The Byron York article I noted in a previous post raises an issue about politicking during the Christmas season. It’s unseemly. I hate it. Everyone should hate it, even if only out of respect for those who think there are more important things than politics.
The lion’s share of the blame for injecting politics into the Christmas season ought to go to the state legislatures that front-loaded the nominating process. If citizens are serious about not wanting to have their holidays spoiled or politicized, then they ought to send a message to their legislators about the timing of these primaries and caucuses.
Of course, a candidate can’t call for a political hiatus without seeming to seek a political advantage, but we pundits can, especially if it’s done by all sorts of people with all sorts of perspectives and allegiances.
So, fellow pundits: are you willing to demand a political truce around the Christmas holidays? No politicking, no campaign coverage for a few days at least? And a willingness to criticize anyone who violates the truce? Just chestnuts roasting on an open fire, nine lessons and carols, Midnight Mass, and Christmas Day afternoon at the movies for those who aren’t anticipating a turkey-induced afternoon nap.
Are you kidding? The holidays are the only time some of us get for heated political arguments with our families! Nothing augers Christmas cheer and says "I love you" like a good old-fashioned knock down, drag out with Grandma! O.k., maybe my family is just a bit weird . . .
Fine, but Mike and Barack and Hillary and Mitt and... don't need to be butting into family traditions.
This is Iowa's fault for putting its silly caucus within the 12 days of Christmas.
Quite true. A little peace would be nice, in this campaign, especially. It is relentless and tedious. Ohio's primary is in March and I do not want to go vote unless there is a "none of the above" option. On NLT I find I am even grateful for the global climate news, which is a battle just as tiresome and relentless as this presidential campaign. I identify with the Italian malaise.
Do you really think that if Iowa's caucus was in some more reasonable month that this bunch would take a break from the long campaign? I don't think so. This is like brand advertising. If someone was quiet for a week the press might forget about him.
I feel like a kid in the backseat of a car on a very, very long drive, "Are we there yet?" and I suspect I might fall asleep before we arrive.
I have been fascinated by politics for forty years, since I was in my mid-teens, so I find I cannot take my eyes off the process, but it is an elephant's pregnancy of a long time to wait for the result, which I suspect will be unsatisfactory, anyway.
Merryappy Chismakwanzucchah.