Negative Political Campaigning and Thick Rhetoric

October 14, 2008

Article by FoxNews: Obama Supporters Protest with Obscene Anti-Palin Shirts

Before I get to this article it is important to point out what a candidate is actually saying when they say negative things about their opponents. When a candidate focuses on their opponent and highlights the negative, whether or not the arguments are unfounded, they are actually downplaying their own deficiencies. Instead of conveying their own message, which is likely failing, why not focus on the other candidate? When your message is not compelling, the best way to motivate people is to convince the people your opponent does not have your best interests in mind. Does anyone really feel either candidate does not have your best interests in mind? I know it is hard to trust politicians, especially with the events of today. However, ideology aside, our presidential candidates are capable and do want to succeed.

Now to this article, which was offered by right-leaning media outfit Fox News. They were highlighting the fact a handful of Obama supporters were wearing obscene t-shirts with slanderous slogans about Sarah Palin. If this is true there is no way anyone could ever condone such behaviour. It just aint right. However, there is a bigger issue in play here.

Obama issued a statement commending McCain for spurning the negative supporter rhetoric. What McCain did was commendable, but he didnt really have a choice other than toning down the rhetroic. When you are on national TV and you can clearly hear supporters yelling “Terrorist,” “Off with his head,” and “He’s an Arab,” one cannot just turn their head and pretend like it nothing was said.

In Obama’s defense, I’m sure he wouldn’t condone slanderous t-shirts about his opponenets running mate. But can he be held responsible for what people wear to his rallies? Does he have to visually inspect every supporter as they enter? No, of course not. Could he have campaign staffers inspect what people wear and request any obscene language or images to be removed? Yes, of course. And I feel he should do whatever is in his power to quell the problem. But to the point of FoxNews.com political analyst, Tammy Bruce – who said this about Obama…

Tammy Bruce: “Barack Obama, while he may not be approving of these things or writing or printing these t-shirts himself, he has given permission to some of these supporters to behave in this manner.”

I say: Preposterous. To imply Obama or anyone else in his camapign, the Democratic Party, or any persons who support Obama would give permission to display or spew negative rhetoric about an opponent is not only insulting, but feeeding directly into the ignorant mentality which perpetuates the problem.