In May, I went to see Mr. Moore give a talk to graduating seniors at a liberal-arts college outside New York City, and it was easy to see why the kids went nuts. Mr. Moore recalled the left as I remembered it in the “you-can-change-the-world” 1960s–funny, confident, passionate, idealistic, full of possibility. As you might expect, he poked fun at conservatives, but also at liberals, those long-suffering targets of political satirists. “You must have a conservative in your family–an uncle or someone,” he said confidingly. “That person never loses his car keys. He has every key marked: this SUV, that SUV. Our side goes”–he shifts to a timid, whiny voice–” ‘Do you know where my car keys are? . . . Where do you want to go to dinner?’ ‘Gee, I don’t know. Where do you want to go to dinner?’ Right-wingers go”-he slams the podium and shouts–” Get in the car! We’re going to Sizzler!’ ”
Mr. Moore was humble. He giggled disarmingly at his own jokes. He blushed and looked at his feet during the standing ovation. He told how he was so inexperienced when he made his first movie that, during an interview, Jesse Jackson had to show him how to use his sound equipment. He was also full of concern for the little guy. “Maybe I was raised the wrong way, but my parents taught me we’ll be judged by how we treat the least among us.” He promised truth in a world of corruption and lies. “When I got out of my seat, and they all rose in standing ovation [at the Oscars], I could just stand there and soak up all the love, blow them a kiss, and get the hell out of here. But there’s a little voice, ‘You have work to do.’ ” He was upbeat and inspirational. “Americans are far more progressive than you think. . . . Change this world. Make the playing fields level for everyone. One person can make a difference!”
It was a great act–the operative word here being act. It’s best to think of Mr. Moore as always a performer, one who is not only the star of his own show but also its subject matter. And therefore any attempt to understand Mr. Moore or his intense appeal to an alienated left has to begin with the man himself.
Perch those reading glasses on the end of your nose and settle in for a good read in the Opinion Journal – - this article is rather long, but worth the time spent to give it a look-see.
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