Chris Suellentrop, reporting for Slate from the campaign trail:
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.—"I want you to stand, raise your right hands," and recite "the Bush Pledge," said Florida state Sen. Ken Pruitt. The assembled mass of about 2,000 in this Treasure Coast town about an hour north of West Palm Beach dutifully rose, arms aloft, and repeated after Pruitt: "I care about freedom and liberty. I care about my family. I care about my country. Because I care, I promise to work hard to re-elect, re-elect George W. Bush as president of the United States."The desire for monarchy among red-staters is so palpable that I think American democracy would be best-served if we could elect a Celebrity-in-Chief parallel to the office of the President: a handsome official who could have beers with the commoners, extoll the virtues of Midland-Odessa high school football, and serve as the top ceremonially religious pol in the nation. That way real politicians could, you know, govern rather than cheerlead. Obviously, in writing this story off as bad aesthetics/bad ethics on behalf of the crowd, I'm giving President Bush credit that he doesn't deserve, since he's made it his campaign's business to win the office I've proposed.I know the Bush-Cheney campaign occasionally requires the people who attend its events to sign loyalty oaths, but this was the first time I have ever seen an audience actually stand and utter one. Maybe they've replaced the written oath with a verbal one.
(Just imagine, for a moment, how a Kerry Pledge would be received.)
Posted by Kriston at October 30, 2004 6:54 PMTest comment, test comment.
Posted by: Kriston at November 4, 2004 10:03 AMI am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. I think it may be help all of you. Thanks.
Posted by: Isiah Wessner at April 22, 2011 10:13 PMI believe so. I really feel your article will give these persons currently a superb reminding. and they will express many thanks for you later on on.
Posted by: Sanford Lorna at May 10, 2011 7:25 PMIt’s onerous to search out knowledgeable individuals on this topic, but you sound like you realize what you’re talking about! Thanks
Posted by: best hair straighteners at May 18, 2011 9:25 AMThey are offering their entire products and services at most reasonable prices to all the customers.
Posted by: at June 30, 2011 1:07 PMAmazing blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I'm planning to start my own site soon but I'm a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I'm completely confused .. Any ideas? Kudos!
Posted by: Julietta Kaya at August 15, 2011 6:12 PM