THE POLITICAL ARENA.....

There was a piece in today's CiF about the decision of Caroline Kennedy to withdraw from the race for the US senate. At 52, she's roughly my contemporary and although we're worlds apart in every other way I can possibly think of I do sympathise with her decision.
You really do have to have a thick skin to survive any form of public life - especially these days when complete strangers can hurl abuse on website forums. It is also incredibly tough putting your name foward for positions, making speeches, and trying to "sell" yourself to people in a few minutes of soundbites. Then there are the backstabbers, the people who delberately set out to undermine you and, of course, the tough job of smiling brightly and keeping quiet when you can see a red mist fast descending in front of your eyes.Not forgetting the unfortunate press photographs which do you no favours whatsoever.... Do I have a thick skin? No. Am I trying to acquire one. Yes. But I suspect I never will.