Personality vrs politics

I have been following the battle for London's Mayor between Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson and Brian Paddick with interest over the last few weeks, and as in the race for the White House, this political battle has come down to personalities rather than just plain policy. Red Ken has proved himself to be passionate about his home city, but compared to Boris Johnson, he has lost the popular vote. Johnson, a likable buffoon has been quick in his intelligent insults and retorts to Livingstone's waspishness and this likability has overshadowed any hard work and positive achievements the existing mayor has done. Liberal Brian Paddick has also used his personality and positive first impressions to gain a foot hold in the race, but can many Londoners actually remember much about each candidates manifestos? I very much doubt it

Over in the US ,Hilary Clinton with her emotional outburst about her homeland won the New Hampshire Republican Primary! People ( hummm perhaps women in particular) were won over by her warmth and "sudden" humanity in that brief lapse of agnst .

I guess we will never take out the very real "human factor" out of politics. Journalists and the like that rather pompously say that we should be purely reflecting on the content of an argument rather than the person , sometimes have forgotten that actually liking and respecting the person in power is equally important to us the masses. Gut feelings are an important factor about being human, Sometimes we battle too much against this very real skill. Believing in someone is not just a case of reading a list of their goals?..........

Anyhow, busy day today! I have cleared the front garden of deadwood and weeds, cut back the climbing rose and honeysuckle by the door and painted another ( and the last) radiator in the Church. The affable rat killer called around again to check on the rodent pest levels and he was given half a dozen eggs for being so helpful ( and a cup of tea and a chat) The paperwork arrived from the land agents about my field as well!

with all the proviso's I suggested in include the allotment, fruit trees and animals!!