You'd think we'd all be proud; so many different candidates, so many different genders and ethnicities. And yet, despite all of the diversity present in these Presidential debates, when these prestigious politicians open their mouths, conformity is painfully evident. The look of these debates proves more deceiving than empowering.
Don't get me wrong - between Republican and Democrat there are certainly rifts, such as the war and health care. It is within these parties that the record player sings - looping over and over again, debate after debate, interview after interview - the potential futures of America repeating rehearsed solutions and policies.
In the most recent democratic debate, candidate Barack Obama took a step back from his much-praised idealistic ways and failed to answer questions, so much as to reiterate them and bridge whatever was asked into his platform on bringing home the troops while maintaining security in Iraq until all of our boys are home. Unfortunately, this seemingly logical procedure sounds like a cop-out; another version of democratic weakness in the face of important, immediate decisions.
Hillary Clinton was similar in her approach, if slightly more vague on exiting, as if to cover up the ugly truth: she actually wants to maintain a presence in Iraq, a policy that would not be all that surprising, citing her war-hawkish, pro-Israel ideals.
Meanwhile, John Edwards echoed Obama's position, declaring that, as the hypothetical President, he would be unable to promise a complete pullout of Iraq by 2013. Instead of a reassuring answer for the many disheartened citizens watching, Edwards simply smiled and compromised, once again banking on his Southern gentleman-ness to be enough to win over a crowd.
As for the Republicans, it sadly seems like more of the same. Despite his moderate track record, Rudy Giuliani has spent the last year proving to his fellow conservatives that he enjoys bloodshed as much as they do: tax cuts, as well.
The one thing in the man's past he chooses to address is his "amazing" handling of 9/11 - assuming the American people define amazing as walking around the rubble and spouting overly patriotic, insubstantial speeches, acting tough and ignoring real problems: chemical pollution in and around Ground Zero, or the actual identities of those who committed the infamous terrorist bombings he so vigilantly continues to speak about.
And let's not forget Fred Thompson, sporting a lazy Southern drawl to go along with his lazy campaign policy. At the most recent Republican debate, the good politician took his sweet, ol' time to answer - or rather skirt around - a question. When asked about the economy, Thompson boasted about the "booming" economy our great country was experiencing, ignoring the recent and unexpected loss of over 4,000 jobs over the summer. Likewise, Giuliani spoke about the importance of free markets, never going in depth into how to facilitate a potential recession.
Concerning health care, both republicans and democrats walk the political tightrope. In general, the republicans defend corporations and our current health care system, while the democrats avoid calling out said corporations, instead talking about finding a way to give everyone health care. Yet the democrats never fully discuss how to achieve this in such a capitalistic society. Whatever gusto Mrs. Clinton sported in terms of health care as First Lady, has been lost, overshadowed by lobbyists and her national image.
What makes this all so disheartening is that it feels like a time for change. Are we all so blind by our brand-name shirts and iPods that we can let it all pass us by? What we are hearing in these debates is nothing new, nothing fresh.
When John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert ran for office, they used their charm and presence as a jump-off point for unbridled ambition, speaking to a nation desperate for change.
But perhaps criticizing the candidates is wrong. Maybe the reason Edwards uses his charm simply for gloss is because that's all we see anymore. Perhaps desperate times no longer call for desperate measures, but rather a Sidekick, or a pair of new shoes.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
