Sunday, February 21, 2016

The Year Long US Presidential Campaign

English: Oval Office ceiling medallion. França...
English: Oval Office ceiling medallion. Français : Le médaillon représentant le sceau présidentiel sur le plafond du bureau ovale. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The year long US presidential campaign is not just about electing a man or woman for the Oval Office. That it is. But it is primarily about moving the conversation along on various issues. America is a democracy. The people have to want it before change can happen. And the conversation moves much faster during an election year than during regular congressional years. Except when there is a major event, the year long campaign is when the American people thrash it out. Eventually there is a winner, but everybody who wants to speak is heard along the way.

It is quite a spectacle. And for America being what is it, for good or ill the number one country right now, I think mostly for good, I'd compare the presidential election to World Cup Soccer. Well, not quite. World Cup is World Cup. But you know what I mean.

The handover of power to the most powerful political office on the planet is so peaceful, it is mind blowing.

You see colorful characters. But every candidate is trying to resonate with somebody, with this or that group. The talk is not in a vacuum.

There is a robust debate going on in the Democratic Party. The Republicans tend to be more obedient. They collect around a leader pretty fast. On the Republican side I can't think of one earth shaking idea that has been proposed. It is more about this vague feeling.

Bernie, on the other hand, is looking at some major proposals. And Hillary is a policy wonk. To Donald's credit though, he did challenge the Pope and George W Bush. The guy is a bull in a china shop.

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