Patton: Masks Off, Everyone

Most people feel that the presidential campaign season is far too long. Well, in some ways yes, but in other ways no. Sure, we get tired of the endless television commercials featuring flattering, photo-shopped images of the candidates and ghastly, zombie-like photos of their opponents. Sure we get tired of the self-serving exaggerations, the distortions, and the fabrications.

But, for the presidential candidates, the process is a stress test almost without end which reveals their shortcomings. Most candidates have a congenial public image which they use to mask their personality flaws. Every once in a great while, however, their unflattering traits inadvertently burst for all to see through the politician's defenses. If the presidential contest weren't so long and taxing, the public might never become aware of these unscripted failings

For example, the candidate might not be very bright. Nevertheless, most times these less-than-Einstein-like candidates are coached and rehearsed enough by advisers that they appear informed and capable to the public. But, then, somewhere under duress along the long and winding trail of the presidential campaign, a flub occurs and the candidate says something, well, stupid.

Rick Perry was a front runner in the 2012 Republican presidential contest until during a debate, he announced that he would eliminate three federal agencies. He easily ticked off two of them, but then got stuck trying to remember the third. A long, agonizing silence then ensued at the end of which Perry blurted out an apologetic "Oops."

Perry made a second run for the presidency in 2016. This time, he wore horned-rim glasses in an effort to appear intelligent. Unfortunately for Perry, the initial impression of obtuseness persisted, contributing to his early exit from the contest.

Early on, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker was a leading contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. But then, he apparently suffered a case of "wall envy." Donald Trump had received much acclaim from the GOP base for his proposal to build a wall between the United States and Mexico to prevent illegal aliens from entering our country.

Building (literally) on Trump's idea, Walker suggested that a similar wall be constructed between Canada and the United States. Wait a minute! Screen out our polite, friendly, and peaceful neighbors to the north. Why? That proved to be a real head-scratcher for most people and contributed to the idea that Walker was not up to the intellectual challenge of being our president.

Dr. Ben Carson entered the Republican presidential race with a noteworthy reputation as a neurosurgeon who, among other achievements, had separated conjoined twins. However, when Carson argued the Egyptians had built the pyramids as a place to store grain, folks got the idea that a person like Carson might be gifted in one area, but not so much in another.

Then too, the prolonged and arduous presidential campaign might at length reveal that a candidate is not quite as amiable and good-natured as that person might like us to believe. Doubtless, you have seen many of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders' ads where he is smiling broadly. Ah yes, just another affable grandfather.

But then, in the midst of one debate, Sanders suddenly interrupted Hillary Clinton in mid-sentence, saying abruptly and loudly, "Excuse me, I'm talking." No, he wasn't. Hillary was talking. Bernie wanted to speak at that moment and felt that his opponent should, well, just shut up. Bad grandpa.

At a rally following a Sanders victory, he stepped to the microphone to address the crowd. His wife Jane moved to his side. Bernie stared coldly at her and said curtly into an open microphone, "Don't stand next to me." Jane retreated sheepishly to the rear of the platform. Hmm, grandpa needs a good night's sleep.

Of course, in one particular case, the public needn't wait patiently for the candidate to make a mistake to reveal his or her inner self. Unlike most candidates, Donald Trump is most happy to reveal at great length anything and everything about himself. Now, to be sure, all of his successes are included in his monologue and any failures either are carefully edited out or are not considered shortcomings by him in the first place.

Sigmund Freud observed the behavior of his patients carefully. He once said, "The truth leaks from every pore, and you are going to see it pouring out." So, when you watch and listen to presidential candidates watch for the very occasional glitches, the unintended mistakes. They say a lot about a person.

Of course, Donald Trump is the exception. It's impossible to miss his mistakes, yet, paradoxically, they contribute to his success. Go figure.

Gary Patton is the author of two books, "Selling Mt. Washington," a political satire about New Hampshire politics, and "Outtastatahs: Newcomers' Adventures in New Hampshire, " a humorous account of the struggles of newcomers to this state. Both books are now available in Portsmouth at the River Run Bookstore , Discover Portsmouth, and Tugboat Alley. In Exeter, these books can be obtained at The Water Street Bookstore and the Country Store at RiverWoods. In Hampton, look for them at the Galley Hatch gift shop. In North Hampton, both are available at "The Book Outlet." In Concord, these books can be found at Gibson's Bookstore. They are also available on-line at Amazon.com.