Salesmanship in Love and Politics

It's easily observed that the skills required to run for office don't have much to do with the skills required for the actual job. The hope, invariably vain, is that smarmy politicians will effortlessly transform into thoughtful, wise leaders when the time comes. 

Having recently managed to fumble away the latest in a string of potentially significant others due to my clumsy courting skills, it occurs to me that romance is exactly the same. I'm a vastly better boyfriend than a wooer. In fact, my wooing is woeful.

Really, it's unsurprising that so many people wind up in relationships with skilled suitors who make poor partners, or that electorates so often wind up with politicians who don't know how to govern. But I have a solution. My proposal is that every candidate for office or romance be permitted to appoint a "designated hitter," a glib smoothie who steps in with unsinkable confidence and brio...and steps out of the way once the deal's clinched.

Electorates, like potential girlfriends, always insist they're looking for values and quality. Steak, not sizzle. But, obviously, vast evidence belies that claim. Since the impression-making process is all about salesmanship, why not let sales specialists handle all that?

Update: Hmm...come to think of it, isn't this exactly the route Cheney/Bush took? Dick Cheney may not be your cut of beef, but there's no denying that he's more steak than sizzle! I wonder who Palin will be fronting for in 2012...