Political Alliances
If you are looking for consistency of positions, or frankly honesty, you should avoid looking too closely at political speeches and campaigns.
Witness the rush-to-the-finish in New Jersey and Virginia, both of which hold statewide elections today, including for governor.
In an effort to get the Democrat candidate in each race across the finish line, former president Barack Obama appeared in TV ads over the past couple of weeks, and made in-person rally appearances in each state this past weekend.
I was listening to a Fox hourly newscast on KXEL, which included clips from Obama’s speeches at each place. In urging voters to go to the polls, he used identical language other than changing the name of the state. It was so similar, I originally thought Fox had hit the wrong button and the same audio was playing twice.
I understand all these things are scripted and sterile. But to say the state’s voters had a unique chance “to elect a leader who is going to make a better, stronger, brighter future” for the state…the exact phrase in both speeches…frankly seems lazy, when you are extolling the unique virtues of the candidate.
Unless, of course, you aren’t really concerned about anything other than supporting whoever has the partisan letter by their name.
That was also brought home as we were reminded that one year ago, Obama was caught on video saying “the brothers” needed to come together to vote for Kamala Harris. By that argument, “the brothers” should be unified to elect Winsome Earle-Sears as the first female governor of Virginia. Except she’s a Republican, and by his definition, cannot possibly “make a better, stronger, brighter future” for citizens.
Again, we all know it happens on both sides…hypocrisy reigns supreme across the political spectrum. But sometimes it’s just too much to let pass by without comment.
Despite all that…do your last bits of homework, and cast an informed ballot today. That’s the best defense against politics as usual.
