Beer in Politics

For centuries beer has been known as the drink of the common man. From workers laboring the soil of ancient Egypt to the workers of the modern age, beer has been the preferred alcoholic beverage of the working class. And though the appeal of beer to many blue-collar Americans may be lost on those who can’t appreciate the taste of a cold-one after a hard day at the grindstone, it certainly isn’t lost on our politicians who use it in an attempt to bridge the gap between themselves and the common man and woman they require to win elections.

During the 2004 presidential election George Bush beat John Kerry in a critical poll that asked Americans, “Who would you most like to have a beer with?” 57% of undecided voters polled said they would rather toss one back with George Bush than with John Kerry. Bush went on to win other “likability” polls, and eventually the election. American voters have been chastised for our beer politics ever since.

Columnist Anna Quindlen published a 2007 article in Newsweek entitled “The Brand New and Same Old,” where she drones on about what a wonderful opportunity we have to “help make history” and elect the first woman president. Coming from a known feminist, this is hardly suprising or even noteworthy. What is noteworthy is Quindlen’s complete lack of respect for the working class voter:

Recent elections suggest that Americans are often interested in something quite different in a candidate than they ultimately require in a president. That’s how the country wound up with a commander in chief chosen because he was the kind of guy people wanted to have a beer with, a Dude Prez who finds it appropriate to give the female German chancellor a surprise shoulder massage in the middle of a world summit.
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Voters may have a hard time imagining bellying up to the bar with Senator Clinton. Her human traits are too seldom on display…. But perhaps this time around, no matter who runs and who wins, Americans will figure out that they are electing a president, not a drinking buddy.

Enter Barack Obama and—yes Anna—Hillary Clinton. In the tight presidential race that promises to come down to the wire, both candidates have turned to the power of the Golden Nectar in an attempt to connect with the common American voter.

 While campaigning in the battleground state of Pennsylvania last month, Barack Obama made it a point to talk football and have a cold-one with steel-workers and other patrons of a Johnstown bowling alley. The Politico reports:

“You know I got a beer down there,” Obama said to a male patron. “What do they call it? A Yuengling?”
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“Yuengling,” the man confirmed. “Like you didn’t know.”
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“Trying a Pennsylvania beer, that’s what I’m talking about,” said Obama, his sleeves rolled up, smiling. “Is it expensive, though? … Wanna make sure it’s not some designer beer or something.”

Clinton, refusing to be outdone, had beer, whiskey and pizza at an Indiana lounge over the weekend. The party started with a cold beer as Clinton initially refused a shot of some hard stuff. But the New York Senator quickly gave way to peer pressure and turned bright-eyed upon the mention of Crown Royal.

Clinton stood by the bar and took a shot of Crown Royal whiskey. She took one sip of the shot, then another small sip, then a few seconds later threw her head back and finished off the whole thing.
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Clinton later sat down at a table and enjoyed some pizza and beer, and called over Mayor Tom McDermott of Hammond, Ind., to come join the table.
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A fellow diner made a toast in Clinton’s honor and she raised her beer glass and touched the glasses of people sitting at her table. Clinton was looking for a staffer and her seat partner said, “Maybe he’s up at the bar.”

The real irony in all of that just last January Hillary Clinton was complaining about voter interest in “likability” and beer-drinking when discussing the common-man popularity of Barack Obama:

“I think it’s good to have a likeable president. But if I remember right, many people said they wanted to have a beer with George W. Bush. Maybe they should’ve left it at that – have a beer, don’t vote him in as our president.”

Oops…

Republican presidential candidate John McCain hasn’t been spotted downing any brews lately. Then again, he doesn’t have to. His wife is heir to Hensley & Co.—one of the largest beer distributers in the country, and the exclusive wholesaler for Anheuser-Busch.

Beer isn’t going anywhere in the eyes of the working class. And as long as we have a place in American politics, our drink of choice will be used to make a connection with those who need our support. Anna Quindlen would do well to learn that. Hillary Clinton has. 

Cheers.