August 18, 2004

All of politics is a stage; politicians, only players
Posted by Jon Henke

Oliver Willis seems to have recently discovered that political campaigns are staged events....

Just confirming Bush's place as the most partisan president ever.

Ticket ripped because of sticker

Kathryn Mead wanted to see her first sitting president when George W. Bush visited the city.

Instead, Bush campaign staffers tore up the 55-year-old social studies teacher's ticket and refused her admission because she sported a small sticker on her blouse that touted the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards.I'm sure she's always welcome [at a Kerry rally]

Look, I'm perfectly aware that Oliver is just doing his partisan duty, but are we really still pretending that political campaigns are not stage-managed commercials, masquerading as Reality Politics?

Well, apparently, Oliver is...though it's hard to tell if he really believes it, or if he's just throwing red meat to the faithful. (Is it relevant/compromising that he's paid to do that? Your call)

He is right, though, that Kathryn Mead would be welcome at a Kerry campaign rally. In fact, Kerry might even show up on her front porch.....so long as she doesn't live on the wrong (read: Republican) side of the tracks.

Ms. Imponen, 24, had instantly agreed when Mr. Kerry's aides knocked late Wednesday afternoon asking to borrow her backyard for an event just 40 hours in the future; she even said they could chop down a couple of trees to improve the view.

But after asking how the sun falls and canvassing Ms. Imponen's neighbors on A Street, a campaign worker called Thursday morning to say no thanks. "She said there were too many registered Republicans," sighed the would-have-been hostess.

Hey, I wish candidates were exposed to tough questions and dissent more often, too. I wish a lot of things, but I prefer not to sacrifice intellectual honesty to score cheap political points off them.

Note: Oliver is right about Alan Keyes, though, citing an Economist article which explains how "Keyes is an insult to black Americans by the GOP".

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Comments

Whenever you refer to something Oliver has written, you should remember to refer to him as a Soros-funded hack. Atrios also.

Of course, if you don't, I'll be happy to continue to point that fact out :)

Posted by: shark at August 18, 2004 08:57 AM

Howzabout this Keyes howler?

"I deeply resent the destruction of federalism represented by Hillary Clinton's willingness to go into a state she doesn't even live in and pretend to represent people there, so I certainly wouldn't imitate it... I do not take for granted that it's a good idea to parachute into a state and go into a Senate race. As a matter of principle, I don't think it's a good idea."
Something about sauce for the goose comes to mind here.

Posted by: D at August 18, 2004 09:02 AM

You have to admit the whole Keyes deal is pretty weak.

Posted by: sasqwa at August 18, 2004 02:11 PM

The Keyes thing is a bit hypocritical. He's really eating his words right now. But in the context of the situation, its not exactly the same thing Hilary did. Clinton kind of dug into NY. I say that in the sense that she had her sights on it for a while, and the whole deal was premeditated. She left Washington DC and immediately started campaigning for a seat in NY. Keyes on the otherhand, didn't set out on a similar quest. The GOP candidate for Illinois, Ryan, dropped out. The Illinois GOP tried to find a good candidate in-state. They even asked Da Bears Guy Ditka to run. Keyes was something of a last resort. Personally, I'd love it if Keyes won, just because it would be pretty damaging to the morale of the Dem party.

Guy 1: "Who would win in a fight? Ditka, or a hurricane?"

G2-4, in succession: "Ditka."

G1: "What if the hurricane's name was Ditka?"

G2: "Ooooooh...Ditka."

G3: "Ditka"

G4: "Ditka"

G1: "OK, who would in in a fight: Ditka, or God?"

G2: "Uh.....Ditka"

G3: "Ditka"

G4: "Ditka"

G1: "Trick question...Ditka is God!"

Gotta love the old days of SNL

Posted by: Chris at August 18, 2004 03:35 PM

Willis needs to keep in mind that there are plenty of insults to black Americans foisted on us by the Dems as well. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson (rather, what Jesse has become), etc.

This isn't meant to be an excuse for Keyes or the RNC, however. Just that there are many embarassments out there, but many don't get called on it.

Posted by: Chrees at August 18, 2004 04:51 PM