T'Aint "Elitist" to Be Anti-Palin

I HATE TO pull rank here. But it seems I am almost the only Republican still standing who can criticize Sarah Palin without being accused by my fellow conservatives of suffering from an "elite education. "

Peggy Noonan, David Brooks, Christopher Buckley, Kathleen Parker and [my husband] David Frum have all had their heads put on pikes by the self-appointed rulers of Conservatism. As Rush Limbaugh said:

These are the people who are embarrassed by Sarah Palin 'cause she's not an intellectual and she didn't go to Harvard or have a college degree from approved universities and she drops her g's from words like morning and says mornin'. She's embarrassing, and I think something else really bothering these people is that they believe that she may become one of the key leaders of the conservative movement beyond 2008 if she and McCain lose this.

Those with degrees from approved universities are capable of mounting their own defense. But what about those of us who did not go to Harvard -- and yet whose eyes still bug out at the prospect of a Palin vice presidency, let alone the prospect of her as a "key leader"in the future?

In fact, not only did I NOT go to Harvard, I have no education to speak of. Not beyond high school anyway (and it was one of those large, urban high schools from which many of the most successful graduates went on to become garage mechanics). To paraphrase Melville, a tabloid newspaper was my Yale and my Harvard (and yes, it is possible to have read Melville without attending Yale and Harvard. It's Sarah Palin's kind of story, too: lots of huntin' and guttin' ).

My lack of post-secondary education isn't something I'm proud of. Certainly I've never been moved to boast about it in public. Honestly, if I'd had more sense at eighteen, I would have gone to college -- preferably, an elite one. But I grew up in a newspaper family and was eager to join the business. So instead of spending my early twenties engaged in discussions of Keynes and Friedman, I found myself knocking on the metal doors of public housing developments, asking residents for recent photos of their murdered children. I never said "Get me rewrite" because, more often than not, I WAS rewrite. And like Palin, I was raised to disdain anyone who thought himself too clever or above everyone else (usually a reporter from the competing broadsheet). In my world, an elite degree marked you as someone with permanently retarded judgment, a reader of The New Yorker -- the sort of person of whom Orwell would write, "Only an intellectual could say something so stupid."

Maybe it's because of my background that I've been wary of Palin from the get-go -- and more than taken aback by those who insist the only reason a conservative could oppose her would be because of intellectual snobbery.

Don't get me wrong: I love the idea of Sarah Palin. She conforms to an early American (and pre-feminist) ideal of womanhood: rifle on one hip, baby on the other. I love her modern incarnation of this ideal, complete with Sex-in-the-Tundra wardrobe and kick-ass Jimmy Choos (even if they are paid for by the RNC). I love the idea she represents "common sense" over fancy-pants theorizing. I love -- and certainly identify with -- her real world, "out there" experience over her opponents' closed-off years in Washington. Truly, there are few women I'd rather share a beer with.

The problem is that the reality of Sarah Palin does not match the idea of Sarah Palin. It's as plain as day -- glaringly obvious! -- that she's unfit for the job she's running for. We wouldn't expect the best darn regional car saleswoman to be appointed the next vice president of General Motors. We wouldn't fly in a commercial plane piloted by someone with a Cessna license because we trusted her gut. We wouldn't follow a woman into battle because she's a crack shot at moose hunting. Why is it unreasonable -- or snobbish! -- to have expected a better choice from our party for the next potential leader of the free world?

And please don't reply with, "The other side doesn't have experience either!" That's an argument you can make without having graduated from elementary school.

Those of us who came of age as Reagan Republicans expected more from ourselves. Leave the left to its demagoguery and name-calling. We'll make the case using facts, reason - -and yes, common sense.

Now it seems my side are the ones circling the wagons, shouting abuse at dissenters -- determined to lose rather than ask ourselves why we aren't winning.

As Orwell once might have said...

Comments

[joecairo]

TWO BASES, TWO FACES

The confused look in the old man's eyes tells the story. It's John McCain and he is talking to his "base". Except that it's not HIS base, it's the RNC's base and they are not the same thing.

