Please allow me to counterpoint Evan Smith’s Forum column: “Defending the ABC questioners in the Pennsylvania debate” on May 2. He viewed their questions of flag lapel pins rather than issues as “fine.” He continued, “There is little difference between Clinton and Obama on the issues…more people agreed with Kerry on the issues than…Bush, but they couldn’t identify with …Kerry’s elitist nature.” It is clear: the media is again perpetuating the sad status quo in politics of wanting voter preference to rely on personality rather than on substance and knowledge of the issues.
If all this sounds familiar, it should. The media used patriotism and elitism against John Kerry to help re-elect President Bush in 2004. John Kerry was hounded by the media to prove his patriotism despite two tours of service in Vietnam under gunfire (swift-boating). Where was the hard scrutiny of Bush? The subliminal message was “Kerry is unpatriotic, and he can’t be trusted to protect America. Be fearful.”
The continual questioning by ABCNews and the media regarding Obama’s failure to wear a flag pin allows the voter to question Obama’s patriotism. Where is the scrutiny as to why neither Clinton nor McCain wear a flag pin? “Obama must be unpatriotic. Can he be trusted to protect America? Be fearful!”
Kerry was painted as a “wine-sipping, latte-drinking elitist.” Voters preferred that beer with Bush. Hillary is in a bar downing shots! Obama is out-of-touch and an “elitist”! The media’s obsession with presidential “beer popularity” has driven us onto the low-road of politics. Bush’s failure as a student, lack of curiosity, his incompetence and corruption have steered our government into the ditch.
Downing a beer might help us deal with the serious issues created by that “popular president.” However, we need more than the media’s 2004 “talking points” of patriotism and elitism. Eighty-one percent think we are “on the wrong track,” so this election must rise above elitism, patriotism and popularity in 2008. Knowledge of the issues must define our thinking and vote. Democracy depends on an informed citizenry. Vote smart!
Glenda Tecklenburg
Mill Creek
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