President Homer J. Simpson?
It can't be getting that bad, can it?
Can it? National Journal's William Powers is worried. He thinks we're rapidly approaching such a political Jump The (Sound Bite) Shark moment, where content is truly secondary. Here's an excerpt from his column:
Half a century ago, sociologist David Riesman noted that in a mass media age, journalists tend to be cheerleaders for political candidates who have the charisma of entertainers….It's true that many media reports keep insisting that the Republicans are struggling to find a charismatic leader – thus the daily columns about Fred Thompson's belly flops (despite his polling numbers saying otherwise) -- while other reports show the Democratic men trying to stand in the way of the runaway Hillary train (with its attendant cackles and cleavage subplots). But is it only charisma and media savvy that attract voters?It's truer than ever today. Early on in this week's Republican debate, CNBC's Maria Bartiromo asked Mitt Romney about the economic woes in Michigan, where the debate took place. Romney saw his opening and got off a Reaganesque quip about the state's Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm. "I was frankly a little nervous about being here tonight," he said in his eerily smooth game-show-host way. "I figured she was going to put a tax on the debate before we got finished."
The joke got a big laugh, and the camera shifted to Bartiromo … She was smiling warmly and throwing co-host Chris Matthews a look that seemed to say, "Ten points for Mitt, eh?"
Later, in the debate's so-called Lightning Round (hmm, maybe it really is all a game show) Romney scored again when he compared the debates to candidate Fred Thompson's former TV show, Law and Order. As the audience roared, the camera went to Thompson for his comeback: "And to think I thought I was going to be the best actor on the stage."
Aren't there, you know, things like issues and beliefs and what-not? Or was "The Simpsons" far too prescient when it ran crackpot Homer Simpson against experienced and knowledgeable Ray Patterson for Sanitation Commissioner in a campaign based solely on "crazy promises" and wisecracks? (Watch the video and you tell me.)
I know that for most Americans we're still way way far off from electing a new President – it's not technically for thirteen months, right? – and therefore these little sideshows don't really matter. But the truth is, we're actually only 10-12 weeks away – maybe even early December, as today's Washington Post reports — from the political winnowing process beginning. And we'll be down to two candidates before you know it, as the momentum from early primaries surges frontrunner(s) ahead of the pack.
So while it feels a tad like asking you to be sure to finish off those brussels sprouts, this writer suggests that you take a look at one of the upcoming debates – there's plenty to choose from.
Whether you're left, right, center or some other spot on the spectrum, take the time to watch the/your candidates and make up your own mind, sidestepping the quips that get the most cable airtime in the days afterwards. (Go ahead and make it interactive, if you must.)
I don't care if your Ray Patterson is a Democrat, a Republican or a third party entrant to be named later, let's all just steer clear of President Simpson.