Looking forward to Hypocrisy '08

So why does Kerry want to be president?

The reason is almost tautological: John Kerry wants to be president because he is John Kerry, and John Kerry is supposed to be president. Hence his campaign's flummoxed and tone-deaf response to the swift boat vets. Ban the books, sue the stations, retreat, attack. Underneath it all you can sense the confusion. How dare they attack Kerry? He's supposed to be president. It's almost treason in advance.

It's not enough to believe you should be president. Clueless mortals need some hints. Is he motivated by a broad ideological agenda? There's no Kerry Doctrine, no Kerry Approach, no Tony-Blair-style "third way" gambit. There's just Lurch, lurching.

James Lileks - August 26, 2004

Yes, absolutely (I would like to be eligible to run for president). Why not? With my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top.

Arnold Schwarzenegger - October, 2004

Anyone think Lileks will have any doubts about Schwarzenegger's motivations for the Oval Office if he becomes the candidate in '08?