After spending an evening listening to the engaging ideas of former Governor George Allen, I came away convinced that Allen was not a typical politician. Allen appeared perfectly at ease on Tuesday, Oct. 20, as he lectured to the standing-room only crowd that packed Jefferson Hall. Allen was invited to speak on Grounds by the Edmund Burke Society, and the event was co-hosted by the Campus Republicans and the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society. Allen delivered a provocative speech exploring the tough realities of the American energy crisis often ignored by conventional politicians. As I listened to Allen's lecture I was struck, not by the obvious validity of his ideas, but by the force of the man. As Mark Twain once commented, "A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval." Allen appeared as confident sporting his cowboy boots and using football metaphors to demystify the American political system as any talented University professor seems guiding students in their academic pursuits.
I felt a great sense of pride as I observed Allen present his ideas for reforming American energy policy, knowing that a University education could produce that caliber of expertise. By profession, Allen is a lawyer, a politician, and a businessman, but as he spoke on Tuesday night, he projected an aura of leadership less linked to politics than to passion. As Allen commented, "If America adopted just these five positive reforms and innovations, we would unleash American creativity for American jobs, competitiveness, national security and American Energy Freedom!" Clearly, Allen feels strongly that America and the Commonwealth of Virginia need to strive for energy independence. Allen's persona hearkens back to an era when politics was a social, rather than a performing art. Upon meeting Allen one is immediately impressed by his jovial manner. Allen's conversation quickly turns to humor and the man is not afraid to voice his opinion, even in the face of opposition. Allen embodies the fading ideal of the Jacksonian politician.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Allen's political policies is irrelevant when considering the importance of the political archetype Allen embodies. He signifies a breed of politicians that is fading into the graveyard of the American political system. These are politicians with truly common roots, educated outside the halls of Ivy League institutions. Allen is one of the last political leaders to remain stubbornly unfettered to teleprompters and a legion of overpaid speech writers. As was evident at the energy policy speech, Allen subscribes to a type of politics that is based on relationships rather showmanship. Allen made his case for energy independence with ease, barely glancing at his notes. The political informality Allen displayed proved refreshing, while simultaneously serving as an antithesis to the stiflingly scripted performances which permeate America's current celebrity age of politics.
The endearing informality practiced by Jacksonian politicians such as Allen is the same quality that makes the political remnant unable to survive in modern government. The American electorate values perfectly scripted political presentation over politicians that are actually attempting to convey the methods they would use to govern. As philosopher Haridas Chaudhuri notes, "The greater the emphasis on perfection, the further it recedes." Allen, and the few remaining politicians like him, unapologetically convey their policy stances to the electorate and rarely shy away from exposing the hard economic and political realities facing the nation. The genuineness of those politicians' messages and the unceremonious way in which the communications are presented makes it nearly impossible for this type of politician to compete against the shell of perfection embodied in their celebrity counterparts. The American electorate is seldom willing to engage hard truths and would rather be entertained by glamorously presented political fluff then listen to the plainly spoken truth.
Politics has always been an art, but the changing values of American culture have simultaneously morphed the ideals of politics. The commercialization of the American dream from a desire to live respectably to a desire for instant fame and a life of excess has likewise signaled a shift in American political values. Americans no longer want a politician that possesses a talent for truthfully relating to the people. Instead, Americans desire a politician that is able to deliver an entertaining and feel-good message regardless of the political reality. The unapologetic, straightforward approach of leaders like former Governor Allen therefore precludes them from the modern definition of a politician.
Ginny Robinson is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
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