Stupid Politician tricks: Uniquely American?

Rykaird · 04-06-07, 02:49 PM

To answer the the question proposed in the title of your thread, no, stupid politician tricks are not uniquely American. They are worldwide, and have been around since man first sought political power.

The idea is to demonstrate alignment with the belief systems of key voting blocs. What IS uniquely American is that one of these belief systems is that a real American is a rugged, macho type. Remember when Al Gore, during the debate with Bush, suddenly left his podium, and strode across the stage menacingly towards Bush while Bush was speaking? He was hoping to provoke a flinch, so that the big news out of the debate would be that Bush was intimidated by Gore. It didn't work - Bush just kept talking, smiled at him and made some small comment. It ranks as one of the most bizarre moments in US presidential debates. But it does show the importance the US voting public puts on "toughness".

By the way, this is no different than Hilary walking around saying that "my religious faith influences every one of my political decisions", her sudden and visible return to regular Sunday churchgoing, all the while carrying the biggest bible she could find. She knows a big chunk of voters are religious, so poof - she starts demonstrating that alignment. You can argue whether she really is a practicing Christian - I won't, because I can't read her mind - but it is fair to say that the level with which she portrays herself as a Christian has dramatically increased.

In other countries, with different belief systems, demographics, psychographics, and voting blocs, the issues are different. But the stupid tricks are just the way the game is played. It is up to us voters to try to see beyond the tricks and make guesses about what policies the politician will actually implement if elected.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

04-06-07, 02:49 PM	#12
Rykaird Weps Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 356 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	To answer the the question proposed in the title of your thread, no, stupid politician tricks are not uniquely American. They are worldwide, and have been around since man first sought political power. The idea is to demonstrate alignment with the belief systems of key voting blocs. What IS uniquely American is that one of these belief systems is that a real American is a rugged, macho type. Remember when Al Gore, during the debate with Bush, suddenly left his podium, and strode across the stage menacingly towards Bush while Bush was speaking? He was hoping to provoke a flinch, so that the big news out of the debate would be that Bush was intimidated by Gore. It didn't work - Bush just kept talking, smiled at him and made some small comment. It ranks as one of the most bizarre moments in US presidential debates. But it does show the importance the US voting public puts on "toughness". By the way, this is no different than Hilary walking around saying that "my religious faith influences every one of my political decisions", her sudden and visible return to regular Sunday churchgoing, all the while carrying the biggest bible she could find. She knows a big chunk of voters are religious, so poof - she starts demonstrating that alignment. You can argue whether she really is a practicing Christian - I won't, because I can't read her mind - but it is fair to say that the level with which she portrays herself as a Christian has dramatically increased. In other countries, with different belief systems, demographics, psychographics, and voting blocs, the issues are different. But the stupid tricks are just the way the game is played. It is up to us voters to try to see beyond the tricks and make guesses about what policies the politician will actually implement if elected.