Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > August > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTheater, pageantry — it’s just politics
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Modern political conventions are like a Super Bowl minus the game. They are the bling on the body politic: shiny, pretty and a touch goofy. They exist to be seen, more than to do. They are like a Miss America pageant where the fix is in. The Olympic opening and closing ceremonies without all that sweating in between.”
— Calvin Woodward, Associated Press
It’s a common refrain: Nothing important happens at political conventions anymore; they’re just theater. Some even argue that networks and reporters ought to refuse to cover the events because they’ve been reduced to mere infomercials.
That’s all nonsense, because if you were paying attention, a lot happened this week in Denver. Among other things, we saw the hopes and dreams invested in Hillary Clinton, the most serious female presidential candidate in our nation’s history, collide head on with the hopes and dreams invested in Barack Obama, the most serious black candidate in our nation’s history.
We also saw the Democrats struggle to reweave those two strands of their party back into one, a task they performed awkwardly but in the end effectively.
The doubters are certainly right — the image projected of party unity was created by drawing upon the entire range of theatrical skills: choreography, playwriting, lighting, music and not a little bit of acting. But politics has been just another form of theater for as far back as it is possible to trace such things.
The traditions of democracy and theater arose together, simultaneously, out of ancient Greece, two siblings born of the same mother. Politicians have long been actors, and actors have long been political —- the oldest plays in our possession are ancient Greek comedies that were satires on the politics of the day, and even now we acknowledge the link by joking that Washington is just Hollywood for ugly people.
So while the conventions have become nothing more than political theater, they remain essential for just that reason. A debate over tax policy or environmental laws doesn’t draw the public to politics; it is personality, drama, conflict. In fact, on the stage in Denver this week, we saw story lines and characters that themselves could be drawn from a Greek play:
The wife once scorned but now ascendant, and in the end denied the vindication she sought; the aging roue, reluctant to cede the stage to the younger interloper but forced to drink the bitter dregs; the mysterious, charismatic stranger who bursts upon the scene and alters everything.
Even the complaint that theater somehow pollutes politics is as old as history. In “The Republic,” written in the fourth century B.C., Plato complained about the rise of what he called a “theatrocracy,” in which those on the stage tried too hard to please their listeners. He believed “the sovereignty of the audience” gave the great unwashed too much sway over those who led them.
However, the theatricality of modern politics also has a purely pragmatic side. Leadership is a twofold challenge. First you have to decide on the right thing to do, then you have to persuade other people to do it. Campaigns exist to test that second skill, a candidate’s ability to communicate and generate support through the force of personality and intellect. And in that, a touch of theater is always useful.
Charisma — a Greek word, by the way — helps too, as millions of American voters no doubt saw last night in Obama’s acceptance speech. His Republican opponents have tried to undercut that appeal by dismissing Obama as “a celebrity,” but his communication skills clearly make them nervous.
That discomfort is understandable. In recent years, Republicans have vastly outperformed the Democrats in the theater of politics. In fact, if they had been able to run the government half as well as they could run campaigns, we wouldn’t have a country in which 76 percent of Americans now believe we have gone “seriously off on the wrong track.”
In next week’s Republican National Convention, the GOP will have their chance to explain that record to the American people, and explain how the next four years would be different. It promises to be an instructive performance, and not a little entertaining as well.
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Comments
By Fabb4eyes
August 29, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Bookman, lets not throw the GOP out with the cold potatoe soup. Without the Iraq War, Bush did a credible job, and McCain would be a fine president, a lovable president, and an entertaining president.
The county is fine. We’re still growing. People are buying guns, and tailgating, ordering pizzas and drinking beer. We’ve entered a mini-golden age.
BUT
There’s that confounded war. What’s been lost is credibility. Purpose. Trust. I dont believe a word Cheney or Bush say. That’s not to say they lie all day long, that’s only to say I dont believe them at all, not one word. The truth be damned.
The rosetta stone of our history that the aliens will find in the year 7575 is that photo of Powell showing that photo of WMDs in Iraq to the UN, and that photo of the Florida Election Official holding that ballot up to the light to search for hanging chads or dimpled pregnancies, or whatever it was.
Our flag has become a sanctuary, a last refuge, a shield. Now I dont know exactly what has to happen, that hasn’t already happened to us, that means the terrorist win.
I’m bitter. I’m washed up. I’m not ready to believe that the GOP wont steal 2008 too. There is incontestable evidence that Gore and Kerry won. The power behind the Iraq War makes me fear the future. Blackwater mercenaries roaming our streets…. keeping us all in line. Who would dare protest march? You’d be shot down like dogs.
No, I think we’ve become the tyranny we most despised. The flag has become a sanctuary.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 29, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
….and we’ve just seen Act I…..
The best is yet to come!
By RW-(the original)
August 29, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
How many of that 76% are people like me that think we’re on the wrong track because of unrestrained federal government control and spending? I’m pretty sure they aren’t looking to The Teleprompter with his laundry list of brand spanking new government control and spending.
but his communication skills clearly make them nervous
That ^^^ is just laughable. As long as he can get his answers loaded into a script at a press conference maybe, but otherwise you’ve got 20 minutes of blather if he’s asked his favorite color.
