The Senator was vulgar, almost illiterate, a public liar easily detected, and in his "ideas" almost idiotic, while his celebrated piety was that of a traveling salesman for church furniture, and his yet more celebrated humor the sly cynicism of a country store.Certainly there was nothing exhilarating in the actual words of his speeches, nor anything convincing in his philosophy. His political platforms were only wings of a windmill.
The Senator depicted in Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here" is characterized as crude and nearly uneducated, demonstrating a lack of sincerity in both his speech and beliefs. His dishonesty is easily perceived by the public, showing that he lacks substance in his ideas and boasts a form of piety that feels insincere, akin to a salesman pushing furniture marketed to religious audiences. His alleged humor is not genuine; rather, it reflects a cynical view reminiscent of small-town commerce.
Lewis illustrates that there is nothing inspiring about the Senator’s rhetoric or his political ideology, suggesting that his political ambitions lack real vision or depth. The metaphor of his political platforms being akin to "wings of a windmill" emphasizes their lack of direction and effectiveness. Overall, the portrayal captures a disturbing modern politician who prioritizes superficial qualities over genuine leadership or thought-provoking principles.