Today its September 28th and i've decided that i've waited long enough...it's time to get political. Now I'm not going to give you my diatribe or stump speech as to who I'm voting for, rather I think I'd simply like to discuss the "game" of politics that I see being played on the national landscape.
Let's talk political ADs...nothing more, just ADs...
This year's presidential race has had more negative campaigns than I can remember in my short, 10 year stint, of voter-ship. I've always been of the persuasion that if you tell someone what you stand FOR, you build true fans, support, and create great movement. However, when you run a trash campaign AGAINST someone else, you run a shallow campaign full of questions, possible slander/libel, and risk.
In the past 4 days I've received 3 mailers from the democratic party, listing all of McCain's supposed failures, political history, lack of internet knowledge, even one dedicated to the fact that he owns a $500 pair of loafers. Now I'm no political strategist, but $500 loafers? Whether he owns them or not, if someone votes against a candidate for that reason is shallow and pathetic. But what's even more pathetic is that campaign dollars (millions of dollars) are being spent running this trash. Leadership role #1 is stewardship...hmmm.
McCain isn't innocent of running these ads either, but in the past month (since he's named Gov. Palin as VP), his campaign has moved to the positive. Rather than trash Obama's experience or shady political dealings, he's focused on naming the things that he stands for and will work to accomplish - even if its not popular (like a spending freeze in light of the 700 billion dollar bailout - a novel idea...not spending money that you don't have).
Imagine for a couple minutes that YOU are running a campaign to persuade the majority of any given group to pick you as "most favorable." You can spend your time, energy, and money 1 of 2 ways. 1, you can tell people why you are the most favorable, what you've done in your past, what you believe of the future, etc. OR, #2, you can put other people down, run ad after ad with ominous music running facts like, "candidate X spent $4000 on a espresso machine...," and in the end hope that in light of candidate X's bad press, that you'll be the name with less dirt attached. Well, I just don't buy that. I don't think negativity is healthy, and I don't think it determines voter turnout. People want to vote FOR something. And simply saying you are the face of change doesn't mean you actually have a plan for what that change looks like. Change, how, what, when, how much, who (or is it whom?)...I don't know, because you've never told me.
What I do know, though, is that McCain spends too much on shoes, that he's old, and he struggles to google just about anything. I'm sorry, but that won't get me to the polls. And frankly, I think Obama's campaign does offer some great stuff for this country, but unfortunately we'll never know.
I hope that voters go to the booths with a list in their minds of what they're voting for, what policies will best suit their communities and the world, what leadership style they believe in, and most of all trust in their candidates character.
Between now and the election do your best to get out the positives, the stuff that makes you want to vote FOR one of these guys, and spread that word! If you're an Obama fan, tell everyone what change is good, what it will mean for the future, and how his plan for America is best. If you're a McCain fan, tell your friends why you think he's the guy to put the country first. If they won't do it, you be the ADs.
So vote for whomever you wish, just promise me 1 thing, vote FOR a candidate, not AGAINST one.
-Ross
No question what Illinois governor, Rod Blogovich, did was wrong, bad, and he should probably be in a prison cell for some time.
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