
Issue No 75		27 October 2000

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Politics

Where Too Much Politics Is Barely Enough

With daily newspapers providing polling and analysis, television, cable, radio and Internet providing 24 hour coverage over a year long campaign -- there's more than enough politics for even the most voracious American political junkie reports Michael Gadiel.


	Michael Gadiel

The most avid watcher quickly becomes jaded given the quantity of information to absorb. The analysis is analysed, and the spin doctors commented upon, to the uninitiated the experience can become overwhelming.

Given the ocean of facts, figures, news, anecdotes, discussion panels, polls, vox pops, rhetoric, satire and spin -- it becomes impossible to separate what is important from the background noise. As in Australia, getting too close to the campaign can make you lose your perspective.

It seems that the punters are still buying the "hayseed", "good old boy" routine that George W. Bush plays when questioned beyond his understanding of the issues (which is frequently). It seems he can answer any question with an answer like, "I don't know 'bout that -- but I sure do know what the folks want and that be kicking some good 'ole Washington butt" -- and the voters love it. Al Gore seems to be unaware that he is playing into this strategy by being the kid at the front of the class saying "pick me, pick me, I know that answer to that -- now let me tell you...", twenty minutes later they've still got no idea what the hell he is talking about, but they have decided that if they have to put up with this for the next four years they'd rather elect the dummy.

Still this is the country where Governor Bush, the son of a former President and the bother of Jeb Bush, the Governor of Florida, is able to cast himself as the political outsider?!? Bit 'o the 'old Ross Perot stuff there 'aye George? The is also the place where it looks like the dead (former) Governor of Missouri, Carnahan, is going to win a place in the Senate. Where the Governor of Minnesota, Ace Venture (yes, the Rock 'n' Roll wrestler who wore the feather boa) did an interview with Playboy magazine declaring that if he died he'd "like to come back as a 'D cup' bra"!

Indeed the Americans are becoming a cynical and jaded lot. Their politicians still make impassioned speeches promising big picture visions of justice and equality. The place is so big, and people to switched off, the only way you can get your message through is by television. But television costs. In come the money men. Money -- the mother's milk of US politics. But with the money come the strings and the vested interests ensure that things stay the same and that the visions that are passionately declared at campaign rallies can never be realised. Your message becomes hollow, but now you're on television, you can say what you like, because it's free speech, and you'll get elected, because the Americans will vote for anyone who's on television. They have a political system that has been totally distorted by the broadcast medium.

Voters still aspire to the high ideals, want the passion but are not prepared to vote for a candidate who does not advertise, that is, a candidate without money. It seems that the whole system could do with a healthy injection of realism. I think we're going to have to wait another ten to fifteen years before the Internet overtakes television and the fundamentals of political dialog can be changed. Until then, be prepared for more cynicism.

The current race is still tight. Following the last Presidential debate, Bush was able to establish a commanding lead. But as the campaign has progressed over the last week, Gore has regained ground. With two weeks to go, Bush is a few points ahead, but within both candidates are within the polling error margin of each other. The campaigns are focusing in on the battleground states, the key among which is Florida. Gore can't win without Florida, a traditional Republican stronghold and Governed by Bush's brother. But with a high proportion of retirees, health is a major issue in this state and Gore has more credibility in this area.

America is in a time of economic boom, unemployment is at record lows - the Nation feels it can afford to elect someone it likes rather than someone it needs -- so Gore is in trouble. If he is to win the campaign he needs to go back to his strategy for the Democratic Convention -- show some self analysis and wind back his ego. If he basically admits that he's a dork, apologises and makes the point that there are some major issues like education, health care and social security at stake -- he is clearly the candidate with the better credentials in those areas. Gore must convince the electorate that he is the 'smart guy' and not just the 'smart ass'. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the Gore campaign isn't turning to Workers Online for its advice, so I don't think the message will get through. We'll just have to wait, hope and see what happens!

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Issue 75 contents

Interview: Civilized Capital
The FNV's Harrie Lindelauff explains to Peter Lewis how a friendly government and moderate employers make for a different sort of workplace in Holland.

Politics: Where Too Much Politics Is Barely Enough
With daily newspapers providing polling and analysis, television, cable, radio and Internet providing 24 hour coverage over a year long campaign -- there's more than enough politics for even the most voracious American political junkie reports Michael Gadiel.

International: US Cleaners on Hunger Strike
A number of US cleaners have this week gone on a hunger strike to back a union campaign for higher wages.

Economics: The Pass The Risk Trick
Derivatives, often seen as the currency of casino capitalism, are the fastest growing, largest and potentially most volatile aspect of capitalist economies. Economist Dick Brian sees behind this image an even deeper danger.

Health: Depressing Workplaces
New technologies and the impact of globalisation have sparked more stress and bouts of depression for workers, while causing a growing burden for social security systems, a new ILO report says.

Unions: Costello's Con
The low paid are bearing the brunt of the GST with inflation at a 10 year high argues the ACTU's Greg Combet.

Satire: Bush campaign an in-joke, admit advisors
TEXAS, Thursday: Following Bush's disastrous performance in the first Presidential debate it has been revealed that his bid for president is actually the result of a in-joke about how stupid the American people are.

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» WA Secrecy Laws Gag Union Members

» LHMU Seek $1 An Hour Rise

» Picket Protects Broadway Squats

» APHEDA Appeal For Palestinian Medical Relief

» World Bank, IMF To Consult Unions

» Festering Joy

» Heath Our Hero Wins Two Gold