NationStates Jolt Archive


Is anyone else sick of the 2008 election cycle?

Greill
26-03-2007, 18:56
I know I am, and it's still a year-plus away. What bothers me the most is that this election has basically degenerated into a two-dimensional battle of political personality akin to American Idol. The most egregious example, I believe, is Barack Obama. Seriously, what does anyone see in this guy? He's been a senator for less than 3 years, I have no idea what his specific stance on the issues is, but somehow he rallies hordes of people who have transformed into his army of screeching political groupies. Maybe Obamania is a form of hysteria? Who knows.

Next we have Hillary Clinton. Ah, Hillary. I have a better idea of what Hillary's stance is since she, you know, actually has significant political experience (Yes, I do know that Barack Obama worked in the Illinois legislature. But this is a whole other ballgame.) She likes universal healthcare, which, to the American booboisie, is kind of like saying you love kittens. She also likes to act all tough and conservative on certain issues like immigration and the war, probably in the hopes that the conservatives who hate her have short enough attention spans that they will abruptly start liking her. But she showed off her full-fledged pandering skills when she read that sermon in that ridiculous fake Southern drawl. Ah, sweet sweet political prostitution.

Of course, just so I can get both sides of the aisle irate at me, Giuliani is pretty miserable too. He was pretty popular in New York before 9/11, with a fantastic 37% approval rating, but then he managed to capitalize off of the terrorist attacks and become a hero who bravely followed cameras about after the disaster. Sure, he was a Nifongesque prosecutor, a narcissist who dismantled a fantastic police team to satisfy his over-inflated ego (not to mention that he basically doomed 100 firemen by not supplying them with the communication equipment that could have saved their lives), and is a dictator wannabe who tried to remove New York City term limits so he could stay in power. But hey, who's perfect?

I don't feel like commenting on the rest of the candidates, who are also losers except for Ron Paul. Paul, unfortunately, just isn't whorish enough to get elected to a higher office. Ah well. Regardless, I'm just wondering if anyone else feels at all frustrated like I am right now.
The Nazz
26-03-2007, 18:58
I was tired of it on November 8, 2006, and I'm a junkie. This has started way too early to suit me. I don't even want to start thinking presidential politics until late summer at the earliest.
Khadgar
26-03-2007, 18:58
Hillary's stance is easy to determine, whatever is popular this week and can get her name in the papers.


I know politicians are supposed to pander and media whore, but jebus!
Utracia
26-03-2007, 19:04
We need to get Bill Richardson some name recognition to quit hearing about Obama and Clinton so often.
Rhaomi
26-03-2007, 19:07
I know I am, and it's still a year-plus away. What bothers me the most is that this election has basically degenerated into a two-dimensional battle of political personality akin to American Idol. The most egregious example, I believe, is Barack Obama. Seriously, what does anyone see in this guy? He's been a senator for less than 3 years, I have no idea what his specific stance on the issues is, but somehow he rallies hordes of people who have transformed into his army of screeching political groupies. Maybe Obamania is a form of hysteria? Who knows.
I'm sick of people bashing Obama for his popularity. Isn't that supposed to be what democracy is about? Getting people to support you?

And as for his "inexperience", that is inconsequential. Bush was the governor of a large state, and look where he got us. Integrity, intelligence, and good judgement are far more valuable than a few years in the Senate. And I've never understood how a long legislative career prepares one to be head of the executive branch, anyway.
Kyronea
26-03-2007, 19:08
I was tired of it on November 8, 2006, and I'm a junkie. This has started way too early to suit me. I don't even want to start thinking presidential politics until late summer at the earliest.

