Playing to the Muddle

If politics has become more about personality than portfolio, then what can be said about the Bush version of leadership and the hope of a more sophisticated antidote in the next incarnation of president?

Only that Bush's terminally relaxed approach, seen as often in his policies as in the abundant photographs of the 43rd commander in chief (insert asterisk here) assuming the physicality of a buzzed fratboy during Spring Break, has effectively exhausted the job's credibility and the American people's gauge of what makes a capable leader. Bush's latest photo-ops featuring his arms draped casually about the shoulders of American Olympic athletes (a less jaw-dropping extension of his chest bumps and high fives at a recent military graduation ceremony. What statesman-like bearing!) sums up the casualness with which this administration consistently administered, the casualness towards human life, toward the Constitution and toward overall social responsibility and integrity that once defined the country's spirit and global appeal.

What is the lethal disconnect in our judgment which permits the ascension of dickheads to positions of power, rather than the arguably less charismatic but genuinely effective personalities capable of shrewdness and insight? Can it be attributed to the endless peddling of passivity-inducing crap like reality television, electronic gadgets and ass-expanding fast food? Adlai Stevenson may have been an egghead but there was valuable nutrition in that yoke, stuff that Ike probably, even for all his World War II heroism and recently praised foresight about military industrial complexes and such, never had. Instead of a healthy skepticism there is an unaccountable fear, not of fear itself but of government itself, a fear which, like the similarly wielded cartoon threats of terrorism, Muslims, Michelle Obama and anything else that can be writ with a big red crayon as being SCARY, DIFFERENT, BAD and UNAMERICAN has lined the pockets of the canny cadre of corporate Chicken Littles and utterly hobbled any progress in this country.

The way Obama has been skewing his original and compelling message to the so-called middle as well as the blatant scattershot idiocy of McCain's campaign, echoing not only the politics but the universally ridiculed style of the swaggering lame-schmuck incumbent both are vying to replace tells us that political success at the presidential level depends chiefly on the ignorance and gullibility of the people, characteristics that are on full display with every low-brow gesture of patriotism, consumerism and isolationism, of playing to the middle, of making a message consumable to all even if it means bowdlerization. All, sadly, essential elements in the current make-up of the American electorate.

A crumbling infrastructure, a crafty government, an uninvolved and unevolved population -- these are the fruits of preferring style to substance. It only proves that people are genuine in their desire to be led to a promised land, which doesn't make them bad. It's just not, considering the caliber and true intent of their would-be leaders, smart.

Comments

[4U2consider]

For me, your blogs raise a question: Are Americans smart? Let’s apply that to voters: the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971, in response to Boomers protesting they were “old enough to kill but not for votin’.” But today, some 37 years later, scientists now know that the final physiological aspect of the human body to reach adult maturity (around age 22-25) is the part of the brain responsible for judgment...serious food for thought.

On primary day in Indianapolis 2008, young voters congregated on street corners and waved and held posters for Obama. They entreated drivers to honk and a general air of gaiety ensued. My usually blasé co-workers became caught up in the festivities, actively engaged by the “event-ness” of it all.

But, you know all those westerns you watched as a kid and how often the townsfolk were gonna string up an innocent person, stirred by the “event-ness” of it all? I determined to not be like them when I grew up. I may not have the power of a Ben Cartwright, but I have a voice. And so, on that primary day, I said to my giddy co-workers, “It’s not a game, it’s our lives.” [Hillary Clinton, circa now] They sobered right up.

I want our voters to be smart, sane, sober and mature. (And if McCain were smart, he would have spent the Bush years lobbying to raise the voting age back up!)

[cunuck]

"All, sadly, essential elements in the current make-up of the American electorate."

This is something the Republicans realized decades ago and the Democrats only beginning to understand now.

But, you have to work with what you have.

The "Great Truth" of the matter is in that old adage:

You can fool some of the people all of the time;
And you can fool all of the people some of the time

And this is enough to get elected.................

[momosity]

"What is the lethal disconnect in our judgment which permits the ascension of dickheads to positions of power . . .?"

That's an easy one. People have become morons and will believe whatever asinine lies the Repugnicans spew, and Democrats generally won't stoop to their level of evil in response. Thank goodness for birth control, so my husband and I can choose not to have children who would inevitably be as frustrated as we are at the dumbing down of this once-great country.

