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September 20, 2006
Like a Stump on a Log - Bob Corker needs to step up the smiles
Despite any fanlike emotions that spring forth as one traverses the 21st Century Waterfront in downtown Chattanooga, Bob Corker is not a celebrity. His talents lie in more practical realms: business decisions, budget oversight, caring for his family. This down-to-earth approach can be attractive to the thinking person who cares little for hype or show, but an election for an open Senate seat may require turning up the panache just a tad.
The former mayor paid a visit to the same downtown firm that hosted his Democratic rival, U.S. Representative Harold Ford, Jr., a few weeks earlier. The company laudably endeavors to keep its employees informed about the candidates for major office in election years (no word on when they’re bringing in Ed Choate, Bo Heyward or Chris Lugo, however). Unlike the previous event, the press got tipped off that Corker was coming by, so the atmosphere struggled from the very start. It was just after the impromptu media event that I was invited to meet the candidate. It wasn’t clear if the cameras (which, as the next morning’s local newscasts confirmed, were still rolling) increased the tension, but as the candidate somewhat awkwardly extended his hand for the third time during our halting conversation, it dawned on me that this event would contrast with the former.
Corker’s reception inside the workplace was different than Ford’s, even down to which types of employees showed up. Where Ford drew the service workers and mid-level analysts, Bob Corker’s crowd was visibly peppered with VPs and corporate lobbyists (sorry, make that Government Relations personnel)—and visibly smaller. There was the lone passionate inquirer who posed a pointed question or two regarding what a Senator Corker would do about the situation in Iraq, but the positive enthusiasm witnessed during Ford’s visit just didn’t manifest itself for Corker. One service representative, when asked earlier in the day if she would attend, said only “I’ve seen enough of Bob Corker on TV.” (I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the media barrage has only barely begun.)
Perhaps the low turnout can be attributed to familiarity. We Chattanoogans know who Bob Corker is, and plan to vote for him, so only the political junkies would make a point of going to see him; whereas Ford is an unknown from way out in Memphis, and drew curiosity from even the ideologically opposed. In addition, the plague known as apathy tore through the potential ranks of onlookers on both occasions (and may explain just why we won’t be seeing Choate, Heyward or Lugo). Still, Corker worked the lunch room with no less determination than his rival, and demonstrated the unassuming doggedness for which he’s come to be known. An interesting note: his able wingman, political director Todd Womack, likely has a sunny future in this business (should he choose it), for his gregarious smile easily outshone that of his boss.
Watching the two candidates interact with roughly the same people provided insights not only into the campaigns and the election, but into the voters’ minds as well. What do we look for? Do we value relative advantages in sex appeal over those in business/executive experience? Unfortunate as it may be, the situation “on the ground,” as they say, involves the superficial to a great extent. In the marketplace of the arguably fickle electorate, this race, like so many others, does not come down to whom would be the better United States Senator. It instead will be decided based upon which candidate reaches out with the most personal appeal. To date, Harold Ford, Jr. appears to be way ahead in that regard.
Pulsations | By joe lance | 07:23 AM