Election ’08: Throwing out Bush and the Bathwater; Keeping the Baby
Watching America has a superb article from the Le Monde Diplomatique, “Scheherazade in the White House”, inspired from a quote from a Presidential Adviser in 2002,
‘We’re an empire and when we act, we create our own reality’.
(Gulp.)
The piece covers the Bush Administration’s attempts to manage the appearance of things in a way that presents a “reality” that is not real.
It’s a great article on how image can be manipulated to tell a particular story, and is a colorful synopsis of such instances since 9/11. It gives such details as how the US army spokesman, General Tommy Franks, addressed journalists in front of a $200,000 background produced by a former Disney and Metro Goldwyn Mayer designer, and how the Pentagon recruited David Blaine, the famed illusionist, for interior design.
You couldn’t make it up.
But most interestingly, the article inadvertently reveals something that the USA must be very careful of as it approaches the Presidential elections.
In the light of failures in the last six or seven years, the phrase, “We’re an empire and when we act, we create our own reality”, now may seem arrogant and even threatening. But the latter part of the sentiment, “We create our own reality”, is true. And anyone of the caliber required to lead the World’s leading nation must know it in every cell of their body: the fact that this particular metaphysical claim may have been abused for a few years makes it neither false nor useless.
There is always a place – more, a need – for a vision of what reality should be, and for imprinting that vision, as responsibly as possible of course, upon the world, rather than just reacting to what is going on around us, however accurately and honestly we may observe it.
Indeed, being able to envision and implement in this way is almost a definition of political leadership. This will be especially true following the ’08 election when, according to polls, the new President will have plenty of damage to repair. It appears that Obama’s gospel of “audacious hope” is based on this idea; and Edwards has been strongly and consistently defining his brave all-people-first reality ever since his run with Kerry. Conversely, it is perhaps the very political, one might say overly-considered, tenor of Clinton, that plays out whenever she loses ground. Hilary: paint us a picture of America eight years from now.
A “bad” created reality must be answered by the creation of a better one – and not by the disclaiming of any power to create.
People liked Bush’s clarity and confidence simply because people like clarity and confidence – and not because the Republican wing of the Republican party has a particular penchant for these qualities. What of Bush’s character worked for him in ’00 and ’04 will work just as well for the winner in ’08 – however different his or her vision will be.
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3 Responses to “Election ’08: Throwing out Bush and the Bathwater; Keeping the Baby”
The big question next year (with liberals here and elsewhere ready to gloat and laugh): Will or will not Bush endorse GOP candidates and be invited to appearances with them to speak on their behalf?
Liberals overdo this ridiculously but the fact is freely admitted and the 2006 election results and popular views of the 2008 elections reflect it.
Bush knows all about the importance of maintaining his image and as you said, “People liked Bush’s clarity and confidence simply because people like clarity and confidence…”. When Bush speaks he gets it right, whether it’s rebuilding New Orleans, the Clear Skies Act, the Clean Forest Act, or taking the fight to the terrorists so they don’t come here to attack us.
It’s really like our parents acted when we were kids and hurt ourselves: when we went running to them with our injury they would say, “You’ll be fine.” Or some other comfort and guess what? They were right- we were fine and life went on. The reality is the same with our leaders: we do want someone to tell us everything will be fine, even if we don’t believe it all the time. We want someone who sounds like they have a plan or at least knows the outcome. How many of us would vote for a President who stood up and said, “Vote for me. I don’t know if we can solve this problem (pick a problem) but I swear to you I”ll do my best”? He wouldn’t get my vote.
But Bush’s actions are totally opposite of what he says. New Orleans is still a mess several years after it was flooded, the Clear Skies, Clean Forest Acts are more about protecting the right of corporate interests than protecting the environment and Bush started off fighting the terrorists where they were- in Afghanistan, but quickly turned his sights on a country that neither harbored terrorists nor posed a threat to the US. And the list goes on. Not to mention all the partisanship Bush has injected into politics, “You’re either with us or against us.” Bush has tried to create a reality where his fondest desires (the country is in great shape, the war is going well and I’m the best Prez ever, even if it takes future historians to acknowledge the fact) are actually first and foremost in the minds of the population and – if you repeat them often enough – are true because you believe.
Bush in college was a cheerleader and that is what he does best- projecting a positive image and keeping spirits up while the coach and team study the problems and come up with winning solutions. Unfortunately Bush believes the role of the Republicans is to cast him (as head cheerleader) in the best possible light and that means installing team players in his Admin. The real problems are not tackled by real men who can stand up to Bush and give him honest assessments of the problems. Bush only hears what he wants to hear, which is whatever assessment it will take to keep his good image up.
Of course this isn’t the way to run a government or a country (mush less a democracy) and so we see Bush’s approval ratings the lowest of any President (tied with Nixon’s).
In order to create a “good reality” Bush has to cast doubt on anything that puts him in a harsh light. And when questioned about it, he can say that he has a plan and present it in the most positive way- even if it is misleading.
I’ll be the first to say that when Bush stands up and says he’s going to fight the terrorists I’m right there with him. But when he starts taking actions that undermine the country’s constitution and are more about keeping himself/Reps. in power (or covering up his dirty deeds), and turning citizens against each other then he does not deserve to be leader of this country.
Bill Clinton recently said that he was against the war in Iraq back in 2002. Well that contradicts his statements at the time, but Clinton has created a new reality. Even though what Bill Clinton recently said there will now be some people who believe that he was against the war back then. So it’s not only Bush who does it- I believe that all politicians do it. However Bush, Cheney, Rove & Co. have taken it to new heights (or lows as the case may be) and use this reality building all the time and for their own benefit at the expense of the country.