April 14, 2015

Kelley Paul is here to soften Rand Paul for you, and she's got a book of essays about women and the bonds they forge called "True and Constant Friends."

That phrase, "women and the bonds they forge," comes from the New York Times, which has a article about Kelley Paul titled "Kelley Paul Has a Task: To Make Her Husband More Approachable."
“Rand’s personality is kind of ‘Cut to the point,’ ” she said... “I think in some ways people respond better to that, but we’ll see. We’ll see what the country wants.”...

“He’s the last person in the world who would ever be dismissive of someone [e.g., Savannah Guthrie] because they’re a woman. I mean the last person,” Mrs. Paul went on, pointing out that his partner in his ophthalmology practice in Kentucky was a woman. “Someone could make the argument that perhaps he should be more poised, he needs to be smoother with this. And that’s legitimate,” she added.
5 quick reactions:

1. Is she making him more approachable, or is she trying to make us want to be tough and appreciate the value of a "cut to the point" style? I would prefer the latter!

2. "Cut to the point" is a good metaphor when talking about a surgeon. Isn't it weird that there are two surgeons running for the GOP nomination? Is the surgeon mentality what we want in a President?

3. Did Kelley Paul really write that book? I see it comes out today. The full title is "True and Constant Friends: Love and Inspiration from Our Grandmothers, Mothers, and Friends." I can't bring myself to add that to my Kindle. From the description at that Amazon link: "Kelley explores the universal themes of hardship, determination, commitment, family, independence, optimism, friendship and love — and illuminates the power of the female bond that enriches all our lives." That exploration of everything takes up all of 144 pages, including the photography, which seems to be of gentle, happy women in sunlight and earthtones:



4. In the NYT's expression "women and the bonds they forge," I detect a deliberate insinuation that the traditional, relationship-oriented female life is, metaphorically, slavery. The oldest meaning of "bond" is "Anything with which one's body or limbs are bound in restraint of personal liberty; a shackle, chain, fetter, manacle," and the word "forge" calls attention to the fabrication of iron devices.

5. The campaign's second video, which features Kelley, really is excellent, but in saying that I'm aware that my standards for video are quite different from the way I think about books. With video, I'm more likely to observe from a distance as if I were someone else watching this and being affected (even though I personally resist the sentimentality and cheeseball expressiveness):

33 comments:

Brando said...

When you're explaining, you're losing. But featuring his wife more could help him do better with women if she comes across well (i.e., not as Teresa Heinz).

As we're probably going to have 20 or so primary debates, why not shake up the format for one of them and let all their spouses (or if they're unmarried, their closest male or female friend) take the podium for them so we can see them make the best case for their candidate? Break up the monotony a bit.

Anonymous said...

Needs more kittens.

MayBee said...

All I can say is she is really pretty, Ted Cruz's wife is really pretty, and Marco Rubio's wife is really pretty.

But we will not be told to swoon about these wives like we were Michelle Obama.

Anonymous said...

good video.

At this point, I think all of the GOP would make a better POTUS than the one we have.

The video reminds me of a good joke that I have to share. I have very few good jokes

What is the Difference between a Surgeon and God?

God doesn't think he's a Surgeon.

campy said...

"Did Kelley Paul really write that book?"

As much as Obama and Hillary! wrote theirs, I imagine.

Tank said...

2. "Cut to the point" is a good metaphor when talking about a surgeon. Isn't it weird that there are two surgeons running for the GOP nomination? Is the surgeon mentality what we want in a President?

Yes. Put aside the emotionality, look at the facts, work toward solutions.

I actually was able to watch that to the end. Usually, with these video things, I throw up (mentally) after about ten seconds. Not having actually seen them, I do prefer Mrs. Paul's vagina to the Vagina from Hell.

Anonymous said...

If you're reading a book by a member of the Paul family and the passage about the forging of bonds isn't part of an anti-Fed rant, you're ahead of the game.

dreams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
wildswan said...

This video helps move Rand Paul away from opposition I had about him due what I know about his father who is a racist. And that is good for him.

It would be great to have a President who didn't hate this country - I thought the same about Rubio's start. Even Hilary doesn't hate America the way Obama does. But the trouble is she has so much baggage she'd need a second plane to fly it or else the rest of us would have to get off. So it's impossible to know what will motivate her at any moment on any issue.

Ever since Benghazi, we have known what she will do if there is a 3AM call about Americans in trouble - nothing.

MadisonMan said...

Agreed -- good video.

It's about time we had a President with a son. Not since GHWB.

rhhardin said...

Kelley explores the universal themes of hardship, determination, commitment, family, independence, optimism, friendship and love — and illuminates the power of the female bond that enriches all our lives.

That's the DVD I don't buy.

SomeoneHasToSayIt said...

