The Spectator's Notes

Wednesday, 9th January 2008

Charles Moore's reflections on the week

Through all the apparent banality of campaign speeches, politicians do, in fact, convey a message about themselves. There is a vital distinction between candidates who, mentally, face outwards and those who face inwards. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair all faced outwards: they instinctively wanted to communicate with voters, just as good actors or good preachers wish to reach their audiences. Although she may well win the Democratic nomination because of her standing with the party establishment, Hillary Clinton is a politician who faces inwards. She says she ‘found her voice’ in New Hampshire, but what does her voice say? One of her stated reasons why she should be the Democratic candidate is the need to resist the ‘Republican attack machine’ (shades of the ‘vast, right-wing conspiracy’ she identified years before). No doubt that machine is strong and frightening, but surely it is not an issue for voters. Inside her head, it seems, is a constant battle with political enemies, not a conversation with the American people. The British equivalent, with this brooding inwardness verging on paranoia, is Gordon Brown. It is not a good model of leadership.

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David Watkins

January 12th, 2008 1:44am Report this comment

Charles Moore, who thinks Ann Widdecombe should be killing the fatted calf in honour of Tony Blair, should re-read the Gospels. The prodigal son publicly and passionately repented: "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son". Of all living statesmen, the invicibly smug Mr Blair is hardest to imagine using such words.

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