15 April 2008
Demeaning the Public
It isn’t easy for Republicans to distract the public from their job losses, the rising cost of essentials, etc. with references to “hot button issues.” Senator Obama found himself in hot water by calling a few such issues—gun control, religious fervor, immigration reform—small-town America’s refuges from their bitterness over the bad state of the economy. The Bush Administration has failed to distract the Iraqi public from the humiliation of American invasion by characterizing their natural resistance as Baathist recidivism or Al Qaeda terrorism. The Iraqi public is not that stupid, nor is the American electorate. People understand where their interests lie. Underestimating their intelligence, even in a slip of the tongue, invites facile and effective put-downs from an eventual opponent’s political supporters.
None of Senator Clinton’s allies is happy that it is taking so long for the Democratic Party to decide on a candidate for President. The extended process inevitably leads to friction between the rival camps. However, avoiding that friction is not a good reason to settle on a candidate regardless of his or her suitability. It’s not a foregone conclusion that the Democrats will win the White House in November. The public will demand a President who demonstrates a clear understanding of what is on their minds. We shouldn’t avoid the difficult process of finding a candidate who makes that demonstration just because the process is messy.
It isn’t easy for Republicans to distract the public from their job losses, the rising cost of essentials, etc. with references to “hot button issues.” Senator Obama found himself in hot water by calling a few such issues—gun control, religious fervor, immigration reform—small-town America’s refuges from their bitterness over the bad state of the economy. The Bush Administration has failed to distract the Iraqi public from the humiliation of American invasion by characterizing their natural resistance as Baathist recidivism or Al Qaeda terrorism. The Iraqi public is not that stupid, nor is the American electorate. People understand where their interests lie. Underestimating their intelligence, even in a slip of the tongue, invites facile and effective put-downs from an eventual opponent’s political supporters.
None of Senator Clinton’s allies is happy that it is taking so long for the Democratic Party to decide on a candidate for President. The extended process inevitably leads to friction between the rival camps. However, avoiding that friction is not a good reason to settle on a candidate regardless of his or her suitability. It’s not a foregone conclusion that the Democrats will win the White House in November. The public will demand a President who demonstrates a clear understanding of what is on their minds. We shouldn’t avoid the difficult process of finding a candidate who makes that demonstration just because the process is messy.
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