BOOK BATTLE
If one bruises easily it may be wise for that person to avoid direct contact with moving objects. Or, your friend who fancies himself or herself to be a paramedic may suggest that you take a few less aspirin than they seem to know you consume each day/
Actually, a few such bruises are not going to harm you a great deal. Some hard-hearted souls out there may openly allude to the fact that they think you are simply clumsy, running into furniture and other such obstacles most people can go around.
I find myself interested in author Bill Clinton's forthcoming book tour as a time of exceptional bruising for himself - which he can take – and now for presidential candidate John Kerry, as well, who has experienced several award winning bruises in the past.
It has come about that we are to think of the month-early publication of Clinton's “My Life” syncs so well with the final weeks of the presidential election.
` Every one agrees, of course, that it is purely a coincidence that bio-tome-tome happened to hit at such a moment so it will sync well with the final weeks of the election.. Bill Clinton's publisher has announced that former pre4sident will be speaking and selling books in the very cities where Kerry might be... well, let's say “brink-ish”. Officially, it is stated the other way around . He has to be selling books as a main occupational interest and concern during those campaign weeks and only secondly commenting on how perfect a friend of his is to be our next president. Publisher Knopf, whom I would imagine keep a pretty stalwart stable of lawyers, seems to think that will keep the twin tour “legal”. Push book sales first and foremost; then mention Kerry. Never the other way around.
What actually may take place in this unusual juxrtiposition? Unless Bill Clinton turns out to be a better book salesperson than he is a Tenor Sax sideman – nothing much, If he had access top more raw material when helping to compile events, incidents and memorable moments and step by mis-step accounts of “My Life” it might hold promise but,thus far, I have seen no lurid previews or sample passages indicating that it is going to better Baedecker even for the most dedicated devotee
Certainly, candidate John Kerry is not depending on this book to win many new followers . At best, it will bring out the steadfast “Clinton Clique”, but it will also arouse the ever-present crowd of “Clinton Crushers” who are just getting over the wild idea that Kerry was considering asking fellow war veteran Republican McCain up from Arizona to take the shot gun seat for a ride through the nation's heartland.
The potential harm which may come to John Kerry has to do with the obvious fact that if Bill Clinton really goes at the selling of books and tries to outdo wife Hillary's sales totals which were impressive stage the main act is Kerry for top slot.
The creepy part of all this voluntary, last-minute “We care about Kerry” has to come from the fact that so many conservative voices have been prominently proclaiming that the Clinton plan has been to do all they can to prevent Hillary Clinton from having to go up against anything other than a Republican four years from now. If there is to be any validity to such an idea, then it may well be that they have just tossed Kerry a lead life jacket.
Gather 'round, ye bookworms! We may have another Best Smeller on our inky stands.
A.L.M. June 14, 2004 [c601ds]
