John Kerry and the American voter
SIR: Of late, I have followed with keen interest and intense admiration the rising profile of U.S. presidential hopeful, John Kerry amongst the electorate. Sourcing for information had largely been vide the foreign media. Which explains my initial sentiments when I came across Nkechi Nwosu's profile of this great challenger (The Guardian Friday, July 30, 2004, pp 26-27).
Somewhat convinced that there was nothing new/interesting to pick in the feature writing, my initial reaction could not be described as the characteristic lack of excitement of the avid reader who had nothing interesting in the piece before him. Or so thought. Talk about judging a book by its cover!
I was however proved wrong when paragraphs later, I was shocked to read that Mr. John Kerry is of a Catholic upbringing. Yes, shocked! That the Catholic persuasion does not enjoy much popularity amongst Americans is well evident not only in the average American religious life/belief (or, lack of same), but also demonstrated in the fact that till date, slain J.F. Kennedy remains the only Catholic President America has produced in the over 40-something presidents to have called the shots at/from the White House. Yet, many a few Americans who were around in the 60s would readily agree that JFK had in abundance charisma and intelligence required to occupy the exalted seat, and his religious persuasion, of little or no importance, forced to take the back seat.
Yes, trust Americans not to substitute cheap or market place sentiments such as religion, tribe or class for political ideology, personal credentials etc in electing political office holder. After all, some Christian (leaders here in Nigeria) got together in 1999, fasted and prayed that Uncle Sege should get to Aso Rock all because he went to prison and became 'born-again'. And... well, that, in itself, is another story entirely.
I do not however share Nwosu's sentiments in the penultimate paragraph of the otherwise beautifully packaged, well researched piece, that is Nwosu's comments on Kerry's drab jokes. Yes, Kerry appears too serious with little or no time to loosen up. I recall that, the late American leader who 'forgot to duck' whilst being shot at was full of humour, yet that, in itself, was not enough to deliver the goods. Who says you need an Ali Baba, or a Basorge Tariah to explain convincingly to an Oshiomhole, how the deregulation of the downstream, oil sector would further secure the dividends of democracy
Folabi Kuti,
Lagos
