Madness? This is Politics!

Newsweek once wrote that Dick Cheney's idealized version of himself is Burt Reynold's character from 'Deliverance' (Spectacularly full of himself and tragically poor in judgement).

In the book, "The Greatest Story Ever Sold" Frank Rich explains that Politics is simply a matter of who can package and deliver the better story.

The McCain-Palin idealized version of self-- and the story they are trying to sell to the voters in 2008-- is that of Frank Miller's '300'.


McCain as the Warrior King, his Hardcore Queen Palin, and a damn Southside Liberal about to get kicked into a hole (someone has a cheeky temper).

The Backstory: As a child forced out on his own into the world, the hero is ultimately backed against the wall of a tiny cave. In his cave he finds the resolve to face-- and slay-- his fears. Based on this experience from his youth, the hero emerges ready to lead his people.

Meanwhile the world is in turmoil: As King, he rules with his gut but relies heavily on his Queen, who is even more hardcore than he. The way of the Spartan Warrior is hard, cold and ruthless, and she is all that, having no qualms about doing whatever it takes for the cause.

The Villain: The decadent Xerxes, tall and dark, promises basically nothing but massive orgies and a huge government. His million man "Persian" army clearly threatens the Spartan way of life.

The decadent Persian King, Obama, tall, dark, godly, with all those supporters behind him and that convincing rhetoric.

Ultimately: their numbers might be small, but they whoop it up, and their simple message of "Country First" sure is enthusiastic. The Spartans are never-say-die kinda group (until they all die) but for them its all about having a good story.

The story lives on: Told then, first to sell Congress, and later to rouse the Army as they prepared to battle once more against Persia. Now the story is told again, the themes and grand overtures having been rewritten as McCain-Palin 2008.

Watch the movie again, then vote for yourself. But remember, Politics is about telling and selling stories.

Looking forward by looking back: Unfortunately, the Spartans in '300' were undone because they forgot to cover their ass... Undone and out-maneuvered by the type of person whom they discard and reject outright for being different . . . from their idealized version of self.