Root And Holler

It's hard for many of us to decipher the full meaning of written words. Consider, if you will, the number of different inflections and tones that could be taken with that last sentence. Depending on which word you might lean on for emphasis, you might take this as friendly advice or sarcastic intrusion. Either way, my point is clear: until you start sneaking in those always important and necessary emoticons, there is no way to sure what someone means, especially in a world that only has enough time to read one hundred forty characters. I am currently addressing the hole that Carly Fiorina has dug for herself on Twitter.
"Love my alma mater," Ms. Fiorina tweeted, "but rooting for a Hawkeyes win today." That was what she chose to type, without a smiley face it should be noted, last Friday just before Stanford took the field to take on Iowa in the Rose Bowl. To be clear: Carly Fiorina graduated from Stanford back in 1976. She returned in 2001 to deliver the commencement address. Up until January 1, 2016, we would have all assumed that Ms. Fiorina was a member in good standing with the alumni association and keeps her credentials close on her very own cardinal and white lanyard. Maybe it was just a goof on her part. Or maybe it had something to do with the upcoming presidential primary in Iowa. The Iowas presidential primary that is set one month from the date of Carly's tweet. The presidential primary that finds her tied in the polls with Chris Christie. That's the good news. The more unfortunate news would be that leaves her tied for eighth place. So why not make a quick cast upon the sea of college football fans who may have been sitting at home on New Year's Day, preparing their chips and dip before the big game? "Hey, looks like maybe this Fiorina lady may just have what it takes." Unless you're looking for loyalty and integrity.
Unless the Tweet in question turned out to be "tongue in cheek, for heaven's sake." At least that's what she maintained in an appearance on  CNN's "State of the Union" two days after Stanford mopped up the field with those feisty Hawkeyes. I understand completely how something like this could happen. It would never occur to any of us that it was a simple pandering for votes. Go ahead and insert the appropriate roll of eyes and/or emoticon here.
We can only assume that Donald Trump's entire campaign has been tongue in cheek.