S-l-o-w-l-y, but surely, we sink into the quicksand of personality...

[kentuck]

It's gotten to the point where ridiculous is the norm. Who do you think was the most handsome - Jimmy Carter or Ted Bundy? Never mind what else you might know about the two individuals.

The recent polls compare McCain and Obama in a similar vein. Who has the best barbecue? Who is the best kisser? Every day, it becomes more and more a personality contest between the two candidates for President. No problem, Obama can win in one of those types of contests?

In fair and open competition, it would be no problem. But the media is the referee in these contests and they tend to favor McCain. He is more of a "leader". More people would trust him to be Commander-in-Chief. At least, everybody knows where he stands, etc. These are very powerful personal talking points. Unfortunately, they are only opinions - not facts.

But there is little talk of who is responsible for the banks going under? For $4.00 per gallon gas? For the tearing down of our military? For the huge debt and deficits? For the lies that got us into an unnecessary war? For the economy and the loss of jobs? For the torture and law-breaking of the last eight years. Or the solutions for these problems? That is not important.

The media would much rather divert people's attention to more obscure issues. John McCain is a war hero. Obama has no experience. John McCain can be trusted. Obama is a flip-flopper.

This is all fine and dandy but the end result is to make the voter think of this contest in a different light. Never mind that one is tied to the hip of the most destructive and criminal Administrations of our lifetimes. That is not to be discussed in this campaign.

[sui generis]

1. Well, realistically speaking though

Charisma is a HUGE part of why people who can't be bothered to learn about the issues will somehow choose someone to vote for anyway.

It's kind of like the last round of Survivor where if you didn't bother to learn the middle names of Suzie's nephew's three cats the only thing that will save you is your winning personality or your over the top dank evil-queenness.

The unfortunate part is that the MSM seems to fall into that category themselves; don't understand the issue? Then talk about somebody they dated in fourth grade and whether that hairstyle is age appropriate or who looks good in a turban.

d'oh.

[kentuck]

2. But they even try to re-define charisma...

It's difficult to defeat the propaganda machine.