Check out the VFW VA WebCOM Network for a quasi-"debate," or at least the closest thing we're ever going to get to a televised debate, between the three candidates for Governor of Virginia - Tim Kaine (D), Russ Potts (I), and Jerry Kilgore (R). It's very revealing, although probably not in the way the candidates intended.By the way, Waldo Jaquith has a great critique of the "debate" videos, so I won't elaborate much further. However, you've just GOT to read what Waldo had to say about Jerry Kilgore, because a) Waldo's a great writer, the best word-for-word in the Virginia blogosphere if you ask me; and b) this is classic Waldo at his hilarious, cuttingly dead-on best!
Kilgore. That?s a bad scene. To be frank, his video just creeps me out. His opening statement is filmed at a 20? angle, though he?s damned near sitting up straight. Maybe he always sits at a strong angle? I don?t know, but it?s making me dizzy.Listening to him, I had to laugh at the memory of Gordon Morse writing in the Washington Post that Kilgore is basically ?a Tennessee version of Mr. Rogers.? He maintains a calm, even, soothing tone throughout his comments, but it?s the calm tone that is adopted by actors attempting to portray a barely-restrained psychopath, not one that is found in reality. I get a strong sense that he?s playing the role of Jerry Kilgore the Candidate ? I can?t believe that he actually talks like this.
More than anything else, though, Kilgore makes me uncomfortable in this video. He?s the Tarzan of the race, swinging wildly from memorized line to memorized line. Sometimes they?re sequential, but sometimes they?re completely incongruous. At other times, he can?t think of something to say, and so, in mid-sentence, he pauses, smiles, and shakes his head gently. On a few occasions, he makes the sort of little blunder that we all make while speaking, but while I witness him awkwardly picking his way through the minefield of the English language, I cringe at the familiar experience. I can just see the wheels turning, the slow realization of ?oh, shit, did I really just say that?? as he witnesses what?s coming out of his mouth. Helping nothing, I?m stultifyingly empathetic, particularly with others? discomfort ? Woody Allen movies are out of the question, and when the local news stations screw up, I just turn off the TV. It?s too painful. I never did have to stop watching Kilgore?s clips, but I cringed a few times.
Painful is right -- it hurts to laugh that much!! And what's so funny about this is that Waldo's exactly right. Here's a question, maybe you can help me answer it after you watch the videos: is Kilgore from Earth, or was he born on Planet Zorcon or something? Seriously, I dare you to watch this video and still argue that Jerry Kilgore is 100%, authentic Homo sapiens...yikes!
I do not hear Mr. Kaine talking about this issue and what he will do about it when he becomes governor.
It's also funny that this guy has been working with Hillary lately. They're best pals.