That's POTUS To You!

from Jacqueline

A few months ago I made an investment – definitely an investment, if you look at the paltry offerings on the box these days – I bought the entire seven series boxed set of The West Wing. In my humble opinion, it retains its place of excellence in TV writing, even though Bradley Whitford never looks at the person he’s talking to as he swans along the corridors of power, and even though it amazes me that so many people can be engaged in the act of perambulation without spilling a drop of the coffee they’re carrying. But I digress. As far as possible, they were sticklers for authenticity on The West Wing, with Martin Sheen – President Bartlett – referred to as “Mr. President” or “President Bartlett” most of the time, unless it’s a cozy feely bit and he’s with someone who can say, “Jed, you need rest ....”



We’re wading our way through the first season, rationing our watching to two episodes per week. First up this week was the episode where the Supreme Court upheld an execution judgement that went to appeal, and the defendant – a double-murdering drug kingpin – lost. The lawyers scrambled to get the ear of The President as he could veto the decision. In turn, President Bartlett called upon his religious and spiritual guidance people, including the minister from his old constituency in New Hampshire. Enter Karl Malden, who had known Jed Bartlett since he was a young man. He asked if he should call him Jed. Now, as usual, I can’t remember the exact response, but Sheen’s lines went something like this, “Let’s stick to ‘Mr. President’ so I remember the weight of the decision is with the office, as well as the man.” The moment was so crisp, it hung in the air.

So, here’s where I’m going with this little bit of reflection. I have noticed an increasing trend on the TV and Radio news and on talk shows, and also in the printed and online press, to refer to this nation’s President as simply, “Obama.” Now, before anyone starts, yes, I know we can all think of times when the single word, “Bush” was used (and in our house there was usually an unflattering word that preceded it), but most often on the news, for example, he was “George Bush” or “President George Bush.” Whether we liked it or not, he was the president, and whatever was said about him, he was connected with the office (oh, help us, was he ever connected with the office?).



I have a sense that if the current press secretary were Alison Janney, this trend would not go on much longer. She would drag the entire press corps in there and remind them that they are talking about the President of the United States, and even though he may have the common touch, and even though we have come to know him through the thick and thin of his campaign, and even though we may not have wanted him there, for the most part he is the President of the United States of America. President Barack Obama is on business out there in the world, and even though I am sure he doesn’t mind the odd “Obama” this or “Obama” that – we would all do well to remember the importance of the office. Maybe it was in forgetting that got us into such a terrible mess the last time.

Talking about the common touch now, as you know, I have recently returned from the UK – in fact, while I’m here, sorry about last week’s non-appearance, but I had only flown in late the night before and I was not really in a fit state to post anything. While I was there, the US Cavalry rolled into town. You heard about the many cars, helicopters and secret service agents there to protect POTUS, and you may have heard about the President’s motorcade getting stuck in Downing Street – what a giggle that was, even with all that respect. I was watching the news with my parents that day – the arrival of President Barack Obama at Number Ten Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official residence, the photo opportunity, and then the departure into the house. Just before he crossed the threshold, POTUS extended a hand to the solitary policeman who stands at the door of Number Ten (the place is always swarming with guys on the roof and up the street, but this policeman is a tradition). The President of the United States of America shook hands with the policeman, and they exchanged smiles and probably a hello. Then Gordon Brown, the PM, comes next, half extends his hand then remembers he’s about to touch the help, so shoves it back again, at which point the poor bobby is left with his hand hanging. Did I see him shrug with a wry smile? As soon I saw that footage, I said to my parents, “There you have it, there it is – that’s why I live over there!” Not that it’s all touchy feely here, and not that America gets it right every time, but there isn’t that centuries old upper crust elitism that still exists, no matter how many trendy restaurants you can now find in the East End of London, and no matter how many lords of the manor are down to their last Rembrandt.





My penultimate word today is about cars. How could it be otherwise, having seen the POTUS almost get stuck in his big old car on a London Street? One of the things that strikes anyone who travels to Europe, is the number of really cute small cars. Of course, there are those who lumber around in their Range Rovers and so on (disparagingly called Chelsea Tractors), but for the most part, you’ll see much smaller cars than over here, and many of them are so CUTE! Every time I am over there I see really snappy little cars (probably getting 60 mpg) and I’m thinking, “Why don’t we have that in the States?” Why don’t Toyota/Nissan/Ford or whoever take that design Stateside? I think the automakers here are being given the wrong instructions. Sure we can tell them to improve fuel efficiency, etc., but why don’t we just say, “Go away and make cute cars.” Not clunkers, not cars that couldn’t hold the road even if it had arms, but really nice cute little cars with great gas mileage and terrific reliability. Throw in a little retro, and you’ll be home and dry. Here’s one of my favorites:



Finally, today is Good Friday. I’ve written at Easter time before, so you probably know this is my favorite holiday. You can keep all your December and January holidays, but I adore Easter. It’s that new life thing – the air around our home is filled with the scent of orange blossom from the surrounding farms, my grass is green – in a few weeks it will be toasted brown – and signs of new life are abundant.

Have a wonderful, abundant weekend, and may your Easter be filled with joy – and chocolate. Here, have a hot crossed bun ....



PS: Oh, perhaps I should have explained for non West Wing fans: In the first episode, Sam Seaborne (Rob Lowe) takes a call which refers to his boss - "POTUS" - the President Of The United States. He'd just run his bike into a tree.