We Deserve What We Get

As Sarah Palin’s book “Going Rogue” is released this week —and she makes the rounds on the talk show circuit, I am reminded of a belief that is held by many (I think) and yet shared by few:

Namely, the American electorate is largely ignorant.

Not stupid, necessarily, not dumb, just largely uninformed and prone to pulling the lever for the person or persons who have penetrated their consciousness by whatever means necessary to achieve recognition.

Sarah Palin just happens to be the flavor of the month. From almost total obscurity (despite being elected the governor of a state) to “rock star” status, she is the product of the media’s 2008 fascination with the “new”-and is now being touted as the next possible Republican nominee for President in 2012. Here is a compilation of Sarah’s Greatest Hits from the LAST campaign:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrzXLYA_e6E

Trust me, I could dig this stuff up for Democrats or Republicans---- it is NOT about partisan politics.

It’s ALL about name recognition. The game begins and ends with this elusive target goal.

Pierce their awareness with who you are—and that is electoral gold, regardless of your qualifications.

I admit that it is arrogant to say this. No politician would contemplate uttering such words, even if they secretly believe the masses are like cattle-largely unaware of their surroundings and susceptible to a prod in one direction or another. Again, this is not a partisan attack, it’s just reality.

Part of the problem is not really our fault. Issues tend to be complex—and the media reduces everything to sound bites, one-liners and “zingers”. We Americans are busy. We simply don’t have time to evaluate the nuances of any one person’s stand on a variety of issues—especially after driven through the filter of a media outlet that may be biased. It’s often hard to know just who is telling the truth.

So, what’s a voter to do?

Well, we do what’s been done for most of our history— we gravitate to emotional “gut” feelings about the “type of person” we want to serve us. It has nothing to do with competence. It is “perceived ability”—based almost exclusively on EMOTION.

This used to mean that former generals like Ulysses S Grant and Dwight Eisenhower, clearly competent in their wartime leadership roles—would be tapped to move into the Oval Office. Even a young PT boat commander with little legislative experience can arrange to get elected. Nothing against John F. Kennedy, but most historians agree that the TV debate between JFK and Nixon sealed the fate of the 1960 election.

Why?

Nixon refused the TV makeup before the telecast. As a result, he looked pasty and ill. Kennedy appeared tanned and relaxed. How would history have changed if the makeup artist had convinced Nixon to wear a cosmetic foundation for the camera in that razor-thin election?

Nowadays, the name recognition doesn’t need to come from leadership in a field where the skill set would transfer seamlessly to legislative expertise. It can come from ANYWHERE—and does.

Check out this list of politicians and their former careers:

Ronald Reagan-actor—Personally, I think he was a terrific President. He was involved
Republican politics after working tirelessly in a similar fashion
for the Screen Actor’s Guild. Still, his fame (and his name
recognition was from movies/TV)

Sonny Bono-singer—(sung to the tune of “I Got You Babe”) “They say he’s young and
he don’t know, won’t find out until he grows”

Jesse Ventura-Wrestler-did to Minnesota voters the electoral equivalent to hitting your
opponent over the head with a folding chair.

Al Frankin-Comedian—Minnesota does it again, but then, he’s good enough, he’s smart
enough, and dagnabit, people like him.

Arnold Schwarzenegger-actor—“Terminated” the fiscal viability of California

Jack Kemp—Football player-He played for Buffalo, so even Congress was a step up

Fred Grandy-Actor—Parlayed a role on “The Love Boat” into a Congressional seat..
allrighty then..


Of course, this is just a partial list, but you get the idea. Making yourself KNOWN is clearly Job 1—and then if you can muster up the mere appearance of someone who won’t screw things up too badly, you’ve got a great chance against a lesser-known (but perhaps more qualified) opponent.

Oprah could probably get elected President.

Bill Clinton’s saxophone-toting appearance on Arsenio Hall elevated his stature in his first race for the White House. After all, why couldn’t he lead the free world? He can play the SAXOPHONE, for God’s sake!

And George Bush had that homey appeal of a guy you’d like to have a beer with. If that doesn’t qualify you for the job, I don’t know what does!

How about we ditch the notion of glamour and Hollywood credentials in our leaders? How about we settle for good old-fashioned COMPETENCE? Be articulate enough to know how to communicate, be smart enough to understand the issues—and then go forth with your views on your sleeve. Speak in plain English and we’ll decide if we like what we hear.

Perhaps we should turn the tables on our own tendencies to gravitate to the known. I realize the old saying is dominant, the “devil you know is better than the devil you don’t”…..

Or is it?

Let’s try politicians brave enough to risk alienating us with views that are spoken plainly and not susceptible to misinterpretation by a media always looking for a gaffe.

If it is clowns, boobs, idiots and crooks that we send to represent us, it is therefore precisely what we deserve—only because we haven’t taken the time and effort to demand better.

If you’d like my weekday blog in your box, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com