Nostalgia As A Rhetorical Weapon
Posted Oct. 6 at 10:04 pm by Krist Novoselic
Elections are supposed to be about our future, and waxing nostalgic should have no place in choosing our leaders. But nostalgia is seeping into current campaign rhetoric, and it’s only serving as a distraction.
At last Thursday’s vice-presidential debate, Gov. Sarah Palin admonished Sen. Joe Biden. “There you go again, pointing backwards,” she said when Biden mentioned G.W. Bush. But it was Palin who was clearly “pointing backwards” in her attempt to resurrect a 1980 presidential debate zinger.
The McCain campaign is reviving more classic rhetoric by accusing Obama of “palling around with terrorists". This kind of statement is right out of G.W. Bush-Speak 101. Here’s the essence of a Bush-era presidential address: “My fellow Americans, it’s terrible how the terrorists are terrorizing us with their terrorism. . . ” After eight years of this kind of leadership, I have to say: Enough of the terrorism card!
A legitimate discussion of the threat of terrorist violence would be important. However, this isn’t about discussing security, it is only more BS. I don’t mean BS as an abbreviation of a popular colloquialism alluding to misstatements or screwy reasoning. It’s about B and S as two consonants—the difference between the names Obama and Osama. We’re supposed to connect the dots: Sen. Obama is somehow “palling around” in caves, or wherever, with Osama. National security hyperanxiety was good for Republicans in the 2002 and 2004 elections, and they’re trying to resurrect the fear to turn the 2008 campaign around.
The comment was about domestic terrorists. Does the McCain campaign really want to start a discussion about 1960’s-era radical groups? Of course they do, because that ancient culture war has been a staple of Republican campaigning ever since the 1968 presidential campaign. I was born in the ’60s, as was Obama and Palin. I don’t really remember the turbulence of that era. But I do remember the 1980s. So does the Obama campaign, and they’re resurrecting McCain’s role in the Keating Five and that banker bailout.
The “palling around” statement is really a nostalgic twofer. It ties Obama to the 1960s counterculture while attempting to harness anxiety by continuing Bush II fearmongering. The Republicans need to steer the dialogue away from the economy, and they’re trying to do so with their old campaign staples. But 700,000,000,000 is a big number, especially when counting taxpayer dollars. The party of small government, private initiative, and personal responsibility has lost its way. Empty-handed, they’re grasping for the good old days. They may find comfort in nostalgia, but the harsh reality is that their ideology lies in ruins.
Here’s a rhetorical blast from the past: It’s the economy, stupid! This statement was how Bill Clinton kept on message in his successful 1992 campaign for president. With Obama’s campaign surging, I’m starting to remember the 1990s. We may not bring grunge back, but how about that economic prosperity? Think about Mary Hopkin with a Hagstrom guitar and a fuzz pedal: “Those were the days, my friends, we thought they’d never end, we’d sing and dance forever and a day. . .”
Comments
I think the way to the future is for third parties to accept the way our system is set up to promote two main nat'l parties and focus instead on making the system work, first thru pushing together for the incorporation of Proportional Representation in state legislative elections.
I've written an initiative for CA and a polemic for GPCA members.
http://anewkindofparty.blogspot.com/2008/08/initiative-for-most-people-and-polemic.html
I know your working with Fairvote and their focus is on IRV, but I believ e this will not help third parties gain traction by virtue of winning seats and influencing policy changes. It also continues to direct too much attention to big elections that are too expensive and require too much hierarchy within the third parties. A host of thhird parties like Progressive Dane wd suffice to make our system work.
Posted Oct. 6 at 11:37 pm by dlwdlw
There was an energy in '92 and I thought it was going to be a majority but Bill Clinton only got 43% that still bugs me today.
I don't see the same energy today that I saw back then. It's more like 2000 with both candidates ending up 48-48 tied.
Of couse it could be 52-48 but I just don't get the vibe like something big is going to happen.
Back then we had an Anthem, SLTS. That whole album just put the country on a "change" trajectory. Where's the Anthem now? Brittany Spears says her new song is an Anthem but just "for the ladies".
Posted Oct. 7 at 1:33 pm by BuzzSpeaking of "nostalgia" check out this link to the
The Iron Heel
You may realize this is not the first time we have been at the summit of capitalism versus democracy! Perhaps, after reading the entire piece online you may even have an inkling of how to finally resolve and bring the power to the people.
"Am I self assured and overboard"...I think not evenso that song still rings in my mind Smells like teen spirit
Is it safer in the dark?...I do believe our little group will always be until the end..."hello hello...hello"
Posted Oct. 8 at 2:19 am by Taryn G.Its obvious why the right is doing this!
The economy is in the tank, and with their people having been in the executive branch for eight years, they cannot point fingers.
But trying to shift to cultural did not work in 1992. Voters wanted the economy addressed then. And they most certainly will want it being addressed now.
I am wary of Obama's lack of experience and public record. But I am more wary of a party which when seeing a literal economic meltdown, still can only believe bellbottoms are the biggest threat to the nation.
Posted Oct. 8 at 7:34 pm by RobinKrist. WHAT THE FUCK!!!!
Novoselic leaves Flipper, cancels tour
Bad news for those looking forward to see Flipper performing live with former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, as part of their reunion tour this fall.
According to Rolling Stone, San Francisco punks Flipper were forced to cancel their upcoming tour after bassist Krist Novoselic, formerly of Nirvana, left the band to take care of "responsibilities at home." Flipper are seeking a new bassist.
All concert dates listed on the band's MySpace have been removed. More info, including a press release from the band, can be found here.
Posted Oct. 9 at 9:25 am by AstralAstrayWow chris bet you never would be on TMZ's "Memba Them?" list. http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/memba_them__4#27134
Posted Oct. 9 at 9:26 am by robI'm a Brit, and have just spent 13 weeks in America, 1st 10 in the New England area, and the remaining 3 travelling in a little van from NJ to LA; and the whole time I was there, I saw just 3 posters/bumper stickers in support of McCain, and not a single person out campaigning for him. In contrast, I saw hundreds of Obama paraphinalia, and saw (and talked at length to) several Obama 'get out and vote' campaigners. And the incredible thing is the support Obama has over here in England too! I myself have an Obama 08 banner on my website. And having watched the recent debate, you are definately right, Krist, about the Reps using ancient rhetoric in their campaign.
Posted Oct. 9 at 10:44 am by JonnyP.S. Shame about you leaving Flipper; did you record the album with them at least?
An anthem? Sure, how about,
Posted Oct. 9 at 3:02 pm by buddyroo“[Nevermind] the Bollocks”
certainly that’s all one can smell around there.
or, stay local with,
“God save the Queen”
we didn’t mean it man,
vote her out,
thinking of that,
what exactly is your position on felons for Kings?
given your craft brings you around more felonies and felons, than an operative.
Arrivederci
Nice post. Tight. Ever think about a career in entertainment?
Posted Oct. 10 at 2:11 am by milos jefferson IIIBy the way, what's with the snakes?
I know this is off topic to the subject, but i might as well ask it. You attended the funeral of my great aunt Glenrose Hedlund, I was wondering how u knew her. It intrigued me to know that you where there...if you can get back to me i would really appreciate it, my email is Konman73@aol.com
Posted Oct. 12 at 10:24 pm by Konner Holzwart