Friday, July 20, 2007
Once Upon A Time: A Political Fairy Tale
Once upon a time; presidential hopefuls floated their names as potential candidates, set up accounts structured by laws created by professional politicians that allowed them to raise money while still not officially running and went out on the circuit to milk those seeking to influence government. It was a system perfectly designed for professional politicians who had the inside tract on how things work.
Then came the lead up to the ‘08 campaign season. The usual suspects and the presumptive candidates (that is to say, those promoted by the media) began establishing their fake “I’m thinking about running” committees. They are not really committees but the illusion is that a group is trying to convince a politician to run for office. Now news people need something to talk about lest the public think nothing is happening and fail to tune in. So, a few overly zealous MSM-types started to push Barack Obama as a rival to Hillary. My guess is that they did not want Hillary to run away with the Democrat nomination or there would be no story until the general election.
Ah, but the law of unintended consequences raised its ugly head and the inexperienced Obama leaped into the arena prematurely. That is to say, he formally announced long before traditional pundits thought prudent. You see, the game is to draw out your announcement as long as possible and even make several pre-announcement announcements. That gives the MSM something to cover without actual coving anything. Unfortunately for the other candidates, including Hillary, the early jump by Obama forced their hands making it necessary that they announce or lose potential money.
Then came the collective yawn. It seems the public was less than enthused with any of the candidates. Those conservatives interested in politics on a yearly cycle, unlike the average American who only pays attention one or two months every two or four years, looked around for someone better matching their views on the issues. Somewhere long the way they found Fred Dalton Thompson.
But, Fred is not playing by the rules. Announce, they cry. Be the conventional candidate, they tell him. Yeah, ask Mitt Romney and Rudy Gulliani how that’s working out for them.
Then came the lead up to the ‘08 campaign season. The usual suspects and the presumptive candidates (that is to say, those promoted by the media) began establishing their fake “I’m thinking about running” committees. They are not really committees but the illusion is that a group is trying to convince a politician to run for office. Now news people need something to talk about lest the public think nothing is happening and fail to tune in. So, a few overly zealous MSM-types started to push Barack Obama as a rival to Hillary. My guess is that they did not want Hillary to run away with the Democrat nomination or there would be no story until the general election.
Ah, but the law of unintended consequences raised its ugly head and the inexperienced Obama leaped into the arena prematurely. That is to say, he formally announced long before traditional pundits thought prudent. You see, the game is to draw out your announcement as long as possible and even make several pre-announcement announcements. That gives the MSM something to cover without actual coving anything. Unfortunately for the other candidates, including Hillary, the early jump by Obama forced their hands making it necessary that they announce or lose potential money.
Then came the collective yawn. It seems the public was less than enthused with any of the candidates. Those conservatives interested in politics on a yearly cycle, unlike the average American who only pays attention one or two months every two or four years, looked around for someone better matching their views on the issues. Somewhere long the way they found Fred Dalton Thompson.
But, Fred is not playing by the rules. Announce, they cry. Be the conventional candidate, they tell him. Yeah, ask Mitt Romney and Rudy Gulliani how that’s working out for them.
