Presidential flirtation

The news from the United Nations carried something quite interesting lately which, if unleashed, could change international relations as we know it.

As reported in the Gulf News last Friday, the Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari, poured his heart in public upon a casual meeting with Sara Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee.

Unable to contain himself in her presence, Zardari described Palin as "gorgeous", hinted that "he may hug" if his assistant insisted and shared with the world his brilliant discovery, "now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you".

While Zardari is certainly entitled to his flattering opinion and to his readiness to "hug" any lady on cue from protocol assistants, his last statement went way overboard, in my view.

No, Mr President, "the whole of America" is definitely not "crazy" about Palin.

If anything, a huge chunk of the American population is precisely worried about her lack of qualifications for the post she was nominated to and for the one she might occupy should McCain's health deteriorate.

This is a candidate who keeps repeating that her state's proximity to Russia makes her somehow an expert on foreign policy. When pressed by CBS's Katie Couric on this very issue, her confused attempt at explaining was quite pathetic.

This is a candidate who thinks that the US achieved victory in Iraq.

When asked by ABC's Charlie Gibson to define her position towards President George W. Bush's doctrine, Palin lost her argument all along revealing a shocking ignorance that speaks volumes.

By choosing Palin, the Republicans are telling Americans that anyone can be president. What is scary here is that Republicans have tried this concept before and it worked.

Ronald Reagan was a Republican B-actor-turned-governor, and he was elected for two terms. It was none other than Henry Kissinger who once said: "When you meet Reagan you can't but wonder how it occurred to anyone to make him a president, much less a governor."

Bush, the current Republican President, has a record that speaks for itself on the perils of average, anyone-can-lead leadership.

How is this possible in a vibrant democracy? One effective way is through the constant belittling of people's mental powers through media, as they are turned into consumers who think, feel and act on cue. Such belittling is supported by a pervasive current in American culture: a general disdain for intellectual accomplishment.

Negatively

Unlike the French, American politicians do not claim any literary prowess, even when they have it, as this will reflect negatively on their image and will portray them ultimately as "brainy".

That's why Barack Obama is attacked by Republican ads that ridicule his intellectual arrogance and aloofness versus the everyday, next-door-neighbour character of McCain.

That's why Bush liked to be photographed in his ranch wearing plaid shirts and rusted jeans, doing his favourite hobby in "clearing shrubs".

Hollywood played a huge role in "glamorising the average" in its avalanche of movies that celebrate guns, muscles and cash while providing little room for human intelligence.

Back to Palin, I have to say that the idea of her becoming a US president really scares me. I can see the striking resemblance between her and Zardari: both are chance politicians who were brought not by merit or experience but by pure political cynicism. I wonder what he will say upon meeting Carla Bruni.

In 2000 I was in Los Angeles listening to a radio show discussing the heated presidential elections between Al Gore and Bush, when a lady from South America called in and expressed her burning desire to vote for Al Gore.

The host of the show asked her why.

Her answer was simply that the US elections concern the well being, safety and lifestyle of every human being on Earth, and as such all world citizens should be entitled to take part in this defining process. The lady added that American presidential elections are way too important for the world to be left to a sedated, manipulated public.

Ahmad Zahzah is a media consultant based in the UAE.