Political Theatre category archive

Field looks at recent news reports about polls and sees an ulterior motive suggests taking them a grain or two of salt.

Since broadcast news reporting is no longer considered a loss leader or a public service, but has come to be viewed by broadcast networks as a profit center, indeed, almost as a form of entertainment, rather than as a source of unbiased information, methinks he may have a point.

Here’s a bit from his post:

Democrats are freaking out over some recent polls showing Joe Biden losing to the former guy in five of six key swing states, and being down four points to him in total overall vote count. I have one word for you: Relax. This is the American press pushing for a close race so that they can improve their ratings around election season. Note how much you have been hearing about these polls of late? That is not by accident. They have an agenda.

Aside:

I gave up on broadcast news years ago, except when there’s snow storm. I like pictures of snow storms. But we haven’t had a snow storm in these parts for quite a while.

Also, I didn’t used to be a cynical skeptic. People made me one.

For that matter, I didn’t used to be an avowed Democrat. Republicans made me one.

Sure, Biden is old. For that matter, so am I, but I’m benching 145. I’d bench more, but I work out at home and don’t have a spotter.

What’s left out of the–er–discussion is that Trump is also old. And I’ll give you a dollar to a doughnut that’s he’s not benching 145, or even 14.5.

Well, 145 doughnuts, maybe, but not pounds of free weights.

From where I sit, the whole who-shot-john about Joe Biden’s age is lttle more than a racist dog whistle about Kamela Harris, who was an excellent attorney-general of California and is a decent and upstanding person who happens to be not-white.

And the racist dogs are barking their heads off.

I’m a Southern Boy.

I grew up under Jim Crow.

I know racism when I see it.

Afterthought:

Can you imagine Donald Trump riding a bicycle?

For that matter, can you imagine a bicycle that will hold up under Donald Trump?

Seth takes a closer look at the Republican candidates’ it-was-billed-as-a debate.

Thom marvels at Americans’ susceptibility to the charms of the charlatan.

Rick Santorum says the (Republican) quiet part out loud.

In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tom O’Connor argues rather disturbing precedent for Donald Trump’s patriot gaming.

While on the topic, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gene Collier channels Maya Angelou and says that Trump has shown us who he is.

Via Job’s Anger.

Seth takes a closer look the Trumps’ testimony in New York.

Over at C&L, Frances Langum looks at the polls about next year’s Presidential election and argues that 1) at this point they are of little import and, perhaps more importants, 2) it’s all about ginning up the appearance of a horse race.