Let the mudslinging begin!

Now that this presidential campaign is down to three contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democrats and John McCain for the Republicans, the real mudslinging has begun in earnest. McCain's speeches are already assuming that Obama is the inevitable Democratic nominee and is castigating him as giving pretty speeches but lacks the real experience to keep this country safe from terrorism. Hillary is also pitching Obama's lack of experience and is positioning herself as the only one with enough experience to lead this country. She's using the "pretty speeches aren't going to cut it" message as well. And now there is this whole controversy over lifting phrases by both Obama and Clinton and they're each accusing each other of said misdeeds. She's channeling Obama's "change" message and allegedly, Obama borrowed some phrases from the governor of Massachusetts without crediting him, so people are trying to use any tack they can to tear down their opponents. Everyone's got their attack dogs out to try to tear down their opponents. However, I have yet to hear really angry or negative words out of Obama. There are some who don't think he's got the toughness to lead this country as a result, who think he's too naïve, peddles too many false hopes, and that seems to be the main attack against him by both Clinton and McCain. I expect things to get a lot worse as the primary season continues, particulary if, by some chance, Obama wins Texas and Ohio in two weeks, particularly from the Clinton camp. They are nothing if not relentless in their pursuit of a "Clinton Restoration".

And now, there are allegations against McCain regarding some inappropriate relations with a female lobbyist. Supposedly, there was an article in the New York Times detailing some kind of questionable relationship between McCain and this woman. Whether I believe it or not, I don't know, but I expect other political skeletons to be unearthed before this campaign season is over. It's just the way the game is played anymore and everyone loves scandal if it somehow tarnishes an opponent of their favorite candidate. Of course, mudslinging is nothing new. This is not a product of our current era. This practice goes back in time almost to the beginnings of this country. Ferocious presidential campaigns are a part of our history. This one isn't as mean spirited as ones that I can remember going back well into my childhood, and that surprises me in a way, but in a way, it doesn't. Given the angst ridden years we've suffered under the Bush-Cheney years, I think that people are hungering for something different, for change, for an end to the "nattering nabobs of negativity", to quote a famously unpopular vice president. I think people are also weary of all the fearmongering we've had to suffer under Bush. Even yesterday, he castigated Congress because of failure to re-authorize the Protect America Act, some law that gives immunity to the telecommunications companies and gives the government power to eavesdrop on our phone calls and e-mails. Bush is continuing to hark his "evildoers" message and how now, America isn't safe anymore because of this law not being renewed or some such stupid thing. More mudslinging, this time aimed at both Houses of Congress having Democratic majorities by a Republican President. More divisiveness, more negativity, more mudslinging, more anger, more nothing getting done in Washington. Get out your duct tape and plastic sheeting to protect yourself from all the mud being thrown around, 'cause it's only going to get worse before it gets better!