Gonna have to agree with Nazzy here. Frankly I'm not interested in hearing about it until the primaries are over, and even then it'll be more a case of figuring out how to mock political commercials more than anything else.
The_pantless_hero
26-03-2007, 19:08
The most egregious example, I believe, is Barack Obama. Seriously, what does anyone see in this guy? He's been a senator for less than 3 years, I have no idea what his specific stance on the issues is, but somehow he rallies hordes of people who have transformed into his army of screeching political groupies. Maybe Obamania is a form of hysteria? Who knows.
1) It's called charisma, look it up.
2) Who gives a fuck about his experience in the Senate? The president isn't even in the same fucking branch of government as the Senate. Whenever some one brings up his "lack of experience" by citing the length of time he has been a Senator, they get +10 dumbfuck points in my book.
3) I would bet if you looked up his god damn vote record and his site, you would find his fucking policies. Do some damn research.
The Nazz
26-03-2007, 19:09
Gonna have to agree with Nazzy here. Frankly I'm not interested in hearing about it until the primaries are over, and even then it'll be more a case of figuring out how to mock political commercials more than anything else.

Not quite--I want to be interested when it's time for the primaries, because that's when we wind up with idiots like Bush and Kerry. But the primaries don't start until next January--can't we hold off until oh, August or September before we start in with all this other crap?
Greater Trostia
26-03-2007, 19:11
I wanted to see Clinton vs Rice in 2008, just so someone else could win on the "I have male genitals" platform.
Corneliu
26-03-2007, 19:11
I was tired of it on November 8, 2006, and I'm a junkie. This has started way too early to suit me. I don't even want to start thinking presidential politics until late summer at the earliest.

I agree with Nazz on this as well. Considering this is only March, it'll get even worse by the time the Primaries come around and the General Election.
Kryozerkia
26-03-2007, 19:16
Ye gads and little fish! Elections start so damn early in the US. Here we wake up, sneeze and there is an election 20 days later.
Rhaomi
26-03-2007, 19:16
1) It's called charisma, look it up.
2) Who gives a fuck about his experience in the Senate? The president isn't even in the same fucking branch of government as the Senate. Whenever some one brings up his "lack of experience" by citing the length of time he has been a Senator, they get +10 dumbfuck points in my book.
3) I would bet if you looked up his god damn vote record and his site, you would find his fucking policies. Do some damn research.
Wowch. Well done.
Kyronea
26-03-2007, 19:18
Not quite--I want to be interested when it's time for the primaries, because that's when we wind up with idiots like Bush and Kerry. But the primaries don't start until next January--can't we hold off until oh, August or September before we start in with all this other crap?

I'm not interested in the primaries because I have no intention of registering with either party in order to vote in them, especially since all I'd likely be doing is canceling out one of my parent's votes for Clinton in the Democratic primary anyway.

Then again...I might do it for the Republican primary...but how influencial is Colorado in the primaries anyway?
Greill
26-03-2007, 19:18
1) It's called charisma, look it up.
2) Who gives a fuck about his experience in the Senate? The president isn't even in the same fucking branch of government as the Senate. Whenever some one brings up his "lack of experience" by citing the length of time he has been a Senator, they get +10 dumbfuck points in my book.
3) I would bet if you looked up his god damn vote record and his site, you would find his fucking policies. Do some damn research.

1.) Should I be happy that he can get votes just because he looks or acts like a nice guy? That's kind of like selling a car with a nice paintjob but the engine is banged up, the lights have gone out years ago and the brake fluid has been cut. Then again, most politicians are exactly this, but I still don't see why it's anything to get so damn excited about.
2.) Well, actually, I really don't care. But your average American likely knows absolutely nothing about his policies thanks to his lack of exposure, but he is still followed by the masses like a lost puppy dog.
3.) I motherfucking could, but I fucking know I'd just be goddamn disappointed like a motherfucking bitch slut whore.
Darsha
26-03-2007, 19:18
No, absolutely no one else is sick of this.
The_pantless_hero
26-03-2007, 19:23
1.) Should I be happy that he can get votes just because he looks or acts like a nice guy? That's kind of like selling a car with a nice paintjob but the engine is banged up, the lights have gone out years ago and the brake fluid has been cut. Then again, most politicians are exactly this, but I still don't see why it's anything to get so damn excited about.
I-fucking-rrelevant. I was answering your should-have-been-rhetorical question. And judging by your number 2, you still don't fucking get it.