[kappa08]

As stated before...intellectual curiosity and a high level view of the entire spectrum has become a cherished commodity in this country. Only those willing to shelf ego will "get this" Steven.
Personally I never though the institute of "Redneck" would become popular again as in the early 80's. But then again I also thought American was more complex than the 2 dimensional decision process that drives today's vote by eventually killing themselves with a paper thin argument for war.
I get it...you get it and a handful of Americans, it seems do as well. Let's just "hope" the "git 'er done's" lose interest or become distracted by their own tail.

[jylnc]

HuffPost's Pick

I don't believe the problem is appreciating intellectualism or academic excellence. The problem arrives when someone believes their education, viewpoint, or lifetime achievement makes them superior to others. Treating people with respect regardless of their views, education, or station in life is an attribute that attracts and being disrespectful repels. What I have noticed on both extremes of the political spectrum is a lack of respect and appreciation for the diversity that makes the United States unique and strong. I may not agree with every position another person has but I will always respect them.

Whomever wins the Presidential election will be the President of all the citizens of the United States and not any one contingent. I am one of the "muddle" or so called middle who is researching and looking for substance in my choice for 2008. I will sift through spin, media hype, and partisanship but I will not give up my right to asses the candidates until the moment I enter the voting booth in November.

I am a moderate Republican and I live in Illinois. I voted for Barack in the 2004 Senate race. I do not believe Barack Obama has a superiority complex but I believe some of his supporters fall into that category. They are responsible for some of the misconceptions surrounding Barack Obama in this election year.

[Herrington]

Dear jylnc, obesance to title and credentials is a pitfall. What we must strive for is to hear the complete argument and make decisions based on analysis rather than inclination. Not everyone is concerned enough or even able to evaluate complex issues. Therefore they rely on the opinion of others, rather more than any would like to admit. Result, obesance to title and credentials, and neither qualification has served us well in the last 30 years.

The perception of Obama suporters as, perhaps, having a superiority complex is misplaced. What they are is impatient, having already covered the ground necessary to make a decision, whether fully thought through or not. They, just as McCain supporters have already made their choices, again, fully informed or not.

I can tell you this, whether you trust a man's character or whether you trust a man's ability to think are NOT, entirely, two different things when it comes to results.

[kappa08]

It is not difficult to feel "superior" if you have the capacity to see through the bullshi+...If a man like George Bush or McCaine inspires "you"(editorial you) then that becomes sufficient enough for me to dismiss everything else that follows you're argument.
I don't care what people think about Obama's class of supporters. Do you think those gluttons of consumerism that have fueled this country's downfall cared about what we thought of their short sighted selfish vote? Let's see...in their eyes "environmental issues are for pus***s", vulgar 13 mpg SUV's are "our right" regardless of whether we need them or not and people that question authority are "unpatriotic".
It amazes me how their insecurities drive that position. Hmmm...wonder why? Maybe it's the audacity of thought.

[cunuck]

Unfortunately, decision making is not based on intellect as much as it is on emotion. Emotions will affect the weight one puts on different factors. It will affect what information and from where one obtains this information in one's attempt to find information to make a "logical" decision.

(In fact, neuroscience studies using MRI are showing that emotions are the very basis for intelligence.)

Possibly this is why you are waiting until the very end to make your voting decision. You are waiting for a “chord to be struck" - a "gut feeling" so to speak.

I can understand this if you are a moderate Republican. Your choice in selecting a President will not be easy with McCain. You are between a rock and a hard place. You might want to look closer at what makes you uneasy about voting your party affiliation.

[jylnc]

Thanks Herrington, kappao8, and canuck for replying to my comment. It was my first comment on The Huffington Post even though I've been a daily visitor for quite awhile.

canuck - I have never voted based on party affiliation. I've voted Democratic as often as I have voted Republican. I am not waiting for a "chord to be struck" but like a person sitting on a jury, I am waiting for all of the evidence to be presented. I was advised by my college Political Science instructor to take my time and research the candidates' policies then watch how the candidates handle themselves under the microscope of the election process. That advice has served me well. My waiting has nothing to do with being uneasy with either McCain or Obama.

Your comment about emotions influencing decision making rings true. Both sides of the political spectrum are so passionate about their choices and often perplexed why everyone else doesn't see it from their viewpoint. I just wish there was more mutual respect mixed in with the passion. It is almost impossible to convince another individual to change their position or beliefs when you are insulting them on every level.