Senator McCain, a man I once viewed with great respect, is torn between his allegiance to the people who have always supported him and the Right-Wing of his own party who NEVER supported him...unti­l this election.

You can see the conflict boiling inside him. This is a man who is competing with his own instincts. This once revered "maverick" is trying to get by on the reputation he had 8 years ago.

How else do explain the erratic behavior, the pick of Palin, the hiring of the lobbyists to run his campaign, the use of the same tactics and the same people who so viciously attacked him in 2000?

He’s let his hunger for the office override his better judgment. This is NOT the man I once admired. That John McCain, unfortunately, never got over losing to George W. Bush. He’s sulked over the last 8 years, all the while selling bits and pieces of his political soul to the group he has the least affinity with. He’s trying to adapt his personality to a perceived political reality that he doesn’t fully embrace and the strain on him is palpable.

[leucippe]

Sarah Palin defined 'elite' in an interview as "one who thinks they know more than you do."
that says it all.
McCain said NY and Washington types, esp Georgetown cocktail parties.

[anney]

Palin: an elitist is "one who thinks they know more than you do."

Then anyone who knows what the Bush doctrine is is an elitist in Palin's book. Or anybody who knows the value of scientific research using fruit flies is an elitist in Palin's book. Or anybody who knows the responsibilities of the vice president is an elitist in Palin's book.

She should've just said, "An elitist is anyone who knows more than I do."

[TrueBlueMajority]

my favorite part of this essay: "We wouldn't expect the best darn regional car saleswoman to be appointed the next vice president of General Motors."

my friends and I have been saying a version of this for weeks. Being a small town mayor for a few years, and a small population state governor for less than two years, is not enough executive experience to be President of the United States. It's like saying that the best night manager at Denny's has had enough management experience to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. She has had minor league double AA executive experience but not with the same degree of difficulty required to be the leader of the free world. She is just plain out of her league. She would be even more of an embarrassment than GWB.

Thanks for speaking out.

[Michale32086]

Lee Iacocca comes to mind..

Didn't he start from humble beginnings­...

Michale...­..

[sixx]

Lee Iacocca brought Chrysler to near bankruptcy and was bailed out by the federal government.

[Bluebloodsbastardson]

he had a brain and some good sense.....­apples and oranges

[leticia32]

Humble beginnings, yes many successful people come from there. But coming from humble beginnings is not enough. I'm surprised you didn't mention Lincoln, too. The list is very long, includes men and women. But, those who overcome their "humble beginnings" are usually very intelligent, creative, clever, resourceful, and some have incredibly good luck. SP is not highly intelligent, and she's proud of it.

[wolfgangmo]

Yes, he sort of did, and then he earned his way to the top by proving himself over and over again and learning his ass off.

Sarah seems to have smiled and backstabbed her way to the middle..

[CitizenE]

Barack Obama's from humble beginnings. He's had a much longer row to hoe than Palin, and from early adulthood, he has both excelled and demonstrated an amazing talent for growth in everything he's put his hand to. President of Harvard Law Review, taught Constitutional Law at the U of Chicago. He's gone from community organizer in a tough, entrenched city political scene to graduate work on the state government level, and in two years of post graduate US Senate, had a rather remarkable legislative record including major domestic and national security bills fashioned with members of the other party. He's run a historically brilliant Presidential campaign, in which while the whole nation has been tanking, he's managed to get millions to invest a c note with no other hope than his election. He's beaten the most powerful political family in the Democratic party in the last 40 years and slammed a war hero Senator who has been trying to reach the same office for over a decade.

Palin doesn't have anywhere near the experience--Obama's campaign covered far more ground than the state of Alaska, encompassing far more people--or the, let's face it, breadth of knowledge. She has charm skillls, some smarts, and a whole bunch of spunk, but she hasn't yet even figured out the internet, which far more than mainstream media has brought her down. Palin may be the most popular in her clique; Obama is a very rare and gifted talent.

[breezyholler]

Can anyone in their right mind visualize a Sarah Palin ...going up against a successful and popular President Obama in 2012....wh­at a freakin joke that would be ...even if she attended Harvard for the next four years..All the lipstick and high fashion in the world can't make a pit bull look like a qualified leader...

