George W. Bush as Joe Six-Pack

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 08/11/2002 | Steve Kettmann

[Pokey78]

New York -- It's easy to laugh, as many political analysts and pundits do, when George W. Bush makes yet another over-the-top effort to show how much he loves sports. In the realm of conventional, self-consciously serious political analysis, there is simply no room to consider the political benefits of bringing a compulsive sports obsession to the White House. .

[NorCoGOP]

Bush understands what many political pundits fail to see, that to most Americans, politics is a spectacle, like sports and chicks fighting on talk shows.

FINALLY, an explanation for the Clinton years.....

[Paul Atreides]

I really wish these people could decide on a story and stick to it; first he is too stupid to get out of bed; next, he is so crafty and cunning, he is going to take over the world; next, he is too stupid to pronounce big words; next, he is so sly, he was pulling the wool over everyone's eyes with complex business dealings; next, he is the goofy frat-boy, not ready for complex issues; now, he is the elitist, trying to make himself seem one of the guys.

[Becwin]

This is also a jab at Bush over the drinking thing.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

What a jerk. I suppose in his cynical little world, a man can't be both President of the United States and normal. He apparently never entertained the notion that President Bush is a real sports fan, and takes his fitness seriously. All you need to do is look at the man's life prior to his presidency to see that.

[carmody]

Clinton only got excited when the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models came to visit.

[Erasmus]

Steve Kettmann, a former Chronicle baseball writer, is now a freelancer.

And one can see why. <>--<)B^)

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Such as this article,"hypocrats"are attacking BUSH from all angles.This is why i would vote for a crooked republican and NEVER an honest democrat!

[Afronaut]

"Back in the '60s, the simple notion of selling presidential candidates the way you would sell soap struck many as surprising. Then Joe McGinniss published "The Selling of the President 1968." Soon the idea was accepted as a commonplace."

and perceived as truth by some, I might add. Too bad this guy missed the wood cutting, sweat, and blood from the other day.

Go ahead call me a Rat again. Ever see Invasion of the Body Snatchers?

[Allegra]

Steve Kettman is probably a big ol' fat out-of-shape guy.

We here in Houston are asking the Burning Question: Will the President come here on September 8th to help us open our brand new NFL team's inaugural game? His parents will be there, but we haven't heard about Dubya.

shameless vanity plug for our newborn Houston Texans!

[Randjuke]

What exactly is this guy's complaint anyway? The fact that Bush likes baseball and is physically fit? I don't get it...

Agreed - he (the author) sounds vaguely unhappy that GWB is a good athlete and enjoys sports, is this his point? So what?

[cubreporter]

You know it alwasy makes me wonder how they talk about Bush being RICH and his "daddy" being rich. So what? The Senior Kennedy was rich too. He was "daddy" to Jack, Bobby and Teddy? So what? Clintons are rich. Jesse Jackson is rich. Gore is rich. so what???? If the other side is gonna knock the rich they need to start with their own crowd first.

[Miss Marple]

For you and all your friends at DU:

You may find this hard to understand, but many of us appreciate a President who likes normal everyday things, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cutting brush, and country western music.

We have had eight years of Clinton pretending to be an intellectual giant, sophisticated in his tastes and above the common touch (except when sex enters the picture).

All Presidents do photo opportunities. It is part of the job. THIS President is the real deal. Too bad for you and your buddies...the public recognizes President Bush as one of us. Case closed.

[cubreporter]

Jealousy rears its ugly head again in the form of this writer. President Bush is fit. President Bush is a good man. President Bush gives credit to others. President Bush is one of our greatest Presidents.

[TADSLOS]

We find ourselves with a sports-star-in-chief...

I'll take a sports-star-in-chief over a Rapist/Liar-in chief anytime, anywhere.

[jwalsh07]

Steve Kettmann, a former Chronicle baseball writer, is now a freelancer.

I can see why.

[oyez]

Steve Kettmann, a former Chronicle baseball writer, is now a freelancer.

I think I know why he is a former Chronicle baseball writer. As for freelance, he probably didn't get paid to write this because nobody but an idiot would pay good money for it. Deep Six award for the week.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

The guy who wrote this got in some good cheap shots against Dubya, but even he couldn't ignore this:

"Bush understands that there is always going to be a moral distinction between being the one who actually takes action, and being the one who talks about doing something."

[Ole Okie]

Out-of-shape reporters everywhere are so jealous of him, this is now a big part of their negative focus...Pres. Bush's amazing health, discipline and physical abilities.

Yes. It's now being spun along these lines:

"He's spending too much time exercising instead of taking care of the job the Amurican pipples elected him to do."

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Does anyone know how to get this as quote of the day? (or month) This is right on!

[Paul Atreides]

Humbly bowing.