take women's rights back fifty years. And the thing that is so sad is that they are really, really dumb and ill equipped to run our government–like many of the men that are elected. When any of these women are asked a cogent question, they look like deer in the headlights. Then the;y flash a smile and make a quip–thinking that no one will notice that they didn't have an answer. All they can do is spout the same sound bites that they have been fed–right to life, reduce taxes, mama grizzley (puke)etc, etc. None of them have a clue about what it takes to run a government. Not even Palin, who quit her elected job which caused no small amount of trouble for the people of Alaska. She's a real piece of work. I just seems that the people of this country could do a whole lot better.
Heck no. If I wanted a politician just like me I'd run for office. Trying to balance the unnumerable needs of a country with 350 million people in it isn't easy. I vote for the person who knows what they're doing, not the person who tells me what I want to hear. Remember how people voted for George W. Bush because he talked and acted like a regular guy and they thought they'd like to have a beer with him? Remember how that turned out?
I would rather a politician be "just like me" rather than a billionaire capitalist that doesn't have a clue to the everyday struggles that myself and others have to keep our heads above water in making ends meet. I do not agree with the so called "tea party" and I do not agree with the Democrats (CNN), Republicans (FOX), or extremists (MSNBC) either. Hmm, perhaps I'm a seperatist looking for a seperatist "just like me".
I want someone like me running the school PTA. I want someone from Yale running the country.
I am not capable of running this country. So don't say you are me and expect my vote. If your hand is not in the pocket of corporate America and if you are very intelligent, I may vote for you. We don't need a bunch of Christine O'Donnells and Sarah Palins running this country.
Yes, we need to get rid of the career politicians and more people that know the price of milk and gas. The country was the not meant to have a congress that sits all the time.
Politicians should NOT be like us, they should know more and have more experience in all matters related to running the government. The decisions politicians make have short-term and long-term affects on the entire country. Politicians should be MORE qualified than most of us!
I think there is a serious flaw in the "I'm You" strategy. It undermines the reason that we elect someone; a candidate's worth diminishes if s/he could be replaced by anybody.
We should expect (and demand) more from our representatives. Being 'average' sets the bar too low.
my gosh, like us? no politician is like me. Im broke, i raise three boys by myself, one a sophmore at unc. i work 12 hours a day at as a builder just trying to keep THEM from taking everything away, politicians live in a dream world, they r so out of touch with us . and i mean US most people i know in my area r in the same boat , the same boat that the politicians are sinking.
Carol, our government is a representative government....representative of the people of the United States of America. Yes, I do want politicians to be "just like me", with my experiences, understanding a real job, and who understand the effects of the laws they make. I assume by your position that you believe politicians should be somehow "better" than the American people more highly educated by the liberal colleges, "the Elite"? That's worked out really well so far, hasn't it?
Sharon, Bradenton, FL
I am an educated, professional, inquisitive, liberal, spiritual person with a social conscience who celebrates and embraces diversity, loves justice, and walks humbly. Do I want a politician to be like me? Hell yes!
My name is Ralph Allen Beach and i am running for president in 2012. I DO NOT want a politician to like me. I am not "you" I am me and nothing more! I can only be myself and people will have to accept me for who I am. Politicians should be who they are...Themselves! I am just an average person in America. When elected in Office I will shake the very foundation of the Whitehouse.
I want a politician who is not like me. I need one who likes people, even if they are idiots who absurd ideas and can smile at them so that he can get passed laws that are good for them without always being on the defensive. He or she also has to be overflowing with energy, and time plus be able to speed read..
Hey ..nooo! they never can be me!! I am a honest. hard worker and pleaseeee. Try get something new!!!! , They really think when people dont have a food on table or Jobs ...They really want to be me and then The people. they never going to be the people. never never.???/ heheheheheheheh That its so pathetic.
I feel this is a lie. These politicians cannot be just like us.
We want someone who can cut our deficit.
Christine Romans was just talking about our trillion $ plus deficit. Let's not kid ourselves. The honeymoon is over.
Come Jan 1, we ALL will be paying more in taxes to pay for this out of control spending.
But, of course, all the democrats want to continue to blame Republicans, who haven't controlled any legislative branch since 2007, and have had control of the house, senate and white house for almost 2 years.
So, who's to blame for this out-of-control spending?