[BleedingArtLiberal]

Elitist = A progressive minded individual of average or greater intelligence who counters idiotic and inaccurate statements by less intelligent, small minded individuals with facts.

[Ben is right]

Liberal- a person who makes up definitions for words like 'elitist.'

[dc2nm]

lib⋅er⋅al
   /ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl/
–adjective
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
–noun
14. a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.

Yes...I am proud in my attempt to be a liberal. It is hard to be a pure liberal, but it is a good goal to have.

[wolfgangmo]

Ben - someone on whom self irony is lost, lost, lost.

[BleedingArtLiberal]

Actually, Sunshine, I think it was your party who truly redefined "elitist".­.. as well as "patriotism" (nationalism, fear mongering, the notion that you can do nothing for your country if you display the flag), "Honesty" (lies), "Real Americans" (suckers / single issue voters who will vote against their own interests; straight, conservative citizens who drop their "g's" and wink for no reason), "Sexism" (only relevant when republicans have a female candidate, an empty way to attack critics of our candidate when no other argument can be made), "Socialism" (A devisive label to give the better candidate when all else has failed, "Life" (only really valid and worthy of protection before birth)... the list goes on and on and on and on,,,

[Star2000dancer]

In that case I'd be an elitist. However I was born in poverty & noy=t aristocracy, so I could never be accepted by the true elitists.. I know, I've played with them, but was never sccepted by them.

[FlamingLibrul]

Folks, this is what the Palin apologists don't want us to be talking about. That's why integrity-­challenged repubs have perfected the art of changing the subject:

http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/542179.html

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/10/palin_clothing.html

[Ben is right]

I don't mind if you talk about it. I guess that means I'm not "integrity­-challenge­d." You can't even cut somebody down without trying to be PC about it. That's funny.

You want to talk about it. Ok. Clothing and appearance costs. She's a woman. Enough said. She's expected to look nice, and it costs more and takes more time for a woman to look nice than for a man. Women, help me out here. I know that sounds sexist to some. I prefer to think of it as being understanding. The boston.com story you reference says there is no reporting from the Democrats of such spending in their campaign. Well who thought there would be? Have you seen Joe Biden?

In the other piece, Sarah Palin has an approval rating that is about 600 times better than the current Democrat controlled Congress. She hasn't slipped with Republicans at all, and at least one Democrat in the story says he still approves of her as governor, just not as a vice-presidential candidate. So he's a Democrat who's voting for Obama? What's your point?

[dramamama1]

Yep, you sound sexist, and heck no, this woman won't help you out.
wink, wink. You betcha!

[joecairo]

You make a valid point. However, in my way of thinking, it was the choice of stores and designer labels that sticks in the craw.

A Nordstroms wasn't good enough? Bleating on and on about the "Elitists" and Georgetown Dilettantes, then spending money hand over fist to look their part seems a tad too disingenuous to me.

But, I feel that way about most "reformers", no matter the gender. The standard M.O. is to replace one set of cronies with another so that the beat goes on, no matter who is in term.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Ronald Reagan showed all Americans that you don't have to have an "elite" education to be a Great President. (Whether or not you agree with his policies, it's hard to argue that Reagan was not a Great President). Therefore, the idea that you HAVE to have an elite education to be qualified is sort of absurd.

With that being said, Sarah Palin is NO Ronald Reagan. Anyone who says otherwise is blaspheming the name of our 40th President. I am absolutely sure that Nancy would agree.

[bazookajoe]

Ronald Reagan projected the image of a great president. However he was not great. His greatness is a myth. Just like the republican vision of the perfect America of the 50s. His policies promoted American profligacy in the worst way, he very much favored the wealthy, and he helped give voice to a loudmouth "moral majority" that condemned diversity. (just like Palin). The false heroics of Reagan have finally showed their true colors... republican policy is unsustainable in the long term.

"Elite" education or not, one had better be very well educated in domestic and world affairs to be president.

