Hamas War

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Politics--Behind the Scenes

I've just read two, interesting and revealing articles about politics. Of course every single article about politics and politicians have their agendas, both open and hidden.

I'll start with the Newsweek article about the US Presidential candidate who has seemed most "plastic" and manufactured, like a Ken doll. I'm talking about John Edwards, who has been running for President for the past five years. What I like about this article, and I must stress that I don't see it as my role in any way to support or oppose American politicians, is the inside working of campaigns. It definitely seems like his advisors were (and probably still are) trying to manufacture him into the image they think can be elected.

When he began his campaigning, five years ago, he cooperated, showing a lack of confidence and true leadership. Now, at least according to this article, he had matured and is trying to campaign as "himself." This is extremely crucially important especially in today's politics so dominated by "professional advisors."

Too many politicians, all over the world, have one aim, and that's to be elected, and they will say and do anything to reach that goal. Last night Israeli TV showed a "special" about another US Presidential candidate, Barack Obama, who doesn't seem to have anything unique about him except his color. When asked why now? since he has no "National" experience, his answer didn't make sense. My feeling is that the true reason is that he, and his "pushers," don't want to wait eight years. They're calculating that since Bush has finished his second term, the presidency is open for another two terms, and there's a good chance that whomever is elected next year will be re-elected four years later. Eight years is a long time to wait, and they're impatient. Lots can happen in eight years.

Politics from a different angle concerns the personal relationships between politicians and the media. Media stars comment on their friends the politicians, so how objective can they really be? In Israel, a very small country, the relationships are extremely, closely entwined. Read this very revealing interview with Dan Margalit, one of Israel's most veteran and respected journalists, about his decades long close friendly, and now former, relationship with Ehud Olmert.

Now that they are no longer friends, will we finally hear the truth from him?

What is truth, when it comes to politics? Don Qixote never ran for office, right? That's because of his "impossible dream." Am I too "1960's" for the real world?

No comments: