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Political fortunes may still be fuzzy after the Iowa caucuses, but one thing is clear: the candidates spent an unprecedented amount on advertising. Iowan Bruce Gronbeck, professor of political rhetoric and media, has been watching the ads. He explains what caucus goers and the candidates got for the money.
Again with the Swift Boats? Geez like a broken record. How about the '92 ad "Saddam Hussien still has his job, how about you?". Now that's a classic we never hear on the greatest hits album ;)
Let me propose a couple of alternative explanations for the relative lack of bloodletting in the advertising and the campaigning in both Iowa and New Hampshire, especially on the part of Democrats.
Historically, Democrats have torn each other to pieces in the nominating process. (Will Rogers' famous line, "I'm not a part of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat.) This time they decided to be organized and heed the mood of the country for uniting, rather follow any politician's instinct.
Plus, they are well aware of Mrs. Clinton's high negatives and their vulnerability in the general election with her at the top of the ticket.
Suppose, however, she was the Vice Presidential candidate with a youthful, charismatic, inspiring mixed race candidate in the top spot.
They get "two for one", again.
Change times two; a first African-American President (as the wildly successful '24' already prepared the public for) AND the first experienced First Lady to actually serve as Vice President, to continue the Clinton legacy.
What assuaged public concern at W's lack of foreign policy expertise? That guy who shoots his hunting partner in the face.
Even the old Saturday Night Live skits, with Phil Hartman and Anna Gasteyer, where they portrayed Hillary as a physically abusive spouse doesn't hold a candle to that reality.
In 8 years, she'll still be younger than McCain is now and, assuming the nation has been destroyed, how can she lose then?
Rats, I submitted the wrong revision. Try:
In 8 years, she'll still be younger than McCain is now and, assuming the nation hasn’t been destroyed, how can she lose then? By then, Bill can come up with a better euphemism than First Laddy.
In 8 years I'm guessing Michelle Obama will run and the Clinton era will be joyfully forgotten. She'll have all that foreign policy experience of hosting the first ladies and laddies of other countries that Clinton says was so invaluable.
You can't run on change and then have an architect of the current quagmire as your VP. Push her ego and need for the limelight wouldn't be sated by the darkness of the VP role. Finally, her negatives are so high it would detract from his momentum. Why not Richardson, he's been running for VP the whole time.
Like now, in 2000, the focus had turned again to domestic issues as all "seemed" peaceful on the international front and an economic recession was looming.
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