Sheehan for Senate? Spare us!

Somebody ought to share the thought with Cindy Sheehan before she gears up for a U.S. Senate race which she not only won’t win but should never bother the voting public with in the first place. Actually, forget limiting the nuisance to the voting public. Even the apathetic masses with the ability to open a newspaper or flip on a television channel must be growing weary of the T-shirt-clad military mom whose initial claim to fame is being ignored by President George W. Bush after setting up shop outside his Texas ranch.

When Sheehan first burst onto the public horizon she represented any parent who had lost a child, any person who ever questioned the war, any one who felt our commander in chief was sidestepping direct accountability for his decision. The attention and supporters swelled, with Sheehan’s divorce records making it on to Web sites and the Vallejo mom nabbing a post-camp out job as a national speaker. With everyone clamoring for a piece of Peace Mom, it was surprising not to see the Lance Armstrong "LiveStrong” bands replaced with "What Would Cindy Do?” bracelets.

The answer to that question, it seems, is that Cindy would head to Venezuela for a love-in with President Hugo Chavez and announce plans to unseat U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Wow. Some people have to start with slot on the neighborhood association and work their way up the political food chain. But not Cindy. Oh, no. Instead, the death of her 24-year-old son and her trek to Texas placed her on the fast track toward Congress. There is a name for such a belief in one’s abilities: It’s called delusions of grandeur.

Maybe Sheehan will someday make a good leader. She definitely hasn’t let her frumpy wardrobe, outdated hair and a voice akin to nails on a chalkboard turn away the legions who think she’s the best thing since, well, ever. Frankly, there are some politicians at every level of government who could probably be replaced without ruining the world and some individuals who could hit the congressional ground running without a lengthy resume of civic duty. One-trick ponies, however, are a hard sell.

Anyone who has ever had to sit through a city council meeting or walk precincts should shudder at the idea Sheehan’s single qualification is the ability to garner public sympathy.

The rest of us should cringe at the idea a person known for a single stance could someday decide a thousand other ways the American way of life is lived. So she can pitch a tent — does that make her able to understand drilling in the Alaskan wilderness? So she can speak lovingly about her dearly departed soldier son — does that mean she should ponder eminent domain or universal health care?

Sheehan has a pop culture place as a grieving mother who did open some eyes to the human tragedy of war. Unfortunately, overstaying her welcome in that niche doesn’t mean it’s time for her to raise up a new flag. Pain might make her presence powerful but it doesn’t necessarily make her a good politician.

Michelle Durand’s column "Off the Beat” runs every Monday and Thursday. She can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.<