Jessica

Vozel

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March 10, 2008

America’s Angry Campaign: Is This How a World Leader Acts?

With Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton battling their way to the Democratic National Convention, whatever politeness there was in American politics is diminishing. Perhaps the two have never really coexisted, but this week brought exceptionally scathing and controversial remarks from both the Clinton and Obama camps, as well as from conservatives in the media and in Congress.

If this is any hint as to what the months leading to the DNC and general election after that will be like, we have quite a bumpy road before us. 

Samantha Power, former foreign policy aide to Obama, labeled Sen. Clinton a “monster” in what she describes as a “weak moment,” and consequently resigned from Obama’s campaign. Clinton spokesperson Howard Wolfson compared Sen. Obama to Kenneth Starr because he accused Clinton of waffling in regard to releasing her tax returns. Wolfson did not resign.

Republican Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) warned that if Obama were to be elected president, radical Islamists would dance in the streets because he happens to share a name with Sadaam Hussein and is not white. King also retained his post in Congress, despite the thinly veiled racism in his statement, which he predictably premised as not racist (a good indication that, in fact, it is).

Rush Limbaugh said of a possible Clinton/Obama ticket: “Therefore, you've got a woman and a black for the first time ever on the Democrat ticket. Ahem. They don't have a prayer." We, of course, should not hold our breath for a Limbaugh resignation, either.

Amidst all of this metaphorical language and far-reaching comparisons that turn candidates into monsters and terrorists, it’s easy to forget what’s really at stake – choosing the leader of our country, who will hopefully resolve international conflicts, take steps to combat global warming and bridge the chasm between America’s political parties after eight years of Bush-led division. Yet politicos insist upon resorting to cheap shots and fear-mongering that are appropriate for the playground, not the political arena. 

As a self-described world leader, the U.S. has a responsibility to uphold a certain standard of peace amidst increasing worldwide violence and hate. While our election year squabbles cannot compare to the bloodshed occurring in other countries, there are enough eyes on us that even the most insignificant of battles between candidates and pundits reveal the dark side of Americans in power. Meanwhile, we should be working to prove that hate doesn’t always accompany power, and that two political parties can vie for power without resorting to hate-filled rhetoric. 

While it’s naive to assume that everyone – liberals and conservatives, Obama supporters and Clinton supporters, talk radio bigots and civil and women’s rights leaders – can just get along when the stakes are so high, it’s not too much to ask that everyone at least try to respect one another on an intellectual level and not resort to unsubstantiated, emotionally-driven ad hominem attacks. Obama’s middle name has nothing to do with his ability to be president. Clinton’s take-charge, gender-defying attitude makes her neither a monster nor an unfit leader.  

Samantha Power made the decision to resign despite being one of the more reasonable critics of Sen. Clinton, who has been called everything from a cackling witch to an uppity (word that rhymes with witch) who, as Limbaugh said recently, is familiar with being “on top” – and he didn’t mean on top of the ballots. Power’s decision, though a tad extreme, ultimately reflects well on Obama’s campaign, which is still at least attempting to keep itself out of the gutter despite the heightening attacks leveled against them. 

Republican nominee John McCain has also managed to quietly avoid controversy and hyperbolic language. Hopefully he will continue to do so until the general election – if not for the sake of his party, which is peppered with foot-in-mouth conservatives, then for America and our reputation as a civilized world leader. 

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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