I Am Talking

Here’s the problems as I see them. Based on the formulas for the conventions and thus what you see being spewed forth during them there’s little talk of policy. Each party, for a week, gets to frame the subsequent discussion simply due to the fact that they’re the only one’s talking. What happens on stage isn’t discussion it’s rhetoric. It’s also generally lacking in policy substance because of the potential for causing divisiveness with the party they’re pandering to. So for 8 combined days we get to hear how great their candidate is from people who were pointing out how much he sucked only weeks/months ago. Since both sides have only talked about how great their guy is the opposition’s only available reaction to it is "he sucks".

Theoretically we’ll get more policy meat and potatoes once the debates roll around. It’ll still be a bunch of scripted posturing but at least it’ll be over policy rather than "you suck," "no, you suck."

What’s interesting about this election is how each party has moved a bit more to the left in reaction to the whole country’s irritation with what’s gone on over the past 8ish years. It’s fascinating really. As is this bizzarro dance the McCain campaign is doing for the GOP base/public/special interest/swing voters. It’s pretty amazing and I’m kind of surprised no one, that I’ve seen, has commented on it yet.

Anyway, they can’t campaign on policy anymore for a couple reasons. The general public is too lazy to fact check or even read a newspaper article. Eventually it’ll get thrown back in the party’s face if they don’t deliver on campaign policy promises. It prevents the candidate from being nimble and changing their tune in order to address changes in polling. It seems that people vote based on impressions. Clinton won on charisma and deep political understanding. W won his first term on morality and second on fear (and because Kerry was a puss who just took it in the face).