PRIMARY COLORS AND THE PRESIDENT

Victor Bloom MD

In a New York Times analysis of the yet to be shown movie about the 1992 campaign of a Clinton-like figure, Stanton, played by Travolta, the following conclusions were painfully recognized by the key players. The Hillary personna is performed by Emma Thompson. Libby, played by Kathy Bates, was a longtime aid and now close associate, whose job was to find flaws in the president's detractors. Finally, she realizes she is in a world of political corruption and ruthlessness. And she realizes that although she loves, she is not loved in return.

"A film that began as a closely detailed comedy of

manners, has shifted to a kind of ensemble buddy picture that Mr.

Nichols describes as "Seinfeld on the road," and it has turned truly tragic --

far more Vince Foster than Gennifer Flowers.

"Libby cannot make sense of

life after her final confrontation with the Stantons, her friends since

they and the world were young, in the kitchen of the Governor's mansion.

"There was a moment in that kitchen scene where she looks at John and

his face changes and she says, 'We can't do this because it's not who

we are,' " said Ms. Bates, whose performance as Libby is already being

written about as the emotional anchor of the film.

"And he says, 'Well,

we've all got to grow up and move on.' It's that moment between two

lovers, when they say, I'm sorry, I can't go the same way you're going."

"Moments later, in the quiet of her pickup truck, Libby points to a pale

moon in the night sky and shares with Henry the darkest private fear of

any loyal political aide in symbiosis with a candidate who is, by

nature, flawed. "Beautiful, huh?" Libby says, "but Henry, it's only

reflected light. It needs the sun. And the Stantons are my sun. I lived

my life drawing light and warmth from them. . . . And they don't need

. . . me at all."

In the end, it is the movie's depiction of these

realities of political life, of the drives that motivate politicians, of

the hold they have on those in their orbit, and of the compromises they

make with themselves and force on all those who would support them, that

may feel the most moving -- and authentic -- to anyone who has ever been

around a campaign. Reflecting on Libby's epiphany and the Stantons'

response to it, Mr. Nichols said: "What Libby says is unarguably, deeply

true, and their answer is truer: 'That's what happened; we didn't know

how the world worked; now we know.' And Emma says it with infinite

sadness. And so do we all.%"

What is described is a loss of innocence. Yes, this happens in adulthood too. We think we know ourselves and the world, and what goes on, and then we find we have been babes in the wood. We cluck about awful things happening, and often the answer is--- that is the way things are, so what else is new? Each time the wild, irresponsible and primitive parts of a person overcomes the realistic judgment of a stable mind and the conscience of a moral character, we shudder about humankind's potential for evil.

More and more we learn about the downside of power, and see that it is correct that absolute power corrupts absolutely. It happened to many presidents and kings, dukes and barons, it happens to the dons of organized crime. It happens to prison guards and police on the beat. In their small sphere of influence, they either possess or desire more power. It seems only a few precious individuals maintain their integrity and responsibility in high public office.

The trouble is, the people know this and either can or will do nothing about it. A friend of mine says Starr should stop the harrassment of the president, and let him get on with his work. If he is guilty, vote him out, if he is not, vote accordingly. So far the polls favor the president, and it seems the book and the film "Primary Colors" is on track that growing up means accepting corruption and injustice as a given.

Apparently we want our commander-in-chief to be tough and unscrupulous, because in this world of national aggrandizement and competition, of 'brinksmanship', of 'realpolitik', we need a president who is every bit as tough and ruthless as our potential enemy. The Mafia neighborhoods are the most clean and the most safe. We who are civilized and domesticated need wild and powerful leaders to feel safe.

And so it is said that we get the government we deserve.

Dr. Bloom is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Wayne State University's School of Medicine and Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a member of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis. He welcomes comments at his e-mail address: hyperlink. URL victorbloom.com