COLUMNS

In Search of Character… and Characters

  • Capital Connections ®
  • |
  • October 20, 1999

by Karen Feld

“Character” is not a word that is often discussed in Washington but pediatrician and Harvard Medical School professor, Dr. Eli Newberger, author of “The Men They Will Become,” was in town to talk about the nature and nurture of male character the other day. He knows a lot about the subject, which he believes is a lifelong process….Washington is still learning.

Many athletes run for political office, but perhaps surprisingly, Dr. Newberger believes that “sports doesn’t always build character; and in fact, it can degrade character.” The author says, “The problem with sports has much to do with competitive pressures.” He also says that “athletes are in effect unelected leaders.”

Another wise observation on alleged news reports of political candidates’ sometimes youthful indiscretions: “The media has descended to a kind of entertainment standard. Everybody is trying to tell a story of a good guy versus a bad guy. Human behavior is more complicated and life is more ambiguous,” says Dr. Newberger. “We’ve got to cut everybody some slack and not pretend that perfection is the standard.” That’s one note from this author, who by the way plays a mean jazz tuba.

And not far from the subject of “character,” writer Calvin Trillin and playwright Edward Albee, in Washington to read at a benefit for the prestigious writers organization, PEN/Faulkner, declined an invitation to meet Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Why decline the honor? The invitation strongly suggested that they not veer into confrontational subjects with Justice Thomas. An eclectic group of a dozen other fiction writers — among them, Judy Blume and Herbert Gold — seized the opportunity, and displayed their finest behavior.

Actor Kevin Spacey, who has been lighting up stage and screen with “The Iceman Cometh” and “American Beauty,” enjoyed his real life role as a guest of President Clinton on Air Force One. He accomplished his chief mission on the flight: to call his mom from the plane.

But for some other entertainers, tagging along on the presidential plane isn’t enough. They may be willing recruits for elective office….and this election cycle the Republican party is welcoming high profile celebrity candidates with open arms. Among possible and speculated recruits: Arnold Schwarzenegger for California governor; international surfing champion Fred Hemmings for Hawaii congressional candidate; pro-wrestler Bob Backlund for Congress in Connecticut; actor Noble Willingham, better known as bar owner C.D. Parker on “Walker, Texas Ranger,” for Congress from Texas; and California congressional-maybes, former Playboy Playmate Patti McClain and former Doobie Brothers guitarist, Grammy winner and composer of the “Beverly Hills 90210” theme song, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. Non-traditional candidates are longshots….but we can’t forget Sonny Bono and Jesse “The Body/The Mind” Ventura.

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