Growing up, my father and his friends had a saying which I took for granted but later realized was local in nature and fairly unique. When they really approved of someone, they would often refer to him as a “full tanker.” When asked, my Dad would explain that the person in question was the sort of fellow who, if he needed to borrow your lawn mower, would not only return it promptly, but clean and with a full tank of gas. I’ve always been fond of the image that concept evokes.
This put me in mind, yet again, of our current crop of presidential candidates. How would you rate John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bob Barr and Ralph Nader on the “Full Tanker” scale?
1. Brings the mower back promptly with the grass clippings cleaned out, the gas tank full and the oil checked and topped off.
2. Brings the mower back shortly after they’ve finished with it, but it’s not cleaned up and could use some gas.
3. You have to chase them down to get your mower back and no maintenance has been done on it.
4. Would never borrow your mower in the first place as they would have no clue how to use one to cut grass.
I will have to give McCain a 1, Obama and Barr a 2, Nader a 3 and Clinton a 4. What say you?