Rally Politics

I attended the Republican Rally this past Wednesday at Stabler Arena and I found it to be a very interesting event. If you don't know I am a Democrat and I have solidified my position these past weeks that I will vote for Barack Obama in this coming election. Despite this I believe strongly that to only look at any situation from only one side would be not to take that situation or issue seriously, since you can not truly grant it it's due unless you explore all angles and possibilities. A presidential election is no different, and if anything, is even more important to analyze with a steady yet curious eye. Being the first political rally I have ever been to I didn't know what to expect. Once the rally started it became clear that the main purpose was to excite the voter base considering that, despite myself who was there strictly for the experience, I would say the entire rest of the packed arena were ardent Republicans. The rally started with local politicians that supported John McCain, and it was much like the outline that the TV ads have followed the past few weeks, only significantly more intense. Considering that it is assumed that these rally-goers are all Republicans already, some of the things that might be considered off limits in ads or debates were not so here. More then one of the introductory speakers made sure to reference Obama with special emphasis on his middle name of Hussein, when talking about who is a better leader. Also there was mentioned that Obama doesn't want to fight terrorists he just wants to be friends with them and sit down to talk, most likely in reference to Obama's willingness to pursue diplomatic negotiations with aggressive foreign leaders, rather then, say, pre-emptive strikes on a foreign nation. Another point, that John McCain himself drove home, was that he knew how to fix the economy and get corrupt businesses in line. He said specifically, "If I was going to ask for advice about how to fix the government, I wouldn't ask a Chicago politician." This was clearly a reference to the corruption and machine politics of the Daley family as mayors of Chicago over the years, yet this is some how a shot at Obama simply because that is his home state and where he spent part of his political career. I found it ironic that McCain would point a weak finger at Obama in terms of government corruption, yet the last major economic crisis that the U.S. was in John McCain was a major actor in the savings and loan scandal in the late 80's and early 90's. My own political leanings aside I thought it was a great rally in that it accomplished its purpose with flying colors. I would not expect any other campaign to be much different and I do not fault the GOP for using rhetoric to create passion among its constituents. Any smart leader would want to get their followers excited for the cause. It is a tried and true formula, push your strengths/opponents weaknesses and minimize your own weaknesses/opponents strengths, all the while wrap these tidbits up in emotional rhetoric and you have got yourself one hell of a party.

Media and Big Brother

When watching media coverage, especially that on television, I have always bee skeptical. After taking numerous Political Science courses this has only helped to reinforce this mindset. Skepticism is simply not taking anything on face value when dealing with the media. Just as we talked about in class, all the significant news in the world can not be reported all the time or by everyone. It basically comes down to a question of who decides which story is pushed and which are put on the back burner. When decisions like this have to be made it forces us to try to understand the person or group that made those decisions. After all television stations are simply part of larger business corporations. When thinking about this I have to remember that major corporations are focused primarily on the bottom line. To maintain and increase profits, choices have to be made that are attractive to advertisers and stockholders, as well as the audience (which decides how much corporations can charge advertisers). There can never be truly different or radical points of view or stories reported because it would upset the balance that is in place for creating revenue. I don't believe in the idea that there is a conspiracy or ideological war behind these choices. It is actually just people that are trying to best work inside a capitalist system. When analyzing news stories a careful eye and follow-up research is whats needed to successfully navigate this political landscape.

Frame of Mind

While watching the various speeches, conventions and political messages this season, its hard not to be somewhat wary. Wary doesn't necessarily have to mean something bad, simply a little different. Speaking generally, both presidential campaigns have tried to frame themselves first and foremost as the peoples' champion. Whether it be through change and new direction or experience and straight talk, each has tried to create a sense authenticity in their arguments and that they are essential if America is to be or remain the "greatest country in the world". I find it interesting that for one of the most polarized and passionate elections in recent history, both campaigns are using almost identical tactics, albeit different messages.