Auchtoon!Politcal Conventions — Change the #%@& Channel…
Originally published in the Grand Rapids Business Journal, September 1, 2008
I didn’t watch much of either political convention. Again, as an alleged editorial cartoonist I should probably show more interest for such things or at least lie and tell you that I immersed myself in the speeches to marinade in the subtle flavors so as to detect and then share the truth behind the scenes. But seriously, there ain’t no behind-the-scenes — they’re pep rallies! Pep rallies for the believers and the bought (and the believers who don’t realize they’ve been bought).
I did flip by one night, and I don’t remember which one it was but there was a guy delivering a stilted rah-rah with the repeat phrase, “Yes we can!” So, him: “Quasi-motivational reference to action affecting a positive outcome of a supposed party platform item.” Pause. Then Crowd: “Yes we can!” And repeat. And repeat. And repeat. I watched fascinated by the awkwardness of it all — the D-List speaker straining for legitimacy, the attempts of the camera to catch a delegate with sincere enthusiasm, the tension of a thousand of pundits desperately trying to churn up any sort of opinion before the guy finished. When my dear wife broke me from my spell with a, “change the
Kris said,
September 12, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
Oddly, I watched the ‘major’ speakers at both conventions. I couldn’t turn away. I had to find out what they would say. If I could have TIVO’d out the extended applause breaks and raucus chants, I would have. I did wonder who those people were and how they got invited. I wondered to myself how many ‘unfortunate’ camera moments my children would have generated if I were a candidate – nose picking, laying on the chair, talking to themselves, etc. Would the camera crews find any 50+ war veterans at the democratic convention? Would they find a person of color at the republican convention? But I certainly agree they are pep rallies and painful to watch.
John said,
September 12, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Ohmygosh! Made me think of think of glancing over at Ian in the middle of Mike’s wedding. He was all laid back, feet up, tilted to one side, serene — paying perfect attention but as relaxed as I think I’ve ever seen anybody in a pew.
Kris said,
September 20, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
Well….those really aren’t ‘pews’ at the Unitarian church, now are they? Anna had her feet straight up on the back of the chair. Nice. Lady-like. She will be too smart to go into politics but by God, she’d be a straight shooter.