Re: The clown who would be king, By Beata Balogová, Volume 12, Number 21, May 29 - June 04, 2006
I think you left out a couple of things about what makes Slota appealing. Firstly, he's got that "man of success" air about him that Slovak voters like. Secondly, he says what he really thinks, which, for many people, is a welcome contrast to the slick weasels of the current elite. A bunch of metrosexuals in Joj and TSS badmouthing him isn't going to do his "simple man" image any harm.
More important is why the responsible parties can't produce characters like him. People say Dzurinda used to have a common touch but lost it. Certainly, when I see him on TV, using those age-old stalling techniques that his advisers have taught him, it's quite depressing.
Of course, ministers have to be responsible, and clowning around could be damaging. The interior minister, for example, makes important judgments and must protect secrets. But being a mayor is easy: you just have to spend money.
Some people vote for politicians they find entertaining. I knew someone who voted for Mečiar in 1998, saying "it'll be so funny".
Being a good clown is the hardest job in the circus.
Roger,
Žilina
