Is there anything more vapid than a politician trying to sound profound?

I ask because I recently read Beto O'Rourke's blog. For future readers who might stumble across this blog, Beto was a Texas congressman who lost a Senate election in 2018 but, because he jumped around a lot and had an overbite that's nearly as bad as Bobby Kennedy's, people started to take him seriously as a 2020 presidential contender. They even pointed out that Abraham Lincoln was elected to the presidency after losing a major election. Actually, you could say the exact same thing about Richard Nixon but they won't.

Anyway, Beto's unemployed now so he's been traveling across the country and blogging about it. It's hilarious to read because it's obvious that Beto is trying really, really hard to come across like some sort of modern day beat philosopher, traveling the backroads of America and talkin' to the common folk. Amazingly, everyone that he meets seems to 1) really love Beto and 2) really hope that a candidate like Beto runs for President in 2020. It's amazing how that's working out.

For instance, here's what happens when Beto stops off at the Goodwill:
We talked about bringing the country together. Talked about national service, more young people finding purpose and common cause with their fellow Americans helping to rebuild the country — serving in whatever capacity helps to make this country stronger — infrastructure and public works, blazing and keeping trails into the wild, serving veterans and supporting teachers in the classroom. Being together, working together, for this country.

A young woman asked, how do I make a difference in any of this? I said run for office. Hold town hall meetings. Bring people together, over coffee, over beer, ask your elected reps to show up and be part of the conversation. If they don’t, organize to get their attention. But whatever we do, let’s do it together. Listen to each other, be respectful, decent, kind. Invite those who don’t agree with you and try to see it their way for a minute. Make this democracy work by being as engaged as you possibly can. Otherwise we’ll lose it.

And here's what happens when Beto finds out about a nearby lake:
Drove out to the lake the waitress had told me about. Had it all to myself and some ducks. Found some crab claws. Maybe left by a bird. Walked out on a pier. Looked out, took some pictures. Leaned over, scooped up water and washed my face. Picked up beer cans that someone had left and were blown into the bushes. Later learned that it’s called Ute Lake. Formed by damming the Canadian River.

Here's Beto dealing with ennui:
Have been stuck lately. In and out of a funk. My last day of work was January 2nd. It’s been more than twenty years since I was last not working. Maybe if I get moving, on the road, meet people, learn about what’s going on where they live, have some adventure, go where I don’t know and I’m not known, it’ll clear my head, reset, I’ll think new thoughts, break out of the loops I’ve been stuck in.

Seriously, I haven't read anything this overwrought since the last time I took a creative writing class. What's unfortunate is that people are going to fall for this act. Beto O'Rourke is a child of wealth, the son of a judge and the son-in-law of a billionaire. He first entered politics because his father-in-law needed someone on the El Paso city council who would support his company's efforts to gentrify Hispanic neighborhoods. Regardless of your politics, Beto is an empty suit. But, because we live in a world where image is everything, there's a good chance that Beto might be our next President.

Of course, if that means he has to give up his blog, it might be worth the trouble.

(For those curious, here's a link to Beto's latest adventure)