American politics never ceases to fascinate, not least because it has become more and more about cash and celebrity, and less and less about politics and issues, at least in the last six months prior to a general election. If you listen to the campaign managers and their moaning, it's only the money that gets you elected. Or kicked out.
Obamapac got elected in 2008 in what was the costliest presidential campaign in history, with an amount spent in excess of $5 billion by the two candidates, their political parties and various interest groups. Given the state of the country today, it seems almost immoral to spend that kind of money on helping someone to get their dream job. Especially when it's the same guy who wants his contract extended, who will spend even more celebrity cash this time around, and yet he has barely kept some serious promises that got him elected the last time. The economy is in the dumpster, but let's spend another few billion to ensure our quality of life in that big old white house.
Air Force One has been on quite a tour around the country in recent months, with a particular focus on one high-end piece of airspace real estate: Hollywood. The big O hangin' with his celebrity pals as the minions scurry around the room vacuuming up cash. Hangin' with George and Brad and the boys is way more fun that what poor old Mitt has to do to raise money, right? Another glass of Cristal, George?
That a campaigner-in-chief who is more in awe of celebrity than is appropriate for a country's leader is not the worst aspect of his moneymaking. In a sense, if he can use them to help him out, fine. Even if the typical middle class family that has been downgraded to working class or even homeless, under his watch, might find his celebrity-hugging antics rather distasteful. It does not add to his credibility regarding how much he cares for and works for Joe Public.
No, what is the most disingenuous aspect of this is that now that Mitt Romney, perhaps unexpectedly, has become his very own cash cow, hauling in catches in the tens of millions on single days, Obamapac is already crying about it. Mitt raked in over $100 million in June alone, and he has got the boys worried. Obamapac campaign manager Jim Messina even put into print that "if it continues at this pace, it could cost us the election" in an email sent out to push the need for more cash.
So, are we to conclude that it has got nothing at all to do with what the big O did or did not achieve, or what state the union is in, but simply, how much money is in the bank to publish negative ads on the other guy? This is the impression given. But it's great to see Democrats in a state of panic; there has been way too much cockiness in the Obama camp, who believed the rather lackluster Republican presidential nomination race to be an indicator of their imminent landslide back into the White House. Cue the parties!
"Over the next four months, you will be bombarded with more negative ads. You've got these super PACs, millionaires, billionaires, writing $10 million checks, just pouring, raining down on my head!", says Obama.
Aww, you poor thing! That's terrible! "Et tu, Brute". Talk about disingenuous, self-centered and misleading! This is the guy who wrote the new rules for presidential fundraising by his decision in 2008 to finance both his primary and general election campaigns via donations from private donors. The inflation in current presidential level fundraising was initiated by him; for others to run against him, they have no choice but to do the same. Yet now that a Republican showed that they can compete on the money, we hear sniffles and bleating from the Democrats. Grow up, boys. You started it. And it's modern politics. So get over it. "Zip it" is a better reaction, than schoolboy-level moaning.
Aww, you poor thing! That's terrible! "Et tu, Brute". Talk about disingenuous, self-centered and misleading! This is the guy who wrote the new rules for presidential fundraising by his decision in 2008 to finance both his primary and general election campaigns via donations from private donors. The inflation in current presidential level fundraising was initiated by him; for others to run against him, they have no choice but to do the same. Yet now that a Republican showed that they can compete on the money, we hear sniffles and bleating from the Democrats. Grow up, boys. You started it. And it's modern politics. So get over it. "Zip it" is a better reaction, than schoolboy-level moaning.
Don't get me wrong people, I am not saying that the big O is not a decent human being, nor am I saying that I don't think he could or should get re-elected. But I am delighted that it is not going to be a shoe-in, that his gang are now running scared, and they see that there is going to be a fight ahead, if not an all-out war. Given what is at stake, and what state the country is in economically, I truly believe that anyone who wants to get another four years of celebrity-laden parties in the big old white house, needs to roll up their sleeves and godamn fight for it.
Of course, I would be much happier if the election was totally focused on the issues, and what has gone wrong and needs fixing, rather than how much money has he raised now? The electorate needs to smarten up and vote with their intellect, and not be swayed by any of the nonsense we are all going to be exposed to by both campaigns in the coming months. Intellect, not emotion.
The young voters who helped get Obama the job last time, have seen his own "celebrity" fade to the level of a mere politician: not the rock star they thought he was in 2008. They need to think about whether they can afford to go to college next year, graduates need to wonder who can help them find jobs instead of lying around their parent's homes after college, and everyone must look to the longer term than just right now. Think, analyze, then vote.
The depressing job numbers published yesterday are not what Obama wanted, and are precisely the kind of material that Romney will take advantage of, immediately. It's all in the game, and all is fair in love and war. This one classifies way more as war, and if that war forces the realization that the country is sick of seeing their lives and retirement options being eroded, then it's a very good thing. May the best man win. All we can pray for is that this time, the "best" man winning might also actually lead to a "win" for most of those who put him there. Now that's an interesting concept! - Kevin Mc
No comments:
Post a Comment