There has been plenty said about Donald Trump, and rightly so. There has been plenty said about Hillary Clinton, and rightly so. Each has said things about the other’s fitness to be President, and rightly so. Virtually none of this banter, however, has anything to do with any of the actual issues facing this country or its economy.
Mud-slinging has been an integral part of politics from its inception. There are articles from the 1800’s condemning the tactic. It will never stop. We can live with it and, to be honest, it makes good television. But, while devotees from the respective parties decide who the two candidates will be and do most of the mud-slinging, moderates decide who will become president.
Historically, we moderates have lived with it, in moderation of course. At some point along the way, the candidates will actually debate and I assume, but kinda doubt, will speak on actual issues. Elections have never been won or lost based on the issues. They are won or lost based on intangible things that ordinary people are comfortable evaluating. Does this candidate have the ability to speak to ME, strength of character, empathy for MY situation, some degree of integrity, and, perhaps most important, the type of leadership skills we need to run the country and lead the world?
In my experience, if a candidate that satisfies the most of those metrics wins. Apparently the populace feels that the issues will resolve themselves. This year, perhaps more than any I can remember, fitness for the office is a legitimate question as to both candidates.
That being said, I am concerned that this year there will be virtually no constructive discussion about the issues facing this country, its economy and the world. Donald and Hillary, and their respective camps, seem bent on lambasting the other on those personal characteristics mentioned above.
More depressing is that the pundits are also ignoring the “issues.” Shows traditionally about interesting topics effecting the country or the world are now about who said what about whom and how it will effect them in the polls. Perhaps that make sense, especially this year. TV is still about ratings.
I am just not sure I want to spend the rest of the summer and fall listening to it over and over. I like intelligent, or at least semi-intelligent debate on issues.
I wonder if TMV will be the only place to find that this year?
Author of five novels available on Amazon, numerous articles and other commentary.