Richard Pennycuick wrote: >... Our last prime minister, Paul Keating, was well-known for his >passions for Mahler and French antique clocks. These were almost always >reported as examples of eccentricity, elitism, insert-derogatory-word-here. >However, the politician who likes it to be known that he/she enjoys the >same pursuits as The Common Man/Woman will be suspected of attempted >self-promotion. Alas, it may be ever thus. The trick is to let the wife manifest interest in the fine arts, a la Jaqueline Kennedy. I believe that the only president in my lifetime to appreciate classical music was Truman and he didn't flaunt it. I suppose the rules may change when we have a woman president! Walter Meyer