Paul Zrimsek said...
If you're reading a book by a member of the Paul family and the passage about the forging of bonds isn't part of an anti-Fed rant, you're ahead of the game.


You say that as if the Fed doesn't deserve our constant derision.

It does.

chickelit said...

MayBee said...

All I can say is she is really pretty, Ted Cruz's wife is really pretty, and Marco Rubio's wife is really pretty.

Disgruntled feminists will soon note that all three personify "Of Human Blondage" and attack accordingly.

Fritz said...

2. "Cut to the point" is a good metaphor when talking about a surgeon. Isn't it weird that there are two surgeons running for the GOP nomination? Is the surgeon mentality what we want in a President?

Because lawyers have such a good track record?

chickelit said...

Isn't it weird that there are two surgeons running for the GOP nomination? Is the surgeon mentality what we want in a President?

3. Did Kelley Paul really write that book?

_________________

Odd, the authorship question is the same point you raised about the other surgeon: Did Ben Carson write that speech?

I think it's clear from the other day that the real problem you have with Rand Paul and with Ben Carson is not being raised. So raise it.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

From a couple of questions the eye doctor went from performing free eye surgeries in Guatemala to needing to be "soften" at Guatepeor

David said...

A beautiful mature woman who loves and admires her man.

Seems subversive to me.

Birches said...

Ever since Benghazi, we have known what she will do if there is a 3AM call about Americans in trouble - nothing.

Yeah, I used to tell myself that Hillary! would have been a much better President than Obama and so I wouldn't really mind if she ran in 2016. Between her and the Republican choice, it would be a vast improvement. That was Before Benghazi. Now I wonder if Martin O'Malley can pull out the nomination....

Big Mike said...

If we picked our presidents based on their wives George H. W. Bush would have had a second term.

rhhardin said...

"An early interest in aerobatics made nobody want to fly with him."

Sebastian said...

If all campaigns must now pander to the female LIV, this ad at least slightly lowers the usual puke factor.

Cut-to-the point would work better if all his points were good.

traditionalguy said...

She does help the cold, rational teacher of the media Paul seem to be a more real and interesting man. And she is a Presbyterian Deacon. What a deal.

Anonymous said...

Before I can consider Rand Paul for President, I need to hear from Mick.

Is he eligible? Is he a traitor? A usurper?

William said...

I watched the video. It was heavy on the sentimentality, but the sentiments seemed honest and genuinely felt. He seems like a good man across a number of dimensions.......A weary surgeon in scrubs restoring vision to impoverished children. This has the same effect on women as a slutty nurse in a push up bra has on men. I think you can definitely sell him to women.......Assad was also an eye surgeon with an attractive wife. Eye surgeons are not necessarily philosopher kings.

Scott M said...

She never starred in a Dingy Fingnus music video like Scott Brown's wife did, so she's certainly lacking there.

Alex said...

I want to see a 3-some of GOP wives. Any combo will do.

This is Laslo.

Michael K said...

"Is the surgeon mentality what we want in a President?"

Drill Sgt, that surgeon joke is really old.

What do surgeons bring to the table ? Sorry about the pun. Surgery is applied engineering.

Lawyers have an entirely different approach to life. Two of my kids are lawyers. Sadly, none are engineers or doctors.

Solving problems is what surgeons do. We make decisions on limited information.

Lawyers, like most politicians, are members of a club that has meetings that never end. You can always appeal and bring the whole thing up again.

A better surgeon joke, Sgt.

Three doctors are duck hunting. A surgeon, an internist and a pathologist. They decide that they will take turns shooting so they don't all shoot at the same duck.

The internist goes first. A duck comes over. The internist says. "Is that a duck ? Are you sure that's a duck ?" By the time he decides, the duck is gone.

The surgeon is next. A duck comes over.
BLAM ! BLAM !

The surgeon turns to the pathologist and says, "Make sure that's a duck."

Chef Mojo said...

Here, Althouse. Stare at this cigar for awhile, and get back to us. ;-)

traditionalguy said...

Surgeons are famous for lacking empathy. They can learn to say nice words, but if they have a natural empathy in their hearts they cannot be a success at surgery. Surgeons must coldly cut people up while saying," ..this won't hurt."

Anonymous said...

Michael K

Of course you know I heard the joke from a nurse :)

I don't tell lawyer jokes. my wife is not amused....

dreams said...
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Big Mike said...

In the NYT's expression "women and the bonds they forge," I detect a deliberate insinuation that the traditional, relationship-oriented female life is, metaphorically, slavery.

You detect a deliberate insinuation; I'd hate to tell you what my nose detects, ma'am.

Anonymous said...

I'm struck by the extent to which the methods used to manipulate women for political purposes resemble the methods used to manipulate women for any other purpose. Wish it was more like that with us-- we'd get a lot more campaign ads with Kate Upton in them.