I find it fascinating that President Bush phoned-in his support for the Pro-Life march yesterday. Is there any other political event where this anachronism remains part of the kabuki dance of presidential politics? Graybeards around here can tell me otherwise, but I think it was either Reagan or Poppa Bush who pioneered this tactic. It communicates support, but not solidarity, sympathy but not zealotry — or at least that’s the intent. And the schedule-conflict-with-break-away-from-pressing-business-for-a-phone-call schtick seemed plausible back then. But, I mean come on. What’s the appeal now? Surely the date for these things is set well-enough in advance that Bush could have been there if he wanted. And why a phoner? Why not a satellite video hook up?

I guess what I find fascinating about it is that we’re witnessing the formation of a tradition before our eyes. It’s not quite as anachronistic as running torches all over the globe to start the Olympics, and it’s less ceremonial in its use of outdated technology. But there are similar dynamics at work.