The Real Deal Becomes the Old Spiel
Are Democrats the party of what we are tired of… of surrender?
America boasts a two-party political system. One is the party of ‘oligarchy;’ one is the party of ‘meritocracy.’ Both are hindered by an unrelenting confirmation bias, seeking to confirm what each believes to be true. (2)
One party is convinced of their perspective, as in ‘everyone knows Arizona has always gone Republican, so it’s ok to question the voting results and correct them.’
The other party questions it’s perspective(s) and attempts to self-examine and self-correct. In the land of intelligence scarcity, amnesia and cynical posturing, this practice is known as ‘surrender.’
To make sure the doctrine of scarcity is sustained, America has enshrined it in the filibuster and the Electoral College. In state legislature oversight of voting rights and reproductive rights.
One can go on.
The problem is that this trail leads America to question its capacity to govern. ‘Lock her up,’ finds an audience cheering and chanting.
And that was in ‘nicer days.’
Since the Supreme Court decision to remove women’s reproductive rights, Vice President Kamela Harris has been ‘on the road,’ on behalf of Democratic contenders, urging women, victims of the decision, to organize and hold anti-abortion politicians accountable. Harris speaks in measured, optimistic terms: in sum, ‘we can do this if we work together.’
Her message falls flat. What’s curious is that in trying to look for answers to her ‘messaging’ failure to convince, one hears supporters praising Harris as the ‘real deal.’
She knows; she identifies; she suffers.
That’s it?
In the land of cruelty to one’s neighbors, this practice of identifying, of ‘I feel your pain,’ lacks compassion. It’s staged moral outrage being drowned out by a foghorn. It’s diagnosis with no therapeutic plan.
It’s bigger than Harris. It’s bigger than coming off as ‘the real deal.’ And it’s bigger than collecting votes.
To trek the path from acceptance to advocacy, one needs solidarity. Self-identification and self-absorption distract. One needs a narrative of sacrifice, of giving up old ideas.
Everyone knows unwanted pregnancy is a ‘mistake,’ so it’s ok to force women to suffer the consequences. (3)
Which brings one back not simply to Harris but to the campaign she is preaching. Is this the ‘real deal’ or the old spiel? When does messaging survive one’s inattention? Where does compassion fit in? Half of America is unconvinced and the other half, keepers of self-governing, is exhausted.
Dotting the political media horizon are a collection of highway billboards paid for by the Campaign to Elect California Governor Gavin Newsom. One can find them along highways in seven states that have passed “trigger laws,” criminalizing abortion since Dobbs was decided by the Supreme Court.
From a cynical perspective, one can view this landscape as another ‘political stunt’ to help get Newsom national prominence during his governorship campaign. Similar billboards and TV interviews, notably a recent one with Alex Wagner on MSNBC (4) portray Newsom as leading the Democratic Party challenge to Republicans in their ‘comfort zone’ of criticizing Democrats for higher crime and taxes.
Step back a bit: there is more going on here than “nationalizing” Newsom’s governor bid and Presidential posturing for 2024.
Besides grabbing “eyeballs,” and “sound bites,” Newsom’s campaign hits on a belief structure which states matter-of-factly, cruelty in politics carries no consequences. Well, not exactly. By erecting these billboards in seven states across America, Newsom is challenging this notion, saying
There are consequences. As in you lost your rights. And your neighbor lost their rights.
The mentation process is transparent. We are not in the cognitive playground of ‘we know who we are.’ Newsom’s campaign, unlike Harris’, challenges misinformation by speaking to an audience.
Note the lack of rhetoric.
Newsom’s ‘stunt’ is on target. This doesn’t mean Democrats should rush out and buy billboard space. What this means, rather is go to where your audience is…today… not tomorrow.
Don’t collect their approval; challenge their passion. The success of a political message in America’s current political environment is not in its substance, but in its sizzle.
October 10
Notes
1-As Harris touts abortion rights, backers hope she finally hits her stride — The Washington Post
2-https://www.google.com/search?q=confirmation+bias&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
4-AT LAST! California Gov. Gavin Newsom has a stark message for Democrats they better heed now. by Egberto Willies
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