We're winding down another presidential election season and it's been quite a show. Obama is ahead in the polls so McCain is now doing and saying more things to discredit his opponent, actually using tactics (robocalls about the Ayers connection for example) that he said he would never use to win just a few short months ago. My, how the thinking changes when you're several points down in the polls.
Of course, Obama said he would take the public financing route and backed out of that, so I guess they're even!
Just a few weeks ago the Republican Party urged McCain to go negative because he was "losing" according to polls and the so-called "maverick" has apparently taken his party's advice. To be fair, there have been some slings from the Obama campaign as well, but in general, I think they have managed to stay more on the issues than McCain and the negative ads from Obama's campaign haven't been quite so vitriolic.
Here's the deal, and I'll say it equally for both parties. Like my mom used to tell me, "if you don't have something nice to say, then don't say it".
Winning has become the only focus in politics today. Candidates talk about "taking the high road" until they fall behind in the polls. At that point, the desire to win snuffs out any semblance of honor and they begin to pretty much say anything to get elected.
Honor and politics have become oxymorons in the industry of political elections. They don't even belong in the same sentence when taken in the context of election cycle dynamics. Our politicians have lost their ability to stay focused on the issues when the going gets tough and, instead, resort to low level innuendos and sound bytes aimed at planting that all important seed of doubt in voters' minds. And everyone knows if an uncommitted voter is confused (after being bombarded with negative comments) they tend to play it safe and go with a different candidate.
I, for one, am tired of this low level mud slinging and want our political candidates to think about the message they're sending when they resort to these types of antics.
I'm challenging politicians to look at their gamesmanship and determine if they feel honorable enough about their actions to use them as a model for raising their child or grandchild. Sit down with your child or grandchild and explain to them why "playing fair", "getting along with others", "not cheating", "treating others as you would like to be treated", etc. doesn't apply when you're losing.
Is the following advice something you would be willing to give to your grandson? "When your team is playing its best and is still losing the game, son, then do whatever is required to win. If you can't win on your own talent, do something to cripple the other guys. In politics, we call that "strategy". If nothing else works, stick your finger in the opponent's eye if it will help you win, but don't get caught. We call that "tactics".
"Now, don't poke the eye of any of the average players whose play won't determine the game's outcome. That wouldn't be honorable. Just go after the "game changers". Go after the kid who makes the big plays and whose absence will demoralize your opponents. And, forget all that stuff you learned about "doing the right thing", because winning is the only thing. After you've won, you'll forget all about what you did to get there."
Say your daughter is running for Class President and her opponent is beautiful, intelligent and very popular with all the kids. Would you tell her, "hey, there's no way you're going to beat this girl, so let's come up with a plan. We need to level the playing field." You then proceed to explain to her how people's perceptions are what's important and that if she can somehow plant some little bombshells here and there, enough doubt may be created in the kids minds that they won't vote for the other girl.
So, you tell her to start writing her opponent's name and phone number on the bathroom walls - "For a good time, call...". It's really not dishonest to post that message because the opponent really does know how to have a good time. That's why the other kids like her. Then, follow that up with a statement that the opponent "hangs around with the biggest sleaze at school". You don't need to mention that the opponent does this because she likes everyone and doesn't judge them. Tell her to plant the seeds of doubt and before she know's it she'll be the next Class President!
Politicians, this is a wakeup call. If you wouldn't teach your kids or grandkids to use the kinds of tactics you use to win, then why do you do it? There are many shades of gray in people's lives and to pick something out of context or to knowingly twist the words to achieve your political objectives is wrong-headed and dishonorable.
Now, I know some political pundits would say I'm being naive and that politics is a contact sport. But, hey, get real. You're sending the wrong message to the children and the adults of this country and you need to cease and desist now. Stay focused on the issues and what you plan to do to make this country a better place. If your current platform doesn't do that, then change the platform to earn votes, don't personally attack your opponent just because it works.
Maintain your integrity and honor by resisting the advice of your political advisors to go negative. Your children, grandchildren and your nation will thank you and respect you for doing so.
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