NO TIES WITH THAT
Drudge links a story that attendees at an Indianapolish speech by President Bush were asked to take off their neckties so as to appear more like “ordinary people” for the cameras. This sort of silliness is nothing unusual and, indeed, is good old fashioned political image making. But I find it odd that we would want to convey the idea that “ordinary people” wouldn’t put on a tie when they’re going to see the President of the United States speak, indoors in the springtime no less.
The treatment of Brian Bosma was ridiculous – trivial, yes, but still ridiculous, and condescending. In the first photo, he looks like a well-dressed politician in an expensive suit and tie, which after all is what he IS. In the next photo, with the tie and the pocket square taken away, the jacket open and the shirt collar unbuttoned, he looks like a panhandler who put on a suit that doesn’t fit.
I understand stagecraft, but it is not necessary to turn human beings into prop by literally dressing them up (or down) in costumes. I guess he and the other “VIPs” were lucky they didn’t have their suits taken away too, in exchange for overalls. And I assume they were allowed to keep their shoes on? Wingtips and Gucci loafers don’t go with the “ordinary feller” routine.
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