Absinthe & Cookies (a bit bitter, a bit sweet)

In My Heart, I Always Knew

While perusing SDB's latest on the upcoming election (which you should go read all of) (do I need to even actually say that?) (never mind) I discovered something I think I've always secretly known in my heart o' hearts: I'm a White Male. No, really. I am! SDB offers proof in black and white:

* Analysts in both parties agree that Bush is benefiting among white men from his aggressive use of force against terrorism and his alternately folksy and blunt "bring 'em on" personal style.

* To a great extent, this is because white men as a group prefer cowboys to metrosexuals.

* The ideal "is that a real man is a man of few words and determined, resolute action: like in [the movie] 'High Noon.' And Bush captures this almost perfectly and effortlessly."

The president's black-and-white pronouncements on terrorism and war — from his promise to capture Osama bin Laden "dead or alive" to his "bring 'em on" taunt to Iraqi resisters — which generate unease among many women and even some more affluent men, help cement Bush's attachment to blue-collar men, who, recent polls show, support him at higher levels than men with college degrees.

* Bush is benefiting, too, from a political environment focused on terrorism and national security issues that highlight the aspects of his personality that many men like best. Men have traditionally been more inclined than women to support military action, and recent polls show white men significantly more enthusiastic about the decision to invade Iraq than other Americans.

"He kind of runs a testosterone-driven White House, in terms of both the rhetoric and the dominant issue, which is war," said John Anzalone, an Alabama-based Democratic pollster. "It's a natural resonance with men, particularly white men. Usually the only thing that knocks that down for a Democrat is the economy."

* As long as the Democratic nomination is still in doubt, Democratic candidates won't be able to begin to moderate their message so as to begin to appeal to centrist voters. And by early August, the centrist consensus may end up as "A plague on all their houses" -- especially among white men, who are especially repelled by rhetoric which appeals to the Berkeley-left inside the Democratic party.

There you have it. I can no longer deny what I really am.

I feel so empowered now.....

(where's my damn tequila??)

Posted by Ithildin at December 30, 2003 1:27 PM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE