Dave's Fiction Warehouse

In which I bloviate about books, TV, movies, politics and other stuff -- all without the aid of ChatGPT!

  • Books
  • Movies
  • TV
  • politics
  • american life
  • Writing
  • Other Stuff

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook

Powered by Genesis

Maybe somebody will throw up

October 2, 2012 by Dave Knadler

Only difference today is the size of the TVs.

To be honest, I haven’t been all that excited about tomorrow night’s debate between Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and that other guy. Last night I told the wife I probably wouldn’t even watch it. After a few months of nonstop attack ads here in Florida, I think I have a pretty good grasp of the talking points.

I mentioned the same thing today to a friend of mine up in Montana. This guy, who makes his living raising cattle and hay, doesn’t like Obama and has no particular fondness for Romney. But he does think this election should be primarily about jobs, so he plans to tune in to see if either man can manage to be specific in that regard. I told him not to hold his breath.

But that’s kind of cynical, isn’t it? I got to thinking about it. This friend, maybe the least political Republican I know, is interested enough to give both candidates a chance to influence his opinion. I don’t know if I’d call him undecided, but he’s the rare voter who might still be swayed by a specific, cogent program — in his case, one that would put unemployed people back to work. I admire people who are able to keep an open mind. Maybe I should too.

Then again: Nah. I think he’ll be disappointed tomorrow night. Specifics are the death of presidential campaigns and extremely risky in televised debates. The art of campaigning is the art of obfuscation. What pleases one voter will piss off another, so it’s best to speak in meaningless generalities about American greatness, and to do it with such conviction that only later will people realize you haven’t said anything at all.

Again with the cynicism. Sorry. I will watch the debates after all, just so we’ll all have something to talk about. But for me it’ll be like watching NASCAR — I’m only there for the wrecks.

More along these lines:

  • Bad business
  • Who’s got a lighter?Who’s got a lighter?
  • look who's back coverHeil, Hitler
  • If I had a million dollars
  • huma and anthony weinerNothing a name change won’t fix

Filed Under: american life, politics

Comments

  1. Joan says

    October 2, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    I can’t believe that there are many among us as open-minded as your Montana friend. Most of us reached a decision long ago. But we will watch the debates as if they were football games: we’ll cheer for our team and trash-talk about the other side! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

  2. Paula says

    October 2, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I make it a point to watch all the debates, and all presidential speeches, so that when people start writing or arguing about it, I know just exactly what was said.

Recent posts

  • Full frontal Florida
  • Later, alligator
  • A writer on top
    of the short-story game
  • ‘The Passenger’
    will please refrain
  • Floaters in the stream

Recent comments

  • Rachel Kohl on Later, alligator
  • Dave Knadler on Later, alligator
  • John H. on Later, alligator
  • Dave Knadler on Later, alligator
  • Erin Murphy on Later, alligator

FInd something

send dave cash

The obligatory PayPal donation button. Go ahead: Make my day.