On the VP note, CNN and Fox say it won’t be Romney, Pawlenty, or Huckabee…PMSNBC also rules out Palin, but they’re also still starry eyed over The Speech from The Temple of Obama.
I think I’ll go do some work today and leave the blogging to Polly.
Later!
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
In recent years, Republicans have vastly outperformed the Democrats in the theater of politics.
You are so correct, JAY. And I think what makes the Repugs even more nervous is that Obama has topped them at their own game.
Instant Karma, as the great John Lennon once said…
By madison avenue
August 29, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
SHAZAM!
ZOWIE!!
08/28/08
The day America became a nation.
Obama 08: It’s not just for breakfast anymore.
China shoulda copyrighted her shindig.
By CJ
August 29, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Bookman wrote, “A debate over tax policy or environmental laws doesn’t draw the public to politics; it is personality, drama, conflict.”
Actually, I don’t think this statement applies to most on the left and right of the political spectrum. We know where we stand on the issues and why.
The big productions and the drama are almost entirely for the benefit of independents—those who claim to want to keep an open mind or claim to be moderate (i.e. “I don’t know whose ideas are better, so let’s compromise”), but in fact, are either too lazy to get informed or don’t trust their own judgments.
And so, for the sole benefit of this 30 to 40 percent of the electorate, we get personality, drama and conflict. Frustrating.
By RealityKing
August 29, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Plato was right.
By madison avenue
August 29, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Obama+Biden:
they can talk their way out of ANYTHING
By JAY BOOKMAN
August 29, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
That’s my favorite post of the week, RealityKing.
By RealityKing
August 29, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
And now it John McCain’s turn to define his “theatrocracy”. Will he shake up this race with a women VP pick? The suspense has already over shadowd last night’s theater..
By Fabb4eyes
August 29, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Pluto was wrong.
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
The suspense has already over shadowd last night’s theater..
Actually, Non-Reality, it’s very boring theatre this morning. McBush is just another Repug playing games to try to get attention. I’m sure all your loser candidates are not pleased with how inconsiderate McBush has been with them.
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Twin Cities Billboard
By ByteMe
August 29, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Goldie: the billboards make it look like they need to get a room.
By Taxpayer
August 29, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Gore was a bore — he put me to sleep last night. He just does not know how to speak effectively. I was trying to follow him and I kept asking myself “Doesn’t this guy know how to pause for effect, take a breath, gage the audience?” Bush, on the other hand, was a shoe-in. He brought Saturday Night Live to DC. Too bad that was the extent of his act.
As far as the conventions are concerned, I have and still do view them as the true kickoff for the new season — the first pep rally. After McCain has his turn, then we let the game begin and may the best team win. Still, I think it’s time to change the game to something with more than two teams. We need a cage wrestling match or Roller Derby or something so we can get the likes of Ron Paul and others into the fray.
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
McBush/Palin ‘08 — BWAAAAAAAAA!
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Taxpayer @ 10:08 — I’m anxiously awaiting Bob Barr’s announcement that he has picked Ron Paul as his running mate. Won’t that make November pretty exciting for the Repugs???
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
ByteMe @ 10:05, I know— that billboard’s truly an ugly picture.
By Ray
August 29, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I wondered when the chariot races were going to start. This whole dramatic spectacular still doesn’t make up for some empty suit making a speech. Was surprised to not have some blog space about the Clayton Co. School Board. Maybe we could kick that around soon.
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
About 30% of America will keep voting for the same old politics, over and over again, and expecting different results each time.
I believe our medical doctors say that’s the definition of true insanity.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 29, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Seems there are plenty of sour grapes for the Republicans to make whine with!
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
MCBush/Palin — NO WAY the majority of American women will vote for such an ANTI-CHOICE ticket in November!
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Sarah Palin: the next Dan Quayle for the Repugs!
Woo-hoooo!
By Dusty
August 29, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Oh my, was it Bookie Shakespeare or Plato trilling away this morning in the awe of last night’s moment?? Democrats have crowned their king and let the minstrels continue the act. Too bad they did not throw in a football game in the stadium. At least we would know the score, instead of an endless act of adoration
Now the prince of perilous parting of our taxes will continue his daring dance, tip toeing up the yellow brick road to a gratuitous nirvana!!
Meanwhile, McCain will hold the fort, keep the American way against terrorism and raise the flag with respect. It will not be a white one.
Americans not invested in willo’the wisps and other cornucopia will march steadily to the election booths and vote for the steady man to lead, not the singing bird. McCain 2008..the LEADER..not a perilous performer.
By Goldie
August 29, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
McBush has certainly sewn up his ANTI-CHOICE credentials with women now!
The Dems can’t wait for November!
By Midori
August 29, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Christ.
who let Crusty out of her cage?
By @@
August 29, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Woe is me Jay, I wasn’t able to watch Mercury descend onto the Greek Tragedy last night. I was engaged in watching a friend’s baby rise to her next stage of development.
Babies! Now there’s a self-love that we should all be nurturing, but alas, there are those………?
When I first saw “the staged” theatrics going up, I thought……..”Man oh man! OBlahMa’s gonna be sowing a lot of CORN on Invesco’s Field.”
Philosophically speaking; we’d