I’ve been following the U.S. debates with a sense of horror and fascination. Remember the days when debates were about hard facts to support a good argument?
Now, it’s about Big Bird.
How in all that is red, white and blue did the race for the leader of the free world get mixed up with an eight-foot Muppet?
In 2008, critics were snide about Obama’s flashy presidential run.
His campaign stops were conducted like a Hollywood production.
He collected A-list celebrities to push his name. And he not only gave the standard news interviews, he also showed up on Late Night programs and even Saturday Night Live.
For the younger, jaded voters, he was the hip new guy in politics. And he kept it up for four years.
But while he certainly took it the furthest, Obama’s hardly the first to realize that image is everything.
It’s been said that America would never have elected FDR had television cameras been around in 1932.
Then, as now, it was all about the image of power and strength.
Consequently, Roosevelt convinced those around him that he was getting better and always appeared in public standing while “supported” by his sons. In fact, only two photographs are known to exist of FDR in his wheelchair.
In the 1960’s, Camelot was opened up to TV crews so that America could fall in love with the First Family.
Jackie’s decorating and John-John playing under daddy’s desk took centre stage over actual legislation.
So it’s no surprise that with today’s media frenzy, the extent of the “show” that politicians put on has grown exponentially.
At one time, only the Susan Sarandons and Tim Robbins of Hollywood got political. Then, suddenly others joined in, bringing with them more cameras to the delight of the candidates.
There’s definite mileage to be had from this association. Still, Romney has to be wondering how to evict Lindsay Lohan from his camp.
Then you add the campaign soundtracks and music videos, and the package is complete. However, given the outcome of this election’s first debate, the VP candidates are now getting a bigger role in the show.
Presidential hopefuls are paired with what the strategists consider the perfect foil for them: flash matched with substance; youth with experience; personality with intelligence. How else do you explain Sarah Palin?
The recent VP debate was a Hollywood masterpiece. Joe Biden shined with his gentleman façade and that freakishly-bright Colgate smile. (Seriously, who IS his dentist?)
Meanwhile, Paul Ryan’s eyes zeroed in on the camera lens like the love-child of the Boys from Brazil and John F. Kennedy.
And I’m still not sure anyone actually made a point.
But as we proved in 2000, elections are not decided on issues, facts, or even a sound plan. It’s about who has the best show.
And based on the 10 million tweets after the first debate, this one will likely be won by fowl means, not fair.
