As my colleague Barbara Peterson first disclosed, Capt Chesney “Sully” Sullenberger is reporting back for duty tomorrow.
This guy performed a masterful piece of airmanship to bring us one of the few feelgood moments in aviation, the Miracle on the Hudson.
From everything we know about him, he’s an old-time Straight Arrow professional who would normally be immune to the blandishments of politicians.
Unfortunately for him, he can’t escape the fact that he has become every politician’s favorite hero. It was appropriate for him to be honored with a seat at the President’s first State of the Union address to Congress. This kind of attention really became turbo-powered with the arrival of that consummate showman Ronald Reagan who first realized the value of the Reflected Glory Factor. His White House became adept at seeding Reagan’s audiences with people whom the President could mention and point out for their valor.
With his Hollywood skills the Gipper was able to suggest that he belonged in the same universe with them, that it was all part of a glorious American narrative over which he presided, the same one that could make a hero even of Colonel Oliver North, the saintly arms smuggler of his day.
The politicians who will doubtless rush to New York City's LaGuardia Airport to greet Sully tomorrow are also aware of the value of the Reflected Glory Factor. It’s true that the New York City emergency services performed brilliantly on the day of the Miracle, but it was actually the Hudson ferry boat captains, including a quick-witted woman, who were first at the scene. I doubt any of them will be there.
Hey, it’s the election season already. Get over it. Grandstanding must be expected. But I am sure that Sully will be glad if the limelight recedes rapidly and he can just get on with the job in which he excels.
This guy performed a masterful piece of airmanship to bring us one of the few feelgood moments in aviation, the Miracle on the Hudson.
From everything we know about him, he’s an old-time Straight Arrow professional who would normally be immune to the blandishments of politicians.
Unfortunately for him, he can’t escape the fact that he has become every politician’s favorite hero. It was appropriate for him to be honored with a seat at the President’s first State of the Union address to Congress. This kind of attention really became turbo-powered with the arrival of that consummate showman Ronald Reagan who first realized the value of the Reflected Glory Factor. His White House became adept at seeding Reagan’s audiences with people whom the President could mention and point out for their valor.
With his Hollywood skills the Gipper was able to suggest that he belonged in the same universe with them, that it was all part of a glorious American narrative over which he presided, the same one that could make a hero even of Colonel Oliver North, the saintly arms smuggler of his day.
The politicians who will doubtless rush to New York City's LaGuardia Airport to greet Sully tomorrow are also aware of the value of the Reflected Glory Factor. It’s true that the New York City emergency services performed brilliantly on the day of the Miracle, but it was actually the Hudson ferry boat captains, including a quick-witted woman, who were first at the scene. I doubt any of them will be there.
Hey, it’s the election season already. Get over it. Grandstanding must be expected. But I am sure that Sully will be glad if the limelight recedes rapidly and he can just get on with the job in which he excels.
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