Miss Kolka

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Democrats, be emotional! | 09 août 2007

Always been interested in american politics, and soon we will be facing another presidential campaign in the US.

Read this really interesting article in the Guardian - about how democrat candidates in the last 30 years (or since the Kennedy years) have failed to appeal to voters' hearts. They've used reasoning instead of emotional arguments to win voters over - or rather scare them away,while republicans are very good at having simple but effective messages.

The only one to have understood the importance of beeing emotional was Bill Clinton (or his advisors) and we all know what happened. He got elected. However his former vice-president, Al gore failed in 2000 - although many argue that his program was better than of his opponent, George W. Bush. In a crucial debate between the two, Gore failed to answer personal attacks from Bush - were Bush made fun of him and attacked his character while referring to an alleged fundraising scandal. According to the writer in the guardian, this was the downfall of Gore.

This is what Gore answered:

Gore: "I think we ought to attack our country's problems, not attack each other. I want to spend my time making this country even better than it is, not trying to make you out to be a bad person. You may want to focus on scandal. I want to focus on results..."

Bush found a weak spot and continued:

Bush: "You know, this man has no credibility on the issue. As a matter of fact, I read in the New York Times, where he said he co-sponsored the McCain-Feingold campaign fund-raising bill. But he wasn't in the Senate with Senator Feingold ... "

Gore: "Look, Governor Bush, you have attacked my character and credibility and I am not going to respond in kind."

Perhaps an answer like the following would have been more appropriate - especially if Gore wanted to appeal to those southern voters - that consider a failure to respond to a personal attack just a weakness.

Gore could have answered:

"Governor, you see those two young women sitting there in the front row? Those are my daughters. And that woman sitting next to them? That's my wife. And the woman next to her - that's my mother.

You have attacked my honour and integrity in front of my family, the people of my home state of Tennessee, and millions of my fellow Americans. So I think it's time to teach you a few old-fashioned lessons about character.

When I enlisted to fight in the Vietnam war, you were talkin' real tough about Vietnam. But when you got the call, you called your daddy and begged him to pull some strings so you wouldn't have to go to war. So instead of defending your country with honour, you put some poor Texas mill worker's kid on the front line in your place to get shot at.

Where I come from, we call that a coward.

When I was working hard, raising my family, you were busy drinking yourself and your family into the ground. And not just in your own home, setting a terrible example for your kids. Why don't you tell us how many times you got behind the wheel of a car with a few drinks under your belt, endangering your neighbours' kids?

Where I come from, we call that a drunk.

When I was serving in the United States Senate, your own father's government had to investigate you on the charge that you had swindled a bunch of old people out of their life savings by using insider knowledge to sell off stocks you knew were about to drop. And you know who bought those stocks? The people right out there in America who are listening right now, looking you right in the eye.

Where I come from back home, we call that crooked.

When you were in a tight primary battle with John McCain in South Carolina this year, people started getting these phone calls telling them he had sired a black baby. Yes, Governor, that baby did have dark skin - because Senator McCain and his wife had adopted that child from Bangladesh. And funny, something similar happened the last time you were in a tight race, running for governor of Texas against Ann Richards, when suddenly rumours started flying that she was a lesbian.

Where I come from, we call someone who does those kinds of things a disgrace to his family, his state, and his country.

So, Governor, don't you ever lecture me about character. And don't you ever talk about me that way again in front of my family or my fellow citizens."

That would have sent a strong message. Being too diplomatic and refuse to point fingers is not necessarily good - people want strong presidents that can stand up for themselves.

Lets hope the democrats are better in communication this time around - Hillary with the experience of her husband might have a good chance... that is if the "obvious" problem of being a woman will not get in the way.

Publié par Kolka à 12:00:40 dans Miss Kolka | Commentaires (0) | Permaliens