In fact, the people most likely to be turned off by Hillary’s phoniness are the very people who traditionally value coolness over substance. (That’s right, liberals!) I’ve been arguing for a while now that if Hillary loses, it won’t be because of a “sliver bullet” scandal, but instead, because she becomes a joke. She was already in serious danger of becoming a caricature. What are the odds SNL hits this accent thing?
The revolt against the phoniness of American life goes back to at least the 60s, which is why it’s odd that Hillary Clinton is so transparently engaging in “show business.” But for Generation X, in particular, the ethos of authenticity practically defines our generation. It’s why Kurt Cobain in a cardigan was cooler than KISS in makeup. It’s why single camera sitcoms with laugh tracks (once wildly popular) now feel so damned cringeworthy. It’s even why John McCain, with all his flaws, seemed much cooler than George W. Bush in 2000.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member