So What if He Did It?

I am no fan of Al Gore.

With that said, I must now ask the right-wing media to cut the guy some slack about this massage-gate story that they are frothing at the mouth to turn into the greatest scandal since the Rosenbergs.  Sean Hannity, whose show I generally like mind you,  ran an entire segment on the subject last night, including the vox testimony of the masseuse in question describing a sex-crazed Gore demanding a ‘happy ending’ to his session and becoming rather aggressive when he was denied said service.  Right now it is a matter of ‘he said/she said’ but why let a trifle like that get in the way of a good character bashing?

Al “Ron Jeremy” Gore makes for a good National Enquirer story I suppose.  But is it good for the country that such events involving a former V.P. —which supposedly took place over five years ago but is only now making the news circuit— are so public?  I find it ironic that the same pontificators who bemoan the dearth of talent in government fail to see that they are part of the problem.  In a 24/7 news cycle dead air must constantly be filled — and the same rule applies to Fox as to MSNBC.  So when a chance to nail Al Gore on a sex scandal comes across the transom, it’s just too juicy to resist.  And so does yet another (former) public servant’s private life become media fodder.

Why would anyone of any experience, talent, intellect and vision ever venture into politics?  There isn’t a man or woman alive who has lived a life of any substance who does not have a skeleton or two in their closet.   Often these experiences, mistakes they have made, associations they would rather forget, conduct about which they are now embarrassed, have paradoxically shaped them into the more worldly thinkers and competent managers they are today.  I once chatted with David Frum about my entering politics and he was very encouraging.  But then I got to thinking… do I want every piece of my past dragged before the spotlight, mostly likely taken out of context (or not) and thrust upon the public stage?   I have lived a decent and honorable life–but far from a perfect one.  And I already have satisfaction in my personal and professional life.  And I think the Republic will survive without my services, but that does not mean I couldn’t have been an asset if elected.  We will never know.  When I see a smooth politician like Barack Obama with less executive experience than even little ol’ me handed the keys to the White House it concerns me and prompts this patriot to get involved.  But then I ask myself: does my desire to enter public service supersede my need for privacy?  The answer is “No.”

So who are we left with then to run the asylum?  Although there are notable exceptions to this rule, it seems to me the only people who would ever willingly subject themselves to the unbearable scrutiny that comes with a career in politics are power-hungry megalomaniacs, retired industry titans whose egos cannot allow them to leave the spotlight (and have the money to buy their positions), or, worst of all, shameless mediocrities who would drown in the meritocracy that is the private sector and see government as their ticket to unearned riches, undeserved power and even some fame.

Maybe the media outlets who are so quick to howl “throw the bums out!” should look inward and asses their culpability as to why we have so many bums there in the first place.  Paul Begala said it best: “Politics is show business for ugly people.”  That’s because the hounds from both camps, left and right, will continue to scare the beautiful people away from public service.  Now, I am not pretty.  But I am private.  And so I shall stay.