Wednesday, May 9, 2007
In theory, the recent Presidential debates of each party were supposed to reveal the frontrunners and agendas of the leading candidates. In practice, the debates revealed little more than a dearth of frontrunners, a stale repackaging of tired ideas and a general media lamentation about the perceived lack of choice candidates.
The problems of the Democrats are comparatively minor; any of the three poll-leading candidates would probably represent the party well — or at least adequately — in the general election. The unifying theme of the moment is frustrated vitriol directed at President Bush, which temporarily saves the candidates from tearing one another down.
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Mass media outlets, who already seem bored with the present candidates — or at least their perpetual coverage of such — have taken to endlessly speculating on the potential of undeclared candidates.
The Republicans, however, have a whole host of problems. Mitt Romney perplexingly raises millions while failing to make an impact in polls. John McCain, in an apparently desperate effort to recapture his “straight talk” magic of 2000, sounds and looks increasingly unhinged. Rudy Giuliani, eager to overcome his Northeast stigma, seems anxious to attack any threat, tangible or perceived. Add a supporting cast from the lunatic fringes of the party and it is no wonder that many Republican voters are sweating a bit.
Mass media outlets, who already seem bored with the present candidates — or at least their perpetual coverage of such — have taken to endlessly speculating on the potential of undeclared candidates. Chief among them are the avuncular Fred Thompson, who speaks of the presidency with a sort of cavalier nonchalance, as if the office is merely a tempting promotion from NBC. Cerebral envirocrusader Al Gore continues to attract attention, as does New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who rules his fiefdom with radical efficiency.
George Santayana once famously observed that Americans don’t solve problems, they leave them behind. And while we have always been a grass-is-always-greener populace, who would have thought that would extend into primary season? The goal of the primaries is not to select from among ten excellent, prepared candidates who could step into the office today. Rather, the primaries should be a time of candidate development, when public servants with unrefined views sharpen their collective focus and are imbued with the wishes of the people.
In an age of media packaging, we seem to want nothing less than a fully functional president two years before the election. This is not only unlikely, but it is in contrast to the developmental framework of the primary system. We would be wise to spend the next 12 months investigating candidates for ourselves, then forming conclusions based on what we want from a president, not what the nearest or most recently surging candidate is offering us.
— McKay Stangler for the editorial board
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Comments
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
radical efficiency?
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
No good? Addressing the city's deficit, wresting control of NYC schools from Albany, the smoking ban (1200 fewer deaths from heart disease in NYC last year), thousands of new housing units for the city's poor, increased homeland security funds, the 311 system, settling contracts with city workers, wild popularity (approval in the 70s), more money spent on parks in 80 years, etc. At least MILD efficiency.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
I think great, or amazing efficiency would be better. Radical has a different connotation than the intended meaning.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
I'd also like to point out how we have the "supporting cast from the lunatic fringes" of the Republican party, but nothing is mentioned about the far-left runners for the Democrat nomination. I'd also like to ask which candidates for the Republicans are considered the lunatic fringe and what qualifies them for that prestigous title?
Of course the Republicans are sweating a bit. The media and the far-left have motivated the masses with anti-war fervor and hatred of the President. Though George Bush isn't running in 2008, it is almost like his name is on the ballet the way the Democrats are running right now.
Finally, I just had to laugh calling Al Gore "cerebral." That is just too rich!
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
I know! Imagine using "cerebral" to describe a Harvard and Vanderbilt grad with a legendarily rich grasp of complex issues, and who is one of the world's most respected policy minds. What a laugh riot!
There are plenty of far left lunatics running for the Democratic ticket. After most of the frontrunners, take your pick. And if you can't determine which GOP candidates have earned that title, you must not be following the campaigns (or the media coverage) too closely.
Anti-war fervor? Or accurate depiction of chaotic mess?
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
"Radical": fundamentally effecting of transformation, or thoroughgoing/extreme. A perfectly suitable word choice. Try not to get caught up in modern political connotation-- give denotation a try.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
If Al Gore is one of the most respected policy minds in the world, we are in deep trouble. His Global Warming rhetoric which is what he is known for today is completely and utterly scientifically unsound, especially in light of recent studies of the sun and the earth's heating and cooling cycles. He is a man who sold out some of his beliefs (most notably on abortion) so that he could become the vice-president for Bill Clinton. He is an inept man who could not win the 2000 election even though it was believed that he was a shoe-in after the Clinton presidency. And finally........my god is he boring :). Al Gore is a washed up politician who is the leader of a global warming movement that looks day by day more and more like a cultist religion.
Also, being a graduate of Harvard or Vanderbilt does not make you smarter than everyone else. George Bush is seen as a dunce though he graduated Yale. I guess if you are a leftist who graduated from those institutions you are refined and intelligent, othewise you are a dunce, like back in 2004 when Kerry was the intelligent candidate, though he had a lower GPA at Yale than President Bush. I do not know Al Gore's grades, but even they do not speak of his intellect.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
Robot, you named some of my favorite hosts, how did you know :) ? However, the study on the sun was in the Kansas City Star and other papers a few months ago. I will try and find some links to these if you are interested in them.
Also, in response to the war, I think American's dislike what is occurring in Iraq because they feel nothing is getting better, but 1. That is false, things are changing and 2. I don't think a majority of American's want to simply give up. I think they want a better strategy which makes headway there. Recent activity in Washington is looking to admit American defeat even though we haven't.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
Calling Rush Limbaugh and the others vile crap means you probably don't have the intelligence to understand him.
Yes, I cited a paper, cuz thats where I read about it the first time, but it is based off the actual scholarly publication and I will find it when I get the time.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
I like how KUCatholic08 doesn't trust the NYT but will take the infantile dribble from a drug addicted sycophant as gospel. What a joke.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
... or Michael Oakeshott. It is too easy for simple-minded people to latch onto Conservatism (or Liberalism) without knowing anything about it other than how it makes them feel. In KUCatholic08's case, his stilted view of Conservatism makes him feel as if he has the right to be smug and condescending without having to resort to anything approaching reality.
Editorial: Presidential candidates seem stale
YES!!!!!! Thank you Hermeschick. You proved that none of you actually know what goes on on the Rush Limbaugh show or what is said. You simply take reports from leftwing sources which vilify him and slant his statements. The parody "Barak the Magic Negro" made fun of the LA times and its articles which questioned whether Barak was "black enough" and from which the "Magic Negro" statement came from. It also poked fun at the feud that went on between Al Sharpton and Barak because Barak was tauted as the first articulate and bright black predisidential nominee by Democratic Senator Joseph Biden. Sharpton was upset because he had run for president, and if Barak was the first bright and articulate, it must have meant Sharpton wasn't. The parody is both a laugh riot and a dead on attack of the racism that exists in the left-wing of this country. You all attack Limbaugh, but you have probably never listened to him in your life. Rush is inspirational, accurate, and a hell of a lot of fun to listen to.
And yes, I do know all four of those distinguished conservatives. Accusing a right wing radical like myself of not knowing conservatives really cracked me up. George Will's works are a personal favorite of mine.
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