Home » diaries » Ian Welsh's diary

Politics is theater


Sean-Paul posted on how the launch of the Democratic security plan landed with more of a thud than a bang. The reasons are simple and it has nothing to do with the virtues of the plan.

1) President Bush switched a speech to begin just before the Democratic rollout. The people who would cover the Dems are the same people who would cover the President. The President is more newsworthy. THUD.

The answer to that, needless to say, is that you yourself reschedule. "Well boys, we think it's only fair to allow the President to make his excuses before we take him to task. We'll have this after he's done."

2) No real theater. Politics is theater. Reporters would show up if there was something to report beyond some "boring" policy. There are plenty of things you could do, here are three ideas.

First idea: Have the meeting at Ground Zero. Fly a huge banner which says "Osama Bin Laden: Wanted Dead or Alive" - George Bush, September 17, 2001". Each speaker starts their speech with "where's Osama Mr. Bush?"

Second Idea: Create a huge wall with all the names of all the dead American soldiers, have the conference in front of that wall. Repeat "our soldiers deserve better." A lot.

Third Idea. Have the conference in front of a naval harbor, overlooking a pile of ships. This time have a banner which says "Mission Accomplished: Time To Bring the Boys Home".

Hit 'em where it hurts.


Ian Welsh March 30, 2006 - 8:04pm
Ian Welsh's diary | printer friendly version | digg

yes and no

I think you describe the current dynamic pretty well, but I think it would be a mistake to stage publicity stunts. Feeds the conventional wisdom that Dems are not serious.

1. Put together a serious policy document. Post it on the internet. Encourage Congressman to refer to it in speeches.

Make peace with the idea that the general public is not hungering to read the details.

2. On the one or two important issues that the public WILL care about, speak calmly and directly. In other words, Iraq. Say it is a mistake. We are doing more harm than good. Time to get out.

Dems are too impatient to do No. 1.

Too cowardly to do No. 2.

jwp March 30, 2006 - 9:53pm
login to post comments
Secular and civilian, please

No more use of the military as political props. Not only is it borderline unconstitutional, it's cheap and dirty. I think the Dems should make clear that they will give the military and the churches their dignity back, no ifs ands or buts.

PW March 30, 2006 - 10:05pm
login to post comments
Publicity stunts are the

Publicity stunts are the only way to cut through the noise. I strongly disagree that they are a bad idea. And there is nothing wrong with symbolism - this fear that liberals have of using symbolism at full strength to give power to their words is crippling them. As for not using the military as a prop - as long as actual military men aren't used I see nothing wrong with it.

You don't bring a knife to a gunfight. I wish the Democrats would stop doing so.

Ian Welsh March 31, 2006 - 12:28am
login to post comments
I agree

Your idea #1 would be nice; failing that, ONE company in ONE building at Ground Zero hanging a banner with the question would be a damn good start. I'm pretty certain you'd see that on virtually all MSM.

Another, one from my wish list: every American who thinks our involvement in Iraq was a bad idea coughs up $5 to MoveOn (or another like-minded organization) for a couple of prime-time "tell-it-like-it-is" ads. Raw, nasty, truthful ads.

And one more metaphor: It's time to take the gloves off. (well, overdue, actually.)

"Lord! What fools these Mortals be!"

Doug Richardson March 31, 2006 - 12:49am
login to post comments
or 3

use your personal media space to discuss the plan and why it is right for America...

eh?

--

the place where I write.

wah April 1, 2006 - 1:30am
login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.