The presidential primaries are heating up, but no one with amicrophone and camera seems interested. The California recall, andsubsequent race for governor, has proven its ability to monopolizenational news and media coverage. Even the West Coast night showhost Jay Leno has exclusively adopted the comedy rich politicalatmosphere as inspiration for his political satire.
Thanks in part to the celebrity power of Arnold Schwarzenegger,focus on the West Coast event has meant a decline in coverage of animportant and pressing issue for the country as a whole: thepresidential primaries.
The media’s negligent approach to the primaries, oranything that doesn’t smell of pure entertainment(“Action Hero” included), reveals not only the mediaagenda and goal, but also a general perception of its viewers:people want self-interested amusement and pleasure, not informationand facts.
Although much of the blame for the lack of coverage can bepinned on the Golden State or a disinterested public, theDemocratic Party has also failed to make the process of eliminationeasier for the regular Joe.
The pack of potential Democratic presidential candidates remainsvast and diverse leaving one drawback to the two party systemglaringly apparent: differing or even contrasting beliefs ongovernment can be represented within a party that carries a single”Republican” or “Democrat” banner.
In an attempt to minimize the confusion many assign peopleratings (like those appearing on the GOP website) ranking Democratsfrom “ultra-liberal” to “moderate,” butlabels never tell the whole truth.
During past primaries when states like New Hampshire, Iowa, andSouth Carolina outweigh the importance of California, candidatescome under much scrutiny throughout the primary season.
A good deal of slander and mudslinging emerges in a well-coveredprimary as potential candidates in the same party take shots atpartisan brethren.
In short, primaries of the past often enhance the advantage ofthe incumbent, but this year might be different.
If anyone is assuming that the race for president is as good aswon, perhaps they should reconsider that stance.
When the media exhausts its opportunity for the state news, itmight focus its cameras on the country’s rocky pathway aheadon the international stage,or its troubled economy.
By that time, a single candidate and united party will be ableto offer a simplified, one-dimensional alternative to a nowdifficult effort abroad and at home — and”simple” is what the people like to hear.
