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Welcome to the lowest common denominator election
October 22, 2012
EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 22,2012/ Troy Media/ – Tonight’s debate in the U.S. Presidential election between President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who are neck and neck in the polls, is ostensibly focused on foreign policy. But it is very likely that the combatants will introduce the need for the U.S. to be economically strong if it is to occupy its ‘rightful’ (sic) place in the world.
Unfortunately, Romney has no credible idea for the future of the U.S. economy. His ‘five point plan’ is actually a single point: if he is elected, confidence will return to the markets which, in turn, will lead to job creation. He actually said this at one time. Romney believes in the confidence fairy.
As for Obama, he has offered no serious vision for his second and final term. He is also not being helped by Vice President Joe Biden’s rhetoric, flamboyance and arrogance, which are getting in the way of a serious campaign based on policies, issues and evidence-based thinking.
We are witnessing a lowest common denominator election in which less than half of those eligible to vote will do so, which makes getting the vote out a real key challenge for both parties. In swing states, it’s the base that will make the difference, not the swing voters.
(As a side issue, what is it that a swing voter is now waiting for? Some flash of inspiration from Romney – like a policy that is based on a serious working out of the numbers and impacts? A new strategy from Obama for working effectively with both side of the house? A new agreement on health care? I can’t imagine what it is that is keeping them from deciding or what either candidate can do to ‘bring them onside’).
With two weeks to go until election day and the ‘fiscal cliff’ – the automatic ending of tax cuts and automatic cuts to budgets – looming at the end of the year, neither party is engaged in a serious, meaningful economic analysis and policy proposals. The Romney-Paul rhetoric is just that – rhetoric, based on skillful deception and downright lies. Obama is simply suggesting more of the same. The U.S. is in trouble. Neither of these candidates is offering a strategy for its future that is credible, and this should be of concern to all.
The next two weeks will be frenetic. The candidates will dash hither and thither trying to look convincing, trying to appear resolute and clear and trying to persuade the voters to first go to the poll and then select their ‘dancing with their future’ star. This is more of a Hello magazine campaign – about style – rather than about substance.
There is a lot of talk in the U.S. about American exceptionalism. What is exceptional about this election is its lack of substance and its pursuit of ignorance.
American politics is broken. We are watching the shards of politics fracture in front of the electorate. It will get worse before it gets better.
This column is FREE to use on your websites or in your publications. However, Troy Media, with a link to its web site, MUST be credited.
© Troy Media
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