2.) Well, actually, I really don't care. But your average American likely knows absolutely nothing about his policies thanks to his lack of exposure, but he is still followed by the masses like a lost puppy dog.
Couldn't possibly be because no one does their own damn research and the news doesn't hand out that kind of information. PS. Your average American doesn't know dick about any politician's policies unless it is thrown in their faces.

3.) I motherfucking could, but I fucking know I'd just be goddamn disappointed like a motherfucking bitch slut whore.
If you arn't willing to look up his policies, don't bitch about not knowing what they are.
Ashmoria
26-03-2007, 19:27
its all part of the plan

you start on presidential election politics 2 years out and by the time the votes actually start everyone is so sick of it that only the most fanatically loyal bother voting. the parties gamble that each one's fringe devout is bigger than the other party's.
[/cynic]
Super Fiends
26-03-2007, 19:28
If you arn't willing to look up his policies, don't bitch about not knowing what they are.


Good call.
Corneliu
26-03-2007, 19:30
1.) Should I be happy that he can get votes just because he looks or acts like a nice guy? That's kind of like selling a car with a nice paintjob but the engine is banged up, the lights have gone out years ago and the brake fluid has been cut. Then again, most politicians are exactly this, but I still don't see why it's anything to get so damn excited about.

Welcome to the American Election System.

2.) Well, actually, I really don't care. But your average American likely knows absolutely nothing about his policies thanks to his lack of exposure, but he is still followed by the masses like a lost puppy dog.

Most people do not know the policies of the candidates in any election. People are just to damn lazy to check them.
Congo--Kinshasa
26-03-2007, 20:21
I'm not voting for Bowl of Shit A or Bowl of Shit B, that's for sure.
New Burmesia
26-03-2007, 20:37
Is Greill trying to find more 'proof' the democracy 'doesn't work?
Sumamba Buwhan
26-03-2007, 21:05
I like Obama and don't care if he doesn't have 10+ years of experience in the Senate, in fact I see that as a good, wait, wonderful thing. I don't see why that is a problem. I would rather a young idealist go in there and shake things up than elect someone who will keep things 'business as usual'. 'Business as usual' has been a thorn in the side of the US for as long as I have been paying attention to politics.
New Burmesia
26-03-2007, 21:09
I like Obama and don't care if he doesn't have 10+ years of experience in the Senate, in fact I see that as a good, wait, wonderful thing. I don't see why that is a problem. I would rather a young idealist go in there and shake things up than elect someone who will keep things 'business as usual'. 'Business as usual' has been a thorn in the side of the US for as long as I have been paying attention to politics.
I mean, I'm not an American, but I sure as hell think there needs to be someone whose had less time in Washington being corrupted, for lack of a better word, by the political system.
Luporum
26-03-2007, 21:10
I can't wait, only a year left with the fucking chimp in charge.
Fleckenstein
26-03-2007, 21:18
2.) Well, actually, I really don't care. But your average American likely knows absolutely nothing about his policies thanks to his lack of exposure, but he is still followed by the masses like a lost puppy dog.
Lack of exposure? The first person you name when talking 08 race is him and he lacks exposure? Are you kidding me?

And I wouldnt follow someone without knowing his policies. I happen to like the fact that he has a fucking real plan for Iraq that's tangible and doesn't use vague statements.

3.) I motherfucking could, but I fucking know I'd just be goddamn disappointed like a motherfucking bitch slut whore.

How quaint.
Greill
26-03-2007, 21:53
Lack of exposure? The first person you name when talking 08 race is him and he lacks exposure? Are you kidding me?

And I wouldnt follow someone without knowing his policies. I happen to like the fact that he has a fucking real plan for Iraq that's tangible and doesn't use vague statements.

I meant his policies didn't have much exposure, I don't mean to say that Mr. Smiley hasn't been plenty exposed to rally a horde of automatons to his side. And his 'plan' for Iraq is about as generic as one can get, the usual meaningless "political solution" crap that's been circulating lately.

