So much is made nowadays of a major U.S. political candidate -- especially one running for president -- making even the slightest of gaffes. Once the national media got its first juicy bite of "gotcha" journalism during the Watergate years, it has never lost its taste for that kind of stuff. Besides, it sells newspapers and increases TV and radio ratings. Obviously, this will continue until we, the public, quit buying it.
However, this has taken a terrible toll on our political system, .i.e., it has served to severely limit our choice of candidates. It seems that anytime a candidate makes a gaffe, something that is just a natural part of being human, he or she is either immediately forced out of their race or is crippled so badly that they cannot win. But why should this be the case? Aren't people allowed to make mistakes anymore? Maybe, but when a political candidate makes one, it is analyzed and hashed out in the media over and over again.
As a consequence, we elect too many cautious and robotic public officials, those who have carefully groomed their political image for years and who place a far greater value on form than on substance. Is it any wonder that our political wheels grind to a halt so often? Give me candidates who make gaffes once in a while. At least I'll know they are trying to accomplish something beyond making themselves look good.
So true. Candidates today are so afraid of saying something incorrect that they really don't say much at all (substance wise).
Posted by: Andy | May 03, 2007 at 05:59 PM