[salzy1]

Totally with you about Reagan. He played the part of President as the B actor that he was. I had to suffer through the 8 years of his presidency, cringing and wringing my hands. His waving and cajoling airs never fooled me for one minute. Sadly, he was not all there mentally to be at the helm during his second term, so Nancy and the astrologers ran the show. What a sham! His policies still live in the Republican Pary, like an insidious cancer. We must be vigilant now and let reason and brains once again run our country.

[arethusa]

Sarah Palin is unfit, not because she didn't go to Harvard, but because she didn't make the most of the public education she had. She is neither smart nor knowledgeable. My siblings and I came from a small Western town, but my parents believed in education and in using your education not only to do well but to do good. Ms. Palin is a very pallid imitation of my grandmother--a homesteader, a single parent with two small boys, who lived through the depression. She would have been as dismayed as I am at a nominee for vice president with a razor-thin resume, totally unqualified to be president. Ms. Palin's achievements? She is no maverick. Her ethical violations put her in a class with the Washington types like Ted Stevens; she would do anything to gain and maintain power like Cheney; her expenditures in Alaska mark her as a risky spender; she lied about the bridge to nowhere, etc.; her use of patronage raises a red flag; her incoherence and the ignorance she demonstrates in discussions and debates are damning proof of her lack of the competence. She seems to have spent most of her time as governor at home. As Ms Crittenden says, you don't ask the pilot of a Cesna to fly a 767. Oh, and she doesn't understand basic genetic research with fruitflies. Vote Obama--a smart choice.

[wolfgangmo]

Arguments could be made that Reagan was not a great president, but rather an horribly bad one.

[robeson]

notconfind­tweenhatnb­oots "(Whether or not you agree with his policies, it's hard to argue that Reagan was not a Great President)"

I find it quite easy to disagree with you.

[Panglos]

Actually, it's very easy to argue that Ronald Reagan was anything but a great President. The economic mess in which we now find ourselves is a direct consequence of the policies, which are themselves a direct result of the ideology, of Ronald Reagan. Just ask Alan Greenspan.

George H. W. Bush was right when he decried Reagan's "voodoo economics". The spell has finally broken, and the results aren't pretty.

[Michale32086]

seenitall

}}}}
I assume you guys are visiting HuffPo so you don't have to view the polls scrolling across every channel...­sad time for you, I know.
{{{{

Visiting??

Are you kidding!? I practically live here!! :D

You see that cot and COMMODORE 64 set up in the corner??

That's for me... :D

Michale...­..

[JMBrodie]

Michale, you have heart.

I don't agree with you on most things. That's why I am glad you are here. Keep posting.

[Michale32086]

:D As long as they let me.. :D

Thanx...

Michale...­..

[seenitall]

well, I have a Tandy 1000 and am very sorry to include you with Ben_whatev­er...apolo­gies.

[seenitall]

apparently, really sorry....:­-)

[seenitall]

:-( Oh dear, Michale..I have a Tandy 1000 SL and am sorry to include you with Ben_whatev­er...my apologies. :-(

[PepperzMom]

you forgot your Star Trek DVD's...

[Michale32086]

Touche' :D

Just remember. There ain't nothing worth knowing that you can't learn from Star Trek...

For reference:

Star Trek 11: The Obama Factor
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/star-trek-11-the-obama-fa_b_137096.html

Michale...­..

[raymondjiii]

Danielle's husband sure is an "elitist"

-you betcha!

[Irishfly]

Great post, Danielle. Your clear and thoughtful writing definitely shows that a college degree is not necessarily indicative of intelligence, for you are obviously a very bright and gifted woman.

As far as Palin, I wish I could say the same. Oh, she's gifted in some ways, she certainly looks great on TV, but curiosity and understanding she lacks.

[Ben is right]

That's funny, Democrat and former editor of Ms. Magazine, Elaine Lafferty, says otherwise. See her article.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-27/sarah-palins-a-brainiac

[kristin1030]

Elaine Lafferty as a PAID MCCAIN CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT says otherwise.

[JMBrodie]

Agredd.

