Swagger-less Politicians
Barack Obama has it. What is it? Some call it swagger, some call it panache, and others say that it is uncanny composure. Nonetheless, it is an intangible characteristic that helps him appeal to the masses (obviously excluding politics). However, it seems as if today more than ever, Obama is in a class by himself when it comes to politicians with personality. By personality I don’t mean the ability to come up with cutesy retorts and one-liners to make the news cycle. I mean the ability to embrace their individuality without buying into the stiff suit cohort. Where are the politicians who enjoy spoken word, ride Harleys, and who are unashamed to say they listen to rap music? To be honest, many in mainstream America are uninformed. A lot of the electorate casts their ballots based on issues completely unrelated to candidate’s voting records and credentials. For some it’s race or gender, but for many it’s relatability. When Barack Obama said that he had Jay-z on his ipod it resonated with many people who weren’t necessarily entrenched in the political sphere. When Sarah Palin talked about her time as a hockey mom, many middle-aged mothers rejoiced that they could vote for someone just like them.
While policy is undeniably important it is only one factor in selling a candidate. It saddens me that I can’t really think of any elected officials with swagger. Trust me, lack of swagger is a bipartisan problem that needs to be addressed. While Democrats and Republicans may differ ideologically they seem to be monolithic when it comes to style and savvy. Even Obama bores me with his white shirts and red or blue straight tie. Can we get some variety? Throw in a bow tie every now and then, maybe even a pastel color. We say things our gauche because they have never been done before. David Plouffe and David Axelrod ultimately changed the way political campaigns will be conducted. Why can’t some politicians change the game?
Let’s be honest, we all know politicians are normal people. Many of them have experimented with drugs, had extramarital affairs, and have done many other things that have a negative social stigma. While I don’t think they should embrace their indiscretions, it’s time for many of them to just flat out loosen up. It would be nice to see Nancy Pelosi do the electric slide or see Jesse Jackson Jr. in the front row at a Lupe Fiasco concert. Maybe I’m asking too much of our elected officials. I just like to think that I casted my vote for a normal human being, not a robot.
edward, this is the most ironic picture ever. that moment on the ellen show was a consistent source of hearty laughter from me and a few of my friends. it was such a swagger-less moment, if you will. i mean, how much swag do you really have if you dance like that?
i always thought that this aspect of bho’s personality was more the result of situation, of juxtaposition, of context. what would be his swagger quotient if he wasn’t a black politician amongst a whole bunch of “uninteresting” elected officials? would he be as cool if he were just your uncle’s homeboy?
when i think about it, i think bho is really a geek. call me a hater, but bho always came off to me as a relatively corny dude. so much so that i figure any swag he has is probably the result of mrs. obama. my friend has a really convincing theory about her role in his “transformation.” f’real, how much swag did bho really have before he met michelle? we/they look at his “perserverance” re: her going on a date with him as humorous. but how funny was it circa 1989 when he just kept asking? not. cool.
more generally, i think your obama example opens up a discussion of the racial undertones of swagger, of being cool. bill clinton had/has swagger, right? why do we think that?
btw, the idea of nancy pelosi doing the electric slide is hilarious. oh, and her armani game is vicious.
edward, this is the most ironic picture ever. that moment on the ellen show was a consistent source of hearty laughter from me and a few of my friends. it was such a swagger-less moment, if you will. i mean, how much swag do you really have if you dance like that?
i always thought that this aspect of bho’s personality was more the result of situation, of juxtaposition, of context. what would be his swagger quotient if he wasn’t a black politician amongst a whole bunch of “uninteresting” elected officials? would he be as cool if he were just your uncle’s homeboy?
when i think about it, i think bho is really a geek. call me a hater, but bho always came off to me as a relatively corny dude. so much so that i figure any swag he has is probably the result of mrs. obama. my friend has a really convincing theory about her role in his “transformation.” f’real, how much swag did bho really have before he met michelle? we/they look at his “perserverance” re: her going on a date with him as humorous. but how funny was it circa 1989 when he just kept asking? not. cool.
more generally, i think your obama example opens up a discussion of the racial undertones of swagger, of being cool. bill clinton had/has swagger, right? why do we think that?
btw, the idea of nancy pelosi doing the electric slide is hilarious. oh, and her armani game is vicious.
Summer, I’ll admit BHO’s moves are a little stiff. But, at least he had the gusto to dance with Ellen. When I compare Obama’s swagger to Jay-z there is no comparison. But, when I think about his colleagues in the Beltway it seems as if he has an overabundance of it.
Are race and swagger inextricably linked? Maybe. When I think of swagger White people don’t usually come to mind. However, when I mull over the concept I picture Robin Thicke, Mark Walhberg, Anderson Cooper, Pink, and Angelina Jolie. My definition of swag is a loose one. The main criterion is to be cool without trying, and have the ability to liven up the dullest of atmospheres, and grab attention without even speaking.
Your friend’s Michelle Obama theory is interesting. Michelle was probably the golden link that attached Barack Obama to the African American experience. However, I don’t think Michelle helped Barack refine his swag. I think BHO’s swag comes from the culmination of diverse life experiences.
Summer, I’ll admit BHO’s moves are a little stiff. But, at least he had the gusto to dance with Ellen. When I compare Obama’s swagger to Jay-z there is no comparison. But, when I think about his colleagues in the Beltway it seems as if he has an overabundance of it.
Are race and swagger inextricably linked? Maybe. When I think of swagger White people don’t usually come to mind. However, when I mull over the concept I picture Robin Thicke, Mark Walhberg, Anderson Cooper, Pink, and Angelina Jolie. My definition of swag is a loose one. The main criterion is to be cool without trying, and have the ability to liven up the dullest of atmospheres, and grab attention without even speaking.
Your friend’s Michelle Obama theory is interesting. Michelle was probably the golden link that attached Barack Obama to the African American experience. However, I don’t think Michelle helped Barack refine his swag. I think BHO’s swag comes from the culmination of diverse life experiences.
a little stiff? you’re so generous. michelle’s ellen dance was way better. the homies and i had a brief debate about michelle’s favorite house song. yes, we’re assuming that chicago roots make her a house head.
you can’t really have swag w/o black folks. swag, just
like its predecessor (the) cool, needs a black conduit. think about who you just named: thicke–r&b cat w/ a black wife no one paid attention to when he was a long-haired skinny white dude, riding a bike, remixing beethoven’s fifth; marky mark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-Ln1iMkV4 ; anderson cooper got super famous by capitalizing off of the trauma of hurricane katrina; pink was initially signed as an artist on laface records (implicit black approval)… we could do this all day.
though i’m sure his life experiences made him interesting, i think what little swag he has he got from/via michelle.
great post, great convo.
a little stiff? you’re so generous. michelle’s ellen dance was way better. the homies and i had a brief debate about michelle’s favorite house song. yes, we’re assuming that chicago roots make her a house head.
you can’t really have swag w/o black folks. swag, just
like its predecessor (the) cool, needs a black conduit. think about who you just named: thicke–r&b cat w/ a black wife no one paid attention to when he was a long-haired skinny white dude, riding a bike, remixing beethoven’s fifth; marky mark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-Ln1iMkV4 ; anderson cooper got super famous by capitalizing off of the trauma of hurricane katrina; pink was initially signed as an artist on laface records (implicit black approval)… we could do this all day.
though i’m sure his life experiences made him interesting, i think what little swag he has he got from/via michelle.
great post, great convo.
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impracticable to be silent.
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impracticable to be silent.