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EVITA / BARACK REDUX

(Of course, doing this is an admission that I failed in the premise of my previous posting. A reader whose opinion I respect was confused by the similes I cited. That is an indication that, perhaps, others also were left at sea. Consequently, here is an explanation of the comparisons I made between Eva Perón’s social and political trajectory and that of Barack Obama’s. BTW: The same reader corrected my spelling of “Barack”)

I noticed that, invariably, in every discussion of Barack's well anticipated and hyped overseas tour, the commentators, quite forbiddingly, would point out that Obama could trip up in some way. It seemed as though, in ominous tone, they were almost presaging an infinite variety of faux pas.

This reminded me of the wildly popular Eva Perón, who also under the glare of the public eye was planning a European tour that her supporters hoped would be a great success--but who were warily conscious of fatal missteps (caution which proved to be well taken).

Eva Perón was attempting to reach an unprecedented goal. She came from the lowest rung of society; had to claw and sleep her way into show business; met and married the most powerful man in Argentina; and, in a super-macho society, wanted to become the first woman vice president--alongside her husband, to boot! She had all the adoring crowds, and constantly cautioned them that, although they were in her corner, there were sinister opposing forces against her. She reiterated that, should she not reach the mountaintop, they should not feel sorry nor weep for her.

Although the details of Barack's climb could be considered nobler and more socially acceptable, it was just as steep as Evita's. Even with all his popularity, his character and personality continually suggest that, should he fail to reach the mountaintop, it was still a worthy goal and, in no way, would he be in need of consolation.