"WHEN FASCISM COMES TO AMERICA IT WILL BE WRAPPED IN THE FLAG
AND CARRYING A CROSS." -SINCLAIR LEWIS

Friday, July 16, 2010

Something Terrifying Someone Else Said

"I'm putting my money on the Palin-ization of politics. Partly this is because the mainstream press is dying anyway, and partly it's because Palin and others are demonstrating that you really don't need conventional press coverage to win. In fact, as Rand Paul and Sharron Angle can testify, it's a real risk. Between YouTube and Twitter and Facebook and blogs and friendly talk radio hosts — as well as more conventional things like TV ads and database-driven phone outreach — who needs the New York Times? Increasingly, I'll bet the answer is, no one." -Kevin Drum, Mother Jones.

I really hope Drum's wrong about this but the technological and cultural trends of late would seem to bear out his hypothesis. The communication tools prospective politicians and their campaigns have access to right now are cheaper, easier to use and reach more people than at any other point in history. Plus a campaign run in this manner would be tailor-made for a Palin candidacy: pithy little sound bites laden with folksy focus grouped talking points written in her name by her staff, punctuated by her occasional foray onto FOX News or conservative talk radio whilst assiduously avoiding any type of actual debate format. I've laughed off the idea of this type of candidacy so far because I've always assumed that the American people wouldn't be fooled by it and that the press wouldn't let her or anyone else get away with it. Of course, both of those groups of people have consistently disappointed me in the past.

(via)

6 comments:

JoMala "Truth 101" Kelly said...

I've had one good idea for a candidate since 2004 JBW. If you don't mind, I may email you sometime later this summer with my thoughts on how to deal with this subject.

I wrote down your "conscience and character" line for office holder qualifications but never had the chance to use it. I'm keeping that one in reserve.

Keep on truckin man...

JoMala "Truth 101" Kelly said...

The terrifying someone else said subject. Not my writers bloc.

JBW said...

I've actually forgotten what I wrote about character and conscience T101 but I hope it was sufficiently brilliant. And my inbox is always open, amigo.

Anonymous said...

I followed the World Cup from work by Googling the teams that were playing and then reading the Twitter scroll for a few seconds.

Embrace it, champ.

JBW said...

I try to embrace new technologies as robustly as possible one L (although I'll admit a particular aversion to Twitter) but if this is the future of politics in America I foresee dire times ahead.

EUROman said...

WOO! Palin in 2012! Keep those dang foreigners away from our babies! Why do you hate America JBW! Show you want to give Christ a chance, meet with Ted Haggard!

Thank you thank you you've been a wonderfull audience Try the veal I'll be here all week and I feel sorry for you cause the next act is Jeff Dunham