How quaint.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt, and checked out his campaign website for his platform. It's about as generic as a cookie cutter, and thus I maintain my opinion that he is nothing more than an overrated face.
Azaeria
26-03-2007, 22:02
I'm voting for that Mormon guy =D lol he seems to be anti-everything, which can't be that bad (I don't think, until he invades video games)
Johnny B Goode
26-03-2007, 22:05
I know I am, and it's still a year-plus away. What bothers me the most is that this election has basically degenerated into a two-dimensional battle of political personality akin to American Idol. The most egregious example, I believe, is Barack Obama. Seriously, what does anyone see in this guy? He's been a senator for less than 3 years, I have no idea what his specific stance on the issues is, but somehow he rallies hordes of people who have transformed into his army of screeching political groupies. Maybe Obamania is a form of hysteria? Who knows.

Next we have Hillary Clinton. Ah, Hillary. I have a better idea of what Hillary's stance is since she, you know, actually has significant political experience (Yes, I do know that Barack Obama worked in the Illinois legislature. But this is a whole other ballgame.) She likes universal healthcare, which, to the American booboisie, is kind of like saying you love kittens. She also likes to act all tough and conservative on certain issues like immigration and the war, probably in the hopes that the conservatives who hate her have short enough attention spans that they will abruptly start liking her. But she showed off her full-fledged pandering skills when she read that sermon in that ridiculous fake Southern drawl. Ah, sweet sweet political prostitution.

Of course, just so I can get both sides of the aisle irate at me, Giuliani is pretty miserable too. He was pretty popular in New York before 9/11, with a fantastic 37% approval rating, but then he managed to capitalize off of the terrorist attacks and become a hero who bravely followed cameras about after the disaster. Sure, he was a Nifongesque prosecutor, a narcissist who dismantled a fantastic police team to satisfy his over-inflated ego (not to mention that he basically doomed 100 firemen by not supplying them with the communication equipment that could have saved their lives), and is a dictator wannabe who tried to remove New York City term limits so he could stay in power. But hey, who's perfect?

I don't feel like commenting on the rest of the candidates, who are also losers except for Ron Paul. Paul, unfortunately, just isn't whorish enough to get elected to a higher office. Ah well. Regardless, I'm just wondering if anyone else feels at all frustrated like I am right now.

I hate elections.
Greill
26-03-2007, 22:05
I'm voting for that Mormon guy =D lol he seems to be anti-everything, which can't be that bad (I don't think, until he invades video games)

Romney?
(As a side-note, Gingrich and Giulliani have had multiple wives, but Romney has only had one.)
Greill
26-03-2007, 22:59
Is Greill trying to find more 'proof' the democracy 'doesn't work?

Not specifically- I did say I liked Ron Paul. But democracy isn't exactly elevated in my view by this crew of idiots and the cults of personality two of them have cultivated. (Hillary seems to have more trouble getting both sides of the aisle to respond to her pandering.)
Dukarbana
26-03-2007, 23:06
Makes me one to vote for one of the third parties, but that wouldn't make a damn bit of a difference.
Congo--Kinshasa
27-03-2007, 06:40
Makes me one to vote for one of the third parties, but that wouldn't make a damn bit of a difference.

True. Ultimately, we're left with choosing Bowl of Shit A or Bowl of Shit B.
Delator
27-03-2007, 07:03
I'm not voting for Bowl of Shit A or Bowl of Shit B, that's for sure.

Makes me one to vote for one of the third parties, but that wouldn't make a damn bit of a difference.

True. Ultimately, we're left with choosing Bowl of Shit A or Bowl of Shit B

I, for one, have no intention of voting for either bowl of shit.

3rd party might be a wasted vote...but it's my vote to waste, and I cannot hold my nose any longer. Both Democrats and Republicans stopped working for the benefit of the nation, and started working for the benefit of their own party, a long time ago...

...it'll take a true threat to their continued dominance to jar them out of this pathetic funk. I'll vote 3rd party until I see that change...though I suspect I will be doing so for quite some time.

Coincidentally, this means the Repub/Dem primaries are just another big reality TV show that I have absolutely no interest in. :p
Curious Inquiry
27-03-2007, 19:09
My political theme song, from now until Nov. '08
the Who (http://www.bemydemon.org/covers/fooled.htm)