Like the rousing second act closing number of an old fashioned musical, where the wind comes right behind the rain, the appearance on the scene of a bona fide political media star - declaiming a lost paradise, pointing to a brighter future - giving ardent voice to hope and new direction coupled with that melodic cadence, (itself a reminder of a simpler, more cheerful past), has the magical affect of drawing one up onto that stage, to share the moment, to wish upon the star of promise. Such is the power of magnetism?
There's nothing like watching charisma. It's the pixie-dust of mass entertainment and rocket-fuel ignited under the ambitions of newly-minted aspirants to the greatest office in the land. If married to sensible ideas and a perception of competence the charismatic then has the opportunity to launch himself at the wall of power. If he's made the right friends and paid proper respect to those in a position to destroy him then his chances gain a place among the betting lines of the network political casinos. Aligned with the popular cause of the day - out of Iraq, vote Barack - gathering support like a my keyboard gathers dust, rolling into towns with names derived from ancient native languages and French explorers whose citizens cheer from behind farm implements with signs fashioned from hemp-board, our hero is hailed as the rightful heir, and soon is taken seriously like severe weather or hopefully, the ideas of Ron Paul.
There is no substitute for the magic, though I'm willing to bet the meat-cloners, fresh from their miraculous defeat of nature's laws will attempt in vitro to reproduce the Elvis/JFK magic, sell it to General Electric, and stand back as it is administered to NBC anchor Brian Williams as a kind of booster-shot.
There must be something in the genes built up over millennia that allows humans to place trust in a stranger seen only from a great distance, but whose visage so pleases, and voice so encouraging and calming compels us to follow and wish to be lead. It's as if the corner of Obama's smile can absolve the national debts and his kindling-stick fingers when gathered up in a wave can signal the reconstitution of the now tattered Constitution.
To inspire hope and a clean slate, to offer renewal and still be real, gather dreams like caucus ballots boxed and put aside until a new state entertains the magic one.
On and on he goes bringing his song to the appointed crescendo, casting the spell of what might be. There's nothing like watching charisma.
Beware the machine.
