Growing up in the 70's, I spent many the afternoon watching reruns of old sitcoms on TV. One of my favorites was "The Brady Bunch," and I readily admit to still catching the occasional episode or two if I stumble upon the Brady clan while flipping through the channels. But I never thought a 25 year-old TV show would help crystallize what I've been trying to get my head around for about six months. Namely: Why would the Democratic Party nominate an admittedly bright, attractive man for president who is almost completely devoid of actual qualifications for the job?

 

Let me take you back to the Brady Bunch episode where Greg is a budding musician looking to score a record deal that will lead to fame and fortune. Through happenstance he catches the eye of a slick Hollywood type - all the way down to the blue sunglasses - who promises to make all his dreams come true. Greg, with stars in his eyes and believing he's "all that," goes down to their studio and cuts a demo tape. While waiting for the recording to be ready for playback, we cut to the producer's office where Greg's told he'll be a star and is shown kind of a sequined matador outfit that will help create the image of "Johnny Bravo," his new stage name. Greg's not sure what to say at first, but he agrees because he so wants to be famous.

 

When the producer's assistant arrives with the demo tape, Greg's decided to go along with the chirade because it will still allow him to realize his musical dreams, albeit under a pseudonym. Then they play the tape and Greg learns that his singing has been electronically altered to create what his handlers think is the right sound. He asks the producers why they wanted him if they didn't really like his voice and they answer simply, "Because you fit the suit."

 

For the Dems, Barack Obama fits the suit and for a while it looked like that was enough. Problem is, now that he's in an actual fight for the presidency, people are starting to realize that there's not much inside that suit. No business experience, no management experience, no track record of good judgment, just lots of platitudes and the "right" look.

 

Obama still sings a good song and might yet have enough star power to pull this off, but I fear that if that happens America will suddenly wake up to find that an image can't run a country.