Byrnesys Blabberings

I’ve been observing the presidential and party nominee races with from somewhat more of a distance than the last presidential election during which I was studying American politics.

Firstly I have to say that I am glad that I can sit back here in Scotland and not have to be involved in American Politics, it seems such a messy playground, for Christians in particular, in  a way that it isn’t the UK. That’s not to say UK Politics isn’t a messy playground but there is a much higher rate of political ignorance and apathy in the UK, there is not dream or great nation that anyone is striving to maintain, just the monotony of two parties who are only distinguishable from each other by the side of the house they sit on. Interestingly though, American politics does hold a particular significance for the UK, not just because of its Foreign policy and the proud paternalism the British muster over its sucesses, but the UK media has also been massively influenced by the individualistic celebrity culture of politics which is so prevalent in the US. This has been a shift initiated in the last decade with Tony Blair being in power, The Blairite revolution which brought about new labour  was a seismic shift in the way politics was done with image, advertising, and PR at the fore front of its actions. Of course this was happening way before with consultants like Saachi and Saachi being brought in to ‘transform’ the face of the conservative party, but Tony Blair was the only one who was truly successful in making politics about the individual charismatic candidate instead of down the staunch political party lines which had characterised UK politics before the 90’s.

All that was to say, I continue to take an interest in the political movements of the US because, we feel those changes in the UK too.

Firstly those of you in the US will have to indulge me as I make some abstractionist observations from the other side of the pond. You may even find the opinion of someone who is, to a certain extent, outside the political circus of presidential nominations, caucuses, party conventions and electoral colleges. That being said it is important to recognise that the UK has its own lens, as do its media.

Firstly, the impression of John McCain as the republican candidate is not good, whilst he certainly has some political experience, his age and lack of appeal to the more politically enamoured groups, for example those groups who tirelessly campaigned for Bush will not be the same as those who get out on the streets for McCain. This may not be a bad thing, but it does involve motivating groups of republicans who have been taking a back seat for the last few years to get out and get excited about the prospect of McCain. Second point is his age, whilst clearly he is lucid and energetic this issue is entirely compounded by the democrat Barack Obama’s relative youth, exuberance and general image of freshness and reform. Of course both candidates are attempting to be the face of a new American, the face of an idealist way forward, as are all political figures during this pre-election period, but as a balance to those who are swooned by Obama’s political idealism, it should be noted that in the harsh reality of presidential office the realities of reform are very hard to come by, and an electorate which expects so much is inevitably going to be disappointed.

To briefly return to the McCain ticket, it seems there is great excitement about the selection of his VP running mate Gov. Palin, and quite rightly so, she has certainly transformed the image of the McCain ticket, she is enjoying a honeymoon period after the announcement of her selection which is uniting republican appreciation for the candidate in a way that McCain never could on his own. She is in summary everything he is not, a woman, a strong character, charismatic, and finally the representative of American ideals, she is the Republicans ‘Hilary’. In the same way that I mentioned caution should be taken with Obama’s idealistic vision, I think it is important that Palin should not be seen for more than she is, and that is a republican fireworks display. That is not to say that she doesn’t have valid political capital on which to run, but she has transformed the McCain ticket far beyond the real value of a VP. Whilst Vice-President of the United States is no small job, it should be equally qualified that the VP does very little in the grand scheme of political legacies apart from when taking over should the president not be able to do the job. What I am saying is, Palin may be the answer the republicans have been looking for in promoting their candidates but I don’t think Palin should distract voters from the fact that McCain is a weak ticket, he may be the best available but he is weak all the same.

On the side of the democrats, its been said before, and I believe to be true, they have shot themselves in the foot. The Obama vs Hilary fiasco went on well beyond the time is should’ve, they are both in democratic terms, strong candidates, but they have divided the party to a much deeper level than is helpful for the overall aspirations of the party itself. Many have said that Hilary was selfish to continue campaigning past the point when the majority had concluded she had already lost, I think they might be right. Also, had Hilary stepped down earlier, there is a very real possibility that (had one of them been able to swallow their pride) that a combined ticket might have been just the thing to pick the republicans at the post before they pulled themselves together.

These are my very disconnected thoughts, feel free to correct me and share your own thoughts in the comments, though keep it civil, we can all get too excited about politics, but fighting like its your only hope is idolatry, so lets fix our eyes whilst we discuss politics.