Estranged Tales
Source: Real Clear Politics
Author: Jeremy Lott

I suppose there has always been an element of the ridiculous in politics but, lately, more and more cases of lunacy have been popping up. Apparently, somewhere in the great state of Oklahoma, an attorney running for judgeship has been met with a most unlikely opponent: His Daughter.

And while Mr. Lott does a interesting and informative report, 'News' like this, while entertaining, seems to be rather, well, unnecessary. Though this piece has quite broad appeal, after all who doesn't want a laugh, does it deliver any purpose or incite any conversation other than "Hey did you hear...". In some ways it does. Obviously, most readers won't take any interest in McClain county politics, but they may think of the absurdities that happen in our democratic system. Is it likely that John Mantooth and McClain county politics are going to influence the financial crisis or help restore the gulf? No... but it may well make people think about some inherent flaws of our political system that is influence so much by pandering, be it daughters or oil companies.

So should this piece have been written? Yes. Through a whimsical pretense, Mr. Lott is able to expose and argue the absurdity of the role of personal pandering in politics today. He shows the departure of politics from the issues to the candidates, a marked shift that has shaped our current system.