“That Face”

“That face, that face, that wonderful face!

It shines, it glows all over the place.

And how I love to watch it change expressions. Each look becomes the pride of my possessions.

I love that face, that face, it just isn't fair. You must forgive the way that I stare, But never will these eyes behold a sight that could replace

That face,That face, That face.”

Donald Trump is about my age, so he should remember the lyrics of Alan Bergman’s “That Face,” sung by Fred Astaire. Of course, he himself is more reminiscent of another Astaire standard—“Funny Face”—but sung on a bad drug trip.

What makes this topical is Trump’s latest misogynist slap in Rolling Stone—this time at rival candidate Carly Fiorina—as “What a face! Can you imagine that face on a president.” I would like to ask The Donald about his mythological references: is he comparing her look to the Medusa—or the Gorgon?

He’s an expert on  female pulchritude though he uses other slang expressions that would make Damon Runyon blush. So enquiring minds want to know.

Of course, The Donald explained that he was really referring to Fiorina’s “persona” or “aura.” If I were advising him, I would have urged throwing in a reference to his favorite Roman philosopher—and emperor—Marcus Aura-relius.

A week or two ago, The Donald was stumped when asked to quote his favorite bible verse. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has now speculated that Trump could not answer because he never reads books—like the Bible—in which he isn’t quoted.

Again, if I were his historical advisor, I would have suggested that he answer about his least favorite bible verse: “Let thee who is without sin cast the first stone.”

A concluding thought about “American exceptionalism” and The Donald. The notion of “American exceptionalism” is very much under attack these days. The left is contemptuous of it, and even the right may be losing faith. But think about this: should not we all be grateful that Trump is not a political demagogue of caliber of Mussolini or Hitler? The U.S. has never produced such a demagogue—not, anyway, with enduring appeal at the national level.

Should not we all be proud about this negative accomplishment of American exceptionalism?