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These periodic ramblings are written, produced and directed by Ronald Dale Karr, University of Massachusetts Lowell, who is solely responsible for the content. Obviously, the opinions expressed here are my own, not those of the University. |
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These periodic ramblings are written, produced and directed by Ronald Dale Karr, University of Massachusetts Lowell, who is solely responsible for the content. Obviously, the opinions expressed here are my own, not those of the University. |
| Return to Current Issue of the Karr Report |
AND THE WINNER IS . . . GEORGE W. BUSH!?? The only winner to emerge from the snows of New Hampshire was W. Bush. True, John McCain got more votes, a lot more votes. But meanwhile, BUSH LITE was raking in the cash.
Net Campaign Contributions (through 12-31-99)
Now, MONEY isn't everything in American politics; Ross Perot and Steve Forbes have shown that the voters won't respondif you have to rely on your own fortune to fund your campaign. (Also Perot and Forbes, like Pat Buchanan and Donald Trump, are up against an American tradition that says to be President you first must first have served as either a governor, member of Congress, Vice President, Cabinet officer, or general—no one has ever been elected who wasn't). But raising lots of other people's money, particularly from corporations or the folks who own them, puts the mark of approval on your campaign. Thus anointed, politicians and the media will fall in line to get a piece of the action. You're now a "serious" candidate, and the voters will be subjected to an endless stream of PROPAGANDA, both paid and gratuitous, not to waste their votes on LOSERS.
JOHN MCCAIN like almost any other adult American is better qualified to be President than Dubbayu. But like the late PAUL TSONGAS in 1992, he'll soon discover the futility of competing with an opponent who's far better organized and funded. In NEW HAMPSHIRE, where a remarkably high percentage of eventual voters get to meet the candidates in the flesh, the shortcomings of Bush were painfully obvious. But in the rest of the nation, we only see the images of the candidates that the media and advertising present to us. Bush, humbled but not humiliated by his New Hampshire loss, will be made to seem highly Presidential, while McCAIN will appear as downright dangerous. Expect to see a lot of TV showings of "The Manchurian Candidate." Short of money and staff, McCain will flounder in desperation while the well-oiled Bush machine turns out the votes precinct by precinct; unless Bush really BLOWS IT, it should be all over by March 8. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame, Captain.
AS FOR GORE AND BRADLEY Neither man has much to be happy about in New Hampshire. Bradley badly needed a win, given New Hampshire's sympathy with INSURGENTS. In recent years New Hampshire voters registered independent more often than either Democrats or Republicans, and in the primary most of these voters chose to vote in the Republican contest, not for Bradley. On the other hand, Gore would certainly have wanted a decisive blow against Bradley. Gore, after all represents one of the most popular administrations in U.S. history in a time of booming stock markets and low unemployment, and has the support of virtually every Democratic politician in the nation. The fact that he could only gain barely half of the voters in the Democratic primary, when his only opponent was a colorless ex-Senator, is little reason to break out the champagne.
GORE'S BIGGEST PROBLEMis that despite his credentials and broad support Bradley is somehow managing to keep up with him in the all-important race for campaign cash.
Net Campaign Contributions (through 12-31-99)
THE ELECTION SEASON SO FAR has given the average voter little to be excited about. Yawn! Aside from the largely symbolic social issues, like ABORTION or gay rights, Bush, Gore, and Bradley present almost identical views regarding the economic, military, diplomatic, and social justice policies in which the President can make a difference. When all three candidates sing the praises of FREE TRADE and the WTO, what comfort is it for the poor slob whose real wages have fallen, lives heavily in debt, works long hours with little vacation, has seen much of his health insurance and pension befits erode, and faces an increasingly insecure future? Expect a lot of these voters, who constitute nearly half of the nation, to STAY AWAY from the polls. Why bother?
THE ECONOMY meanwhile, continues to defy all REASON. Most of the safeguards enacted since the New Deal have been removed, prompting an orgy of speculation that has sent stock markets to record highs. Somehow, Americans have been persuaded to work long hours, plunge deeply into debt, invest in ephemeral companies, and have blind faith in the future. At some point, however, the day of reckoning will be at hand—and politics may once more get exciting! Stay tuned.
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Send all comments on the Karr Report to Ronald Dale Karr
Ronald_Karr@uml.edu