Awkward, certainly, but he actually makes some good points.
I thought it would be much worse than it was. 90% of my cringeing was in anticipation of awkwardness that never arrived.
3: Going for "cool", I think. If only he played the bass [*snicker*].
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OT: "Justice, Liberty, Prosperity" --South Sudan a nation. Sorry to interrupt the important political discussion.
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3: Well, the first half looks like it would vaguely appeal to the center and right. Lists half a dozen country singers, but says his all-time favorite is Bruce Springsteen, who is personally liberal but was used by Reagan and sounds all blue-collar and shit. Then in the second half, he talks really in-depth and approvingly about Lady Gaga. He's not gushing, he's not a die-hard fan, but he makes it clear that he's familiar with her work and enjoys it.
So is the first part just calculated pandering, or the second part, or both? The second part actually seems more detailed and genuine than the first part, but it's hard to believe. Before the nomination he should still be pandering furiously and shamelessly to his base, not citing Springsteen by name and spending more time talking about Gaga than anyone else.
I think the Gaga part seems pretty genuine.
7: I do, too, if someone staged (as in, he knew he was going to bring it up). I just think he's a total dork.
Yeah, I dunno, I think that didn't have to sound as corny as it did. There's plenty of Republicans that go to the Basilica Block Party or the Fine Line. I don't believe he actually likes either Lady Gaga or a bunch of country singers. Springsteen I could see. If he just copped to mostly liking dad music, people would believe it, and he might actually score some points for being honest and charmingly unhip. As it was, he just sounded forced.
If I was doing Pawlenty's messaging, I'd keep him on "I lowered taxes and I like playing hockey". Might not do much better that way, but trying to fit him into some Obamaesque model of hipness is never, ever going to work.
P.S. "Born This Way" reminds me of nothing so much as that part in American Psycho where Patrick Bateman is talking about all the insipid early-80s pop.
If I remember it right from last night, the most aggravating part was the three reporters faux "what a crazy conversation he's taking us down!" -ness.
11: I thought their pose was, "Hey, *we* ask all the idiotic pointless questions around here!"
9: Springsteen isn't "dad music" these days? Pawlenty was born in 1960.
Springsteen appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek in 1975. Time and Newsweek were what we called "newsmagazines" back in the day. They were printed on paper.
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But the most engrossing part of the drama is when you've got all the individuals under one roof sitting around a table talking to each other. ...Gwen Cooper, lead actress on Torchwood:Miracle Day
Always understand that most of what actors and writers love and understand is anti-cinematic. They also rule television, which is why I watch auteur movies.
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"The coxa-trochanteral joints on the legs of the weevil Trigonopterus oblongus (Pascoe) work as a biological screw-and-nut system. The apical portions of the coxae closely resemble nuts with well-defined inner threads covering 345°. The corresponding trochanters have perfectly compatible external spiral threads of 410°."
Always understand INSECTS ARE AMAZING.
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13: No, he is dad music, perhaps I was unclear.
I thought that was some kind of comedy impersonator type thing at first -- never seen Pawlenty on TV before. That is one man who is never, ever, ever going to be President of the United States.
17. Yes I saw something about that. Astonishing. Unfortunately my second thought was, "How are the ID nuts going to spin this?"
21: "How are the ID nuts going to spin this?"
Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.
The very end was the most awkward part, I thought. His political instincts led him to bring up the fact that most good artists aren't conservatives? Oh well, at least he can fall back on his looks.