[ericsongs]

I may have a slighlty different take on this. I do not believe that Steven is trying to belittle or berate us.
He may only be trying to slap us into cognizance! He just might be attempting to apply a metaphorical electric shock, or pound our chests repeatedly, in order to revive the patients whose heart or lungs have stopped functioning. I do know that these last seven or eight years has taken a toll ............ and frankly, I am having a little trouble catching my next breath.
just,ericsongs

[Herrington]

Ah, the most elegant complaint on American intellectual entropy to date. Well done Weber!

And we are ably assisted in the degeneration of our collective smarts by a few well funded and politically connected shock talk radio miscreants. If you recall, furious with the leftist public radio and television product, the right wing set out to create their own media. Call it Information Free America.

Backed by a unitary political interest, talk radio and Fox, are getting very close to violating the spirit of the 1st Amendment. The litany of lies and distortions, tantamount to lies, is dangerous to the public. This is because it has had the intended effect, that being to get the public to vote against their own best interest. It is one thing to have an opinion or to make a mistake in fact, and quite another to lie to the public with the intent of misleading them, which I guess is always the intent of a lie, duh.

With corporations and the right wing dominating the airwaves, 24/7, one wonders if freedom of speech is really available when drowned out by massive financial resources that power the shouting of the right.

[TRYKER]

In a way, I don't see that much of a problem with playing to the muddle some of the time.
Since those in the know have already seen and understood that Obama is the right candidate, playing to their egos ALL of the time is a waste of precious time and resources. After all, we want to elect a president of US ALL, not just the left wing.

Lets get some info and encouraging news to the middle, wake them up to see that all is not lost IF they elect an intelligent man AT LAST.

Get them to see how they have voted AGAINST their own interests by supporting the republicants and that they won't stand a chance IF they elect another one.
Get them to think more about their country and less about the boogieman and FEAR as a way of life...as its been under Bushco.

Fear or Hope? your choice.

[Beaux510]

If anyone hasn't seen the very-little-seen film (and I use the term film VERY loosely here) IDIOCRACY, they should. It's where we'll be in 100 years if this keeps going where we're going.

In the words of the late-great Dr. Hunter S. Thompson:

"Jesus, how low does one have to stoop to become President?" - from Fear and Loathing" On The Campaign Trail '72 - Which by the way has scary parallels with the current race.

[momosity]

That's EXACTLY what I was getting at in my haste to post (I should always try to read what others have written previously). Darwinism isn't working anymore, because the stupid people aren't getting killed off like they used to.

[SwampeastMike]

Steven,

You and other Huffington Post bloggers need to realize that some of us in the "muddle" (both idiologically and geographically) are here because we're doing our best to make the most reasoned choice. By constantly berating us you are not in any way helping Obama's cause.

[momosity]

So if you're not interested in hearing why Obama deserves to win and how disastrous it would be for McCain to keep up the Bush travesty, why are you even reading this?

Those of you in the ideological/geographic "muddle" need to get your heads out of the sand. The Republicans are not your friends. They vote against the interests of the poor and do everything they can to enrich the top 1%. They busted the unions, stagnated wages, and ignored climate change until it swam up and bit them on the a$$.

Obama-Wan Kenobi (if you'll permit me a litte geek reference), you're our only hope!

[meanguy]

well, you DID do a decent job in 'the shining'...just trying to be fair

[hippynanainblingland]

Adlai Stevenson may have been an egghead but there was valuable nutrition in that yoke...

Steven, surely you meant "yolk", didn't you?

[kjdwyer]

You've hit the nail on the head yet again.

Unfortunately, as I've said before about other on-point articles, it's like driving a nail into a bowl of whipped cream.

I wish there was more of us outside the choir to effect some change. It's brutal having to watch all of this play out in front of you like some horrible accident. The only power you have is your voice and no matter how you reason, rant and rage, nothing lands and you just have to watch it all come crashing down. Horrible. Cassandras treated like Chicken Littles.

Thanks for continuing to document all of this. Maybe some future generation will look back and realize that we weren't all asleep at the switch.

[SirReal1]

Steven,

Surely you know that it is more important to "look good" than to "be good",

and Steven, you look MAHVOLOUS!

[susaw]

How sad that even our candidates for leader (no matter how able they are) must play to the lowest common denominator. It demeans us all. It is one great failure in this country. We seem unable to elevate others, only to lower ourselves. It is what is wrong with public education and so many other things. It is how a country as great as this one could stoop low enough to elect George W. Bush.

[ProgressiveBum]

I share your feelings.