Can we talk? Can we put all red and blue hats aside and partisan paraphernalia? Can we talk about the elections, one week from today, and objectively acknowledge what is wise and what is not? Can we talk? Can we ignore our emotional entrenchment that too often gets in the way, prompting us to justify the partisan blinders — blinders often of wisdom?
Hence, all blinders and party recognition aside, I question the wisdom in the following circumstances surrounding next Tuesday’s midterm elections…
Can someone tell me why Mitch McConnell feels like he needs another six years in the Senate? McConnell has been in office for 30 years. While I appreciate his service and his commitment to Kentucky, why is it that he feels he must represent Kentuckians? Isn’t it time for someone else? … some fresh ideas? … some new, creative articulation of ideas? One of the primary reasons the Intramuralist repeatedly advocates for term limits is because too many candidates refuse to limit themselves. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont has actually been in office since 1975. Geeeesh… (note: #1).
Speaking of Kentucky, there’s also McConnell’s opponent, Alison Lundergan Grimes. Sharing a political likemindedness with the President — yet noting that Pres. Obama is rather unpopular in the Bluegrass State — Grimes has repeatedly refused to say whether she voted for the current Commander-in-Chief. After stumbling with her response, she claimed she was motivated by privacy, expecting the not-so-intelligent voter to miss the warped sense of politics involved.
Ms. Grimes, it’s ok if you voted for Obama… lots of people did; a majority of us did! But not to answer the question makes me wonder where else you are being deceptive. Where else is politics your primary motivator?…
Grimes’s misstep prompted a plethora of similar questions, with multiple other candidates joining in the rhetorical fumbling, such as Georgia Senate candidate Michelle Nunn, West Virginia’s Natalie Tennant, and now gubernatorial candidates (see Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania). There’s too much politicking involved. Hence… geeeesh #2.
Too much politicking, too many impure motivations, and too much money… way too much money! It’s both parties, friends. The Center for Responsive Politics projects nearly $4 billion will be spent on the elections by the time the dust settles after Nov. 4th (… uh, geeeesh #3 comes pretty easily).
Somewhere within the process, no less, is the current, seemingly awkward role of Pres. Obama. With stagnant at best approval numbers, few candidates desire photo ops with the current President, but fewer still will admit their lack of desire. Obviously, there exists an intentional strategy for Obama to not campaign with candidates who hail from bellwether or non-blue states; no prudent candidate wants to be seen with anyone or anything which might negatively affect their candidacy; also, Obama is by no means the first president to possess such a perceived, unfortunate albatross effect. My “geeeesh” thus arises again, primarily by those who attempt to deny the strategy — again, believing the average voter to be rather ignorant. As said by incumbent candidate, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the other night in New Hampshire, “The fact is, he’s busy in Washington.” Geeeeesh, indeed.
Unfortunately, when elections are near, so often is a lack of wisdom.
Geeeesh.
Respectfully…
AR