The Democratic primary has proven to be an interesting study in what constitutes effective political speech, and yesterday Hillary Clinton gave us another fine example. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, she announced that “we need to get on the track in America,” and “if you want to go forward, you put it in D. If you want to go backward, you put it in R” (Indy driver Sarah Fisher reminder her open-wheel cars don’t go in R), and though I haven’t found it quoted online, she said something to the effect of “We have to get America closer to the finish line.” During her victory speech, she continued the metaphor, announcing that it’s “full speed ahead to the White House.”

If you lived in Indiana – and certainly Indianapolis – wouldn’t that strike you as the worst kind of condescension, as if you couldn’t get her deeply complex message if she didn’t put it in terms of car racing? It reminds me of Bush’s references to jazz funerals and second lines in his speech in Jackson Square after Katrina, or anyone who talks to us and compares things to gumbo.

Obviously though, 52 percent of Indiana Democrats weren’t put off by that, which raises the question of what political speech is actually worth, and if the answer is “Not much,” then what grounds are we actually electing people on?