NRO is hosting a Star Trek makeover today with some fun and satirical pieces. Stephen Hayward takes the opportunity to throw out the worst square-peg/round-hole analogy I’ve heard in a long time.
This lack of sufficiency in individuals sounds very much like our GOP frontrunners. The parallels are not exact, of course, but they generally parse out in the following way: Giuliani is Piccard, with his brusque, “make-it-so” personality; McCain is the impetuous and volatile Riker; and Romney is clearly an analytical Betazoid. Each, by himself, has obvious limitations and defects, and thus appears incapable of effectively leading; combine the strengths of all three and the result would be a success.
I just can’t get grip on any of these parallels. I’m glad to know it was a “mid-martini” moment. But take a look at the other articles. Good stuff.
Also, I should note the NRO Editors speak out against a Gingrich candidacy.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
what is a “Betazoid”?
September 28th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
He gets a little too into that. Probably not worth the write-up IMO, lol One of those things that sounds revelatory and great while under the influence, but not so much afterwards.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Oh my God! Why can’t you people SPELL? I’ve caught Tommy Oliver three times with spelling, and now you, Justin? It’s “analogies.”
Sorry, pet peeve. I’m a spelling and grammar Nazi.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
His comments on what a gingrich entry would do for republicans are in line with what i was saying. I really don’t think it helps us at all.
We need to start coalescing around one or two going into december. that gives us a few months to see out of the four apparently strong candidates we have is going to be best to nominate.
to throw in one more big name would only postpone any sort of consensus and weaken us. This is what irritated me the most about fred’s late entry in the first place.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
This is about Newt’s ego, and I think the NRO editors are doing a good thing by putting his candidacy down.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
The Picard/Rudy analogy holds, but Romney works better as Mr. Spock. There isn’t anybody in either the original Star Trek or the Next Generation obnoxious enough to parallel McCain.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
So, if I can extend the analogy, what NRO would like is for all of them to assimilate into The Borg? Then resistance would be futile
September 28th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
After reading the title, I was SURE this would segway into an article about Giuliani comparing himself to Jesus.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/09/28/giuliani-compares-family-scrutiny-to-new-testament-story/
September 28th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
I actually think that, unless we can coalesce behind 1 candidate, or at most two, Newt’s entry helps the GOP regardless. Right now, Hillary’s waltzing to the Democratic nomination. The race has, in many respects, lost all interest. Imagine what it would take to make the GOP contest a genuinely 5 man race. Romney and McCain finish with stronger fundraising quarters then expected. Both have solid debate performances in the early October debate. Fred stumbles somewhat there, and Rudy’s merely average. We could be looking at McCain gaining 3-4 points, most of which come at Rudy’s expense. We could be looking at Romney gaining 4-5 points, 3-4 of which come at Fred’s expense. And we could see an additional 1-3 Fred points go into the undecided column.
In short, it wouldn’t take very much at all for us to end up with Rudy 21%, Fred 20% McCain 17%, Romney 15% in the middle of October. Enter Newt, and it we could be looking at Rudy 19%, Fred 17%, McCai 16%, Romney 14%, Newt 13%. With over 15% undecided. In other words, it wouldn’t take much at all for us to end up with a very exciting primary indeed. We could potentially benefit if the Democratic nomination is a foregone conclusion, and the Republican nomination is full of drama and wars of ideas.
Yes, there’s something to be said for unifying the party early. But, there’s also a great deal to be said for the months of from the months of free press that follow a particularly exciting primary. I think the enthusiasm generated from such a contest, is just what this party needs. Assuming things don’t get incredibly negative (yes, that’s a fairly big assumption), our candidate will benefit from a contested, closely watched, primary season.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Sampo, I’m puking my guts out!
September 28th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
It’s interesting that Rudy should use that particular parable, given that it’s one of the few passages that’s widely acknowledged (in Christian circles) to have been added after the second century. Many bibles even have an asterisk next to the parable, informing the reader that historical evidence suggests it wasn’t in any of the original Gospels.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
If you haven’t noticed, in the updated Star Trek universe, the Republican
Party does not exist.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Sampo,
Where in that story does Giuliani compare himself to Jesus?
September 28th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Matt,
Do you really think Gingrich will raise $30 Million? Do you really think he will come up with half that much? I saw him on Hannity and Colmes saying that there is about a 20% chance he will get in. If he needs anywhere close to $30 Million, it’s actually more like a .00000002% chance. You have a good mind, re-channel it back to reality a tad.