Dennis Kucinich has thrown a banana in the engine of the 2008 presidential election this week with the unexpected announcement that he is considering asking Ron Paul to be his vice-presidential running mate if he wins the Democratic nomination.
At first glance, it’s an exciting combination. After all, both Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are outsiders within their own political parties, mavericks who challenge political leadership with unorthodox ideas.
After the first glance, it’s just a banana in the engine. That makes for a car that won’t run, and a piece of fruit that nobody wants to eat.
Ron Paul is a libertarian who wants to reduce government down to the size of near non-existence. Dennis Kucinich wants to increase the power of government to do positive things, by doing thing like creating a new Department of Peace.
Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are not chocolate and peanut butter. They are not two great tastes that taste great together. They are a banana and an engine.
i think “water in gasoline” is the analogy that you’re looking for.
Or tentacle in the shoe.