Looking across the Pond at the GOP nomination race this UK writer is struck by many things, not least the latest televised debates between the front runners in the race. There is so much press surrounding the main contenders that it is easy to forget that there are others jockeying for position. The six major contenders dominate debate and media coverage. The fact that all these politicians, from the same political party, are fighting it out publicly is definitely odd. TEK has already noted that.
The fact that these TV debates could be so influential in who a voter chooses to support, is another misnomer. After all, the most charismatic or best actor could fare the best. Perhaps this is how Reagan came to office. Although with his acting record perhaps we should scrap that idea.
The UK took its lead from the US political debates and held similar ones pre the last general election. That is how we ended up with a loosely run Coalition government full of style, money and no substance.
The New Hampshire audience may have already made up their minds who they will select, however many in the US will have yet to decide. The debate seemed to be aiming for those floating voters. By doing so most of the candidates did their best to be moderate. Nothing too excesvsive. Nothing that could lessen their individual vote. So what was the point of all this?
If each candidate has no firm manifesto and simply speaks in order to plese the listener how the hell does anyone know what a candidate truly stands for?
In light of the sorry state of the World right now some of the questions and answers were downright silly. A great deal of debate time has been spent name calling each other on their past records and deating issues such as gay rights in America. Whilst this writer would not want to belittle such subjects surely there are more important issues at hand? Israel, Iran, North Korea, American drones, terrorism, global economic disasters, environmental dangers, poverty, high levels of unemployment, budget cuts and so much more rapidly spring to mind.
Whilst we all know that charity begins at home there are so many global issues which could affect us all, not least the US. The US has many urgent issues which need to be resolved. Is contraception one of them? I doubt it.
The questions were selected for the candidates but there was ample opportunity to discuss more serious issues. In the end it all seemed like an X Factor type contest. Which GOP candidate has that certain extra something? The X Factor. It seemed to have little to do with policies and political beliefs but more to do with the persona for the job.
Surely the American people want and deserve better than this?
The fact that these TV debates could be so influential in who a voter chooses to support, is another misnomer. After all, the most charismatic or best actor could fare the best. Perhaps this is how Reagan came to office. Although with his acting record perhaps we should scrap that idea.
The UK took its lead from the US political debates and held similar ones pre the last general election. That is how we ended up with a loosely run Coalition government full of style, money and no substance.
The New Hampshire audience may have already made up their minds who they will select, however many in the US will have yet to decide. The debate seemed to be aiming for those floating voters. By doing so most of the candidates did their best to be moderate. Nothing too excesvsive. Nothing that could lessen their individual vote. So what was the point of all this?
If each candidate has no firm manifesto and simply speaks in order to plese the listener how the hell does anyone know what a candidate truly stands for?
In light of the sorry state of the World right now some of the questions and answers were downright silly. A great deal of debate time has been spent name calling each other on their past records and deating issues such as gay rights in America. Whilst this writer would not want to belittle such subjects surely there are more important issues at hand? Israel, Iran, North Korea, American drones, terrorism, global economic disasters, environmental dangers, poverty, high levels of unemployment, budget cuts and so much more rapidly spring to mind.
Whilst we all know that charity begins at home there are so many global issues which could affect us all, not least the US. The US has many urgent issues which need to be resolved. Is contraception one of them? I doubt it.
The questions were selected for the candidates but there was ample opportunity to discuss more serious issues. In the end it all seemed like an X Factor type contest. Which GOP candidate has that certain extra something? The X Factor. It seemed to have little to do with policies and political beliefs but more to do with the persona for the job.
Surely the American people want and deserve better than this?
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