Clinton and Obama now just drinking beer

Running for Democratic Party leader must be a stressful old game. Sometimes, Westmonster expects, Hillary and Barack must want nothing more that to put their feet up, crack open a cold brewski and merrily sip their concerns away. Before gulping the entire bottle whole and then reaching for six others.

Thank the Lord, then, for Pennsylvania. During their soujourn to the state, both candidates have managed to find the time to chill out with a refreshing beer. Obviously, this is because Pennysylvania is such a relaxing and hospitable place, right? Anyone who'd suggest that this is some patronising attempt to grab the blue collar vote by necking a pint would be some sort of horrible cynic. Hear us? A horrible cynic.

The most baffling thing about all of this is the sheer hypocrisy involved. After Clinton came to town and treated herself to a shot of Crown Royal and mug of Old Styles, Obama instantly clambered onto his high horse, mentioning the incident in a speech:

"After all, you've heard this kind of rhetoric before. Around election time, the candidates can't do enough for you. They'll "promise you anything, give you a long list of proposals and even come around, with TV crews in tow, to throw back a shot and a beer."

This would be all well and good - infact, a hugely perceptive point - had Obama not done the same thing himself quite recently, hanging round a sports bar in Latrobe in a cringeworthy attempt to be seen as 'one of the guys'. Some kind soul has even put the whole shebang on YouTube, if you'd like to take a look.

One can only wonder: what will Clinton's response be? A new '3am' commercial in which she downs six vodkas, starts a fight and then calls Bill to tell him she'll never forgive him for what he did with that slut Monica? Hell - that might tally more with the redneck market, surely?

Written by C J Davies on 14 Apr 2008 11:19 PM. Permalink