Look, I was no fan of Reagan. Still not. But I at least give him credit for carrying himself like a president.

Palin's exclusionary language scares me. We have a diverse society, and the days of celebrating only one aspect of it are over, or at least coming to an end.

Thank God.

[Michale32086]

JMBrodie

}}}}}}
Let Palin go through the gauntlet, like Obama did. Until then, she has proven nothing. Let her answer for the AIP, her husband's involvement in it, the hateful anti-American language of its founder.

Let her answer questions about her patriotism.

Let her answer for the political scandal, the bridge to nowhere, her association with a convicted felon.

Let her go into the "enemy camp" at MSNBC as Obama did with O'Reilly.

Let her be grilled on her foreign policy positions, let her defend her stance on the Bush Doctrine, the Surge, Bin laden, Georgia, Iran, North Korea.

Let her answer for where those of us who don't live in small towns fit into her vision of America.

Let's hear he defend or repudiate the acts of those who work on her behalf. Let's hear her make a speech about how we are all Americans -- or does she not believe that?

Let her go through 21 months of scrutiny, a real public vetting, then talk to me about double standards.
{{{{{

In short, you want Palin to be treated as the PRESIDENTIAL nominee??

How is that NOT a double standard???

Michale...­..

[JMBrodie]

I want her to be treated as someone who could be president -- as all involved have been.

Are you saying that you want less from the leader of your country?

[Michale32086]

Absotively not...

I am simply gabberflasted at the attention that Palin is getting. She is only the VP nominee and the GOP ticket doesn't really stand a snowball's chance in hell, now does it??

This being the case, I just wonder why so much energy is being expended over her..

For the record, I am a demonstrable OBAMA supporter.­..

Michale...­.

[FlamingLibrul]

Biden has been grilled on: Foreign Policy, Financial Policy, His AND Obama's patriotism, was just forced to defend his entire ticket against charges of being "Marxist," goes on Fake news and ALL media outlets, has every misstep categorized and run endlessly on Fake news, is still reminded of a plagarism charge from what, 20 years ago?, and in short, is treated just as harshly as Obama. Palin is a fundamentalist cheerleader, not a politician, who is causing strife within her own party- you know, the whole "Going Rogue" saga? The wingnut whining and fakery is really getting old. Justice will be served on Nov. 4th, when the "Fake Americans" take their country back.

[Michale32086]

My point was that Mr Brodie was wanting Palin to go thru the same things that OBAMA has gone thru.

Where is the logic in that??

Michale...­...

[Manitoba]

Has any reporter checked out the State of Alaska Court Registry sytem...sp­ecifically the Alaska Trial Court Name index?? Type in Sarah Palin and some interesting stuff pops up. It seems also that a James Palin is a frequent flyer in the Alaskan Courts system.

[LiteSleeper]

No Michale,

When someone throws stones they shouldn't live in glass houses. Ms Palin does not get to throw bombs and not answer for the consequences. If she herself cannot substantively answer the same character questions she lodges against Mr. Obama, then she should be quiet or at least explain why she doesn't live up to her own standards. The fact that she doesn't and won't should raise more questions in your mind as to HER readiness.

[Michale32086]

I have absolutely NO QUESTIONS about the readiness of Palin..

Simply because I am a demonstrable OBAMA supporter and will exercise that support tomorrow at the Voting station... Ergo, I really don't care whether Palin is "ready" or not..

My question is, why do ya'all care about Palin's readiness?? Are you having some intentions to vote for her and McCain??

Michale...­..

[Michale32086]

gogobigO

}}}}}}
yes and obviously ben you have never read any comments from the actual people of Alaska....­Because i was VERY curious where McTic got his poll that SP was the most popular governor ........??­??? I think if maybe you've read any Alaskan newspapers. The people of Alaska aren't thinking LOVE and popularity for their governor at all but, impeachment, unfairness, corruption. Most feel like they have been swindled. go to adn.com and read for yourself..­...
{{{{{{

Here it is...

Alaska's governor tops the approval rating charts
89-93 POLL RATINGS: Palin has pleased most voters by sticking to her promises.
http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8931698p-8831940c.html

Granted, that's from May of 07...

