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Thursday, August 07, 2008
Paul Weyrich :: Townhall.com Columnist
Political Cards, Joker and Otherwise
by Paul Weyrich
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This past week we have heard non-stop about the race card. This is one of the most long-running uses of it in the political process. I first heard the term used when President Lyndon B. Johnson tried to force a reluctant Congress to pass a Great Society-type program in 1964 by invoking the memory of his predecessor, President John F. Kennedy. "He is using the JFK card," we were told. Then there was President Richard M. Nixon's China card. And when President Ronald W. Reagan walked away from an arms deal with Mikhail Gorbachev, pundits said Reagan was playing the Star Wars card. And so on.

I began to think of what card I could play if I were running for or had been elected President. I am not into cards myself so this is a difficult assignment. If I were running against Congress I would invoke the joker card.

But for the Presidency what card would I have to invoke? Well, there is the German card. I can see the headline now: "President Weyrich today invoked the German card, thus making Oktoberfest a year-long event." No, I don't think so.

I am one third Norwegian. How does this work? "President Weyrich, calling for a special session of Congress, today invoked the Norwegian card and in doing so made Lutefisk mandatory in all restaurants." Ever had Lutefisk? You will understand why that would be a loser.

Of course, there is always religion. Maybe that is the way to go. "President Weyrich today invoked the Orthodox Greek Catholic card. His use of the Orthodox Greek Catholic card has mandated that incense be used at all religious services." Incense at Baptist services? I'll wait to see what my friend Pat Robertson has to say about that. I think I already know!

What else is there? I could play the Joyce Weyrich card. That would mean everyone would have to be a great cook, a fantastic gardener, have a terrific eye for decorating and be a wonderful wife and mother. Too steep a mountain to climb? I think so.

I've got only one card left. "President Weyrich motored into Milwaukee where today he invoked the streetcar card. As a result, Milwaukee will have to re-instate streetcars on major routes and must immediately begin to re-establish the Milwaukee Electric Interurban system." That is a card I have the expertise to implement. Since I believe in local control, I would not force Milwaukee out of its own stupidity. It does appear that Milwaukee may well be the only city of the top 50 largest cites in the USA without streetcars or light rail. There are opponents of streetcars and light rail everywhere but only in Milwaukee is the opposition maniacal. Be forewarned. Now you know what card I would play if only somebody would elect me President.

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About The Author

Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Research and Education Foundation.
 
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(6 comments so Far)
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Reply # 1
Date: Aug 8, 2008 - 2:34 PM EST
Subject: Playing the New York Jewish Card
or the Jewish Mother Card, that would be my thing. I would stand up in front of a restive crowd and shout "Sit down and shut up, the whole pack of you, or I'll make you wish you had!" Then I would go on to a silent, seated hall and explain how I would play that same card on Almadinijabbadabbado and anybody else who tried to cross me.

I could also play the Three Words Only card. "PUT THAT DOWN!" "STOP THAT NOISE!" "DO IT NOW!" "CLEAN THAT UP!" and so forth. It is my firm belief that almost every command can be reduced to three one-syllable words. Anyone who ever had a Jewish mother or lived in New York would jump without thinking when I played those two cards.

After four years of me in office you would all be better people but your nerves would be shot.
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Reply # 2
Date: Aug 8, 2008 - 9:23 AM EST
satire not his thing apparently
What an odd column. It is certainly not politically offensive since it doesn't make any political points. But when it gets to the "humor" part it completely misunderstands what the playin a card metaphor is about.

The whole point is that it is not so much about the content of the legislation as the play on emotion that is evoked by playing the card. Once the card is played, the content of what is being pushed is besides the point.

To actual satirize the issue the key would be to make funny examples of how ordinary policies could be supported using the cards played. It misses the point to come up with ludicrous goals to be obtained by playing various cards.

But playing the Norwegian card to get lower top marginal rates because... could be clever with the right because.
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