How to Tell if a Politician Believes Their Own Rhetoric: James Inhofe vs. Billy Long

I was just reading Bob McCarty's excellent blog about Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). Inhofe was recently surprised when some global warming activist followed in the hallway of the Capitol asking him some tough questions. Listen to how Senator Inhofe addresses this guy. He engages, supports his argument, offers evidence, and stands up for his beliefs.



Inhofe proves he has a backbone.

On the other hand, let's flashback to this summer when Congressman Billy Long (R-MO) was met with a camera and voters with questions on Social Security and Long's own political rhetoric--which was fed up with career politicians, fed up with earmarks, and fed up with federal spending. Let's watch the video.



Long doesn't seem so sure about the convictions of his own rhetoric. He runs rather than offers any defense. Inhofe remains a gentleman, and Long looks like a child avoiding simple questions. Let's not forget here, Long was making a public appearance, but Inhofe was simply walking down the hall of the Capitol.

Now who do you think has convictions when it comes to the own political beliefs? Clearly Inhofe, who ends the conversation as a gentleman showing appreciation for a different viewpoint as they both agree this is not personal, but it is politics. Take Billy Long on the other hand. The campaign against long was political--it wasn't personal, although many tried to make it out to be. How did Long respond? Well, he had one of the people asking the question investigated by the FBI.

I really think these two videos show a great dichotomy, and they should be viewed side by side as to what a politician with a backbone and convictions looks like, and what once that doesn't have convictions and a backbone looks like.

If you want to compare more, look at Inhofe's logical sound bites, and then compare them to the gimmick sound bites Long delivers week after week. I am glad we have Inhofe in the Senate. Perhaps Congressman Long could learn a thing or two here.