Politics of Fear

In an October 10, 2008 campaign event now thought to depict John McCain in a good light, a woman in the audience said she could not vote for Barack Obama because "he's an Arab." McCain shook his head and said, "No ma'am, he's a decent family man, a citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that's what this campaign is all about." Later, however, McCain brought up Obama's alleged association with William Ayers, a 1960's radical. So much for Mr. Nice Guy.

Yesterday, in a column for Huffington Post, Robert Reich says "The biggest motivator in this election isn't enthusiasm about either of the candidates. The Republican base has never particularly liked Romney, and many Democrats have been disappointed in Obama. The biggest motivator is fear of the other guy."

Reich goes on to say, "Republicans are well-practiced in the politics of fear and the logistics of the big lie. The challenge for Obama and Biden and for the rest of us over the next four weeks is to counter their fearsome lies with the truth."

The Grouch

In 2008, John McCain was struggling in the Iowa polls as the presidential race wound to the finish. McCain stopped by the Des Moines Register for a lengthy chat on the last day of September. As reported by The Washington Monthly, "It didn't go well. ... the transcripts alone don't convey just how angry and sarcastic McCain became when challenged."

Today, there is no end to the advice presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are receiving in advance of Wednesday's first debate. Many say that style will be more important than substance: looking and acting presidential will be paramount.

In a recent The Huffington Post article, political strategist Hilary Rosen offered this advice for President Obama: "Stay nice. ... One of the greatest gifts America has is a president who is kind and warm with a big smile and compassionate heart.  That is the president who will win the first debate."

In the Tank?

During the 2008 presidential elecgtion, a Rasmussen Reports survey showed that, "49% of voters believe most reporters will try to help the Democrat [Obama] with their coverage, up from 44% a month ago. Just 14% believe most reporters will try to help McCain win, little changed from 13% a month ago. Just one voter in four (24%) believes that most reporters will try to offer unbiased coverage."

Conservative blog Redstate thought that voters would "correct for reporters' cheerleading" to the benefit of John McCain.

A related flap occurred recently when it was reported that major news agencies were giving "quote approval" to the Obama and Romney campaigns. Public distaste with the practice has led news organizations to reconsider. Read more about it at The Huffington Post.