If you have any current listing that's prior to her being selected as the VP nominee, I would be interested in seeing it...

Michale...­..

[gogobigO]

Yes, Thanks for the link , and i have seen this one...just looking for one more current , since the d the troopergat­e...all the comments about her being abusive of power etc., their land rights bought by the city, the sports complex being so expensive, the building of the half million dollar home by the dudes "buddies" etc etc.. I give everyone a fair shot and would truly, like to see something that proves me wrong on her apparent UNpopularity right now in Alaska....

[Michale32086]

To be perfectly honest, any popularity polls that came out after her VP nominee would probably be too biased to be useful..

That's why I was hoping you had a 2008 poll that was put out prior to her VP nod.. That, in my not so humble opinion, would be the most accurate..­.

Michale...­..

[SusaninIN]

Last i heard was 68 and still dropping.

[Michale32086]

Cite??

Michale...­..

[btanner]

To all those who think it's elitist to be anti-Palin, all I can say is TOUGH, DEAL WITH IT! lol I suggest the GOP come up with a more qualified candidate than her beyond this election. If they can't then they're in a sorrier state than they care to admit. Now, implode!

[peacegurl48]

Perfectly Put: "The problem is that the reality of Sarah Palin does not match the idea of Sarah Palin"

I loved the article because it illustrates what Palin is lacking: intellectual curiosity and a thirst/quest for knowledge. Palin proves that a colllege degree has little to do with Intellectual acumen.

I don't consider it elitist to expect the POTUS or VPOTUS to be articulate or to have a world view based on something other than their gut. It is also imperative to have a open mind not one narrowed by bigoted, hateful ideology. Palin is woefully not qualified to lead our country and more people see this every day.

[robeson]

Many in the Republican Party feel they cannot win national elections without the bigot vote, and Palin is their only hope to hold them.

[Ben is right]

That knife cuts both ways, robeson. Be careful. The fact that it is either untrue (certainly unproven) or inconsequential is apparently not important to you. So, if you wish to argue along those lines, I offer this. Most Democrats feel they cannot win national elections without the black and latino vote. The word "Democrat" is their only hope to hold them, although Barack Obama's skin color doesn't hurt. Oh no. I mentioned that Obama is black. I might be a bigot. Quick! If you call me a bigot, I might shut up and go away.

[Michale32086]

"There is mimicry and there is mockery and THAT was definitely mockery."
-Dr Leonard McCoy

:D

Michale...­..

[JMBrodie]

Um, you do realize that there has been a Black candidate for president in every election since 1972. None of them has done well. They didn't get any more of the Black vote than the whites who got the nomination. In many cases they got less.

Don't go away. We are Americans. We are supposed to respect each other, even with our differences. This is what we keep saying makes us better.

Now we can have an intelligent conversation about race -- one that acknowledges the history of Blacks in the US (slavery, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, literacy tests, Klan threats, lynchings, vote suppression) -- or we can add to the din of the stupid and keep on yelling.

Your call.

[anney]

"Most Democrats feel they cannot win national elections without the black and latino vote."

=====

Does this mean that "most Republicans feel they can win national elections without the black and latino vote"?

Good government by Democrats or Republicans include votes from all cultures and races because their concerns have been recognized and addressed. That's what candidates do who are interested in government of, for, and by all of America's citizens. When you omit them, you can't win elections; therefore, you can't govern. It's pretty simple.

[FlamingLibrul]

I guess that means Sociology textbooks are racist too- you know, with all the talk about minorities and foreigners and society and stuff. It amazes me that right wingers aren't ashamed to make such ignorant arguments.

[anney]

"Most Democrats feel they cannot win national elections without the black and latino vote."

=====

Does this mean that "most Republicans feel they can win national elections without the black and latino vote"?

Good government by Democrats or Republicans include votes from all cultures and races because their concerns have been recognized and addressed. That's what candidates do who are interested in government of, for, and by all of America's citizens. When you omit them, you can't win elections; therefore, you can't govern. It's pretty simple.