Why is there even a Carol Mostly Clown conundrum?

In her Sunday Chicago Tribune column, Mary Schmich writes about what she calls the Carol Moseley Braun conundrum. "Many people, especially women who once did," she tells us, "would like to like Braun."

Why? Three reasons I know of: She's black, liberal, and a woman.

Carol Mostly Clown's six painful years in the US Senate should have ended her political career. After she was defeated in her reelection attempt, President Clinton gave her a consolation prize--the ambassadorship of New Zealand. That went surprisingly well. But her 2004 run for the presidency excited only dozens. Her Jesse Jackson-anointed status as The African American Candidate for Mayor of Chicago has only served as a revival performance of her chaotic run in Washington. For a brief time she refused to release her federal income tax returns--"because I don't want to."

If Braun was prudent, she wouldn't have entered the race for mayor. As for those who take her even semi-seriously, such as Mary Schmich, they need to take some smart pills.

But Braun is symbol. Of hope for some, of embarrassment for others. But symbols don't repair potholes, they don't plow snow, they don't extinguish fires.

Which is why she won't win.

Related posts:

Carol Mostly Clown won't discuss tax returns, says 'that's all there is to it'
Carol Moseley Braun releases parts of tax returns
Carol Mostly Clown won't release tax returns 'because I don't want to'
Carol Moseley Braun: Not a coalition builder
Sun-Times: Davis to drop out of mayor's race, will support clownish Moseley Braun
No post-racial Chicago for Jesse Jackson
Clownish Carol Moseley Braun wants Sun-Times columnist fired

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