Posted on 06/10/2007 7:00:01 PM PDT by blam
US in thrall to southern drawl
By Alex Spillius in Washington
Last Updated: 2:21am BST 11/06/2007
To British ears, an American southern accent carries connotations of cowboys and country singers, but in the US it signals something quite different: political success.
Ronald Reagan was not southern but possessed home-baked charm
Four of the last five US presidents have been southerners, and the only exception, Ronald Reagan, possessed the demonstrably southern virtues of straight talking and home-baked charm.
But in the early stages of the competition to succeed George W Bush neither the Republican nor Democrat parties boast a bona fide southerner among their candidates.
However, that is likely to change this week as Fred Thompson, sometime lawyer, lobbyist, star of Law and Order and senator, is expected to announce his bid for the Republican nomination.
Thompson has a lot going for him. Like Reagan, he is an actor. Unlike his rivals he is a reliable social conservative on issues such as abortion, gay marriage and gun control.
But the former senator from Tennessee is also the proud owner of an impressive southern brogue.
"No accent telegraphs more information faster than a southern one," wrote Elizabeth Wilner in The Politco newspaper. "It exudes approachability, an absence of pretence and a penchant for plain talk."
Thompson's mellifluous, authoritative tones are music to the ears of Republicans. "He sounds like a man in command," said Whit Ayres, a Republican psephologist. "He communicates very effectively to ordinary people and has definitely got the potential to win."
Things were all very different in the 1960s when southerners were unelectable, and more uptight, flat-voiced north-easterners and Washingtonians dominated.
The attraction of a southern candidate reflects the growing importance of the region. Its population is expanding thanks partly to migration from the north and mid-west by people in search of warmer weather and less crime.
and friendlier people.
I don’t see a Noo Yawker ever winning national office anytime soon, unless they speak with a combination Illinois/Arkansas accent.
Please!
Bushes are no more southern than hilliary is arkansan or nooyorkese. I believe carpetbagger is the correct term....
ping
I have been meaning to make the point that Rudy’s New York speaking style - just a bit to fast and glib - is a big minus for him in flyover country.
For example, LBJ. Oh, wait...
In other words, whether it IS an absence of pretense and a penchant for plain talk isn't important. We just want to be soothed by comforting sounds.
Fred spent most of his professional life as an inside-the-beltway lobbyist (the used car salesmen of politics), has no demonstrated executive skills, carried out the single most damaging attack on the First Amendment in a generation, has a voting record virtually indistinguishable from that of the detested John McCain, but FRedheads are in love because he has a "southron drawl."
Fred's not perfect, but so far, he seems to be the most Presidential of the schlubs we have running. I know that's not saying much...
Check Rudy's poll numbers, what give him his support are women, moderates, and folks in California and the "urban" states.
Come on over and defend the "laziest man in presidential politics."
....LOL! Is that you, Shrillary? :D
This is just an implicit recognition that the Scotch-Irish represent the apex of American culture, the absolute pinnacle.
Do you expect to call me like a dog?
LOL
You're so funny when you're scared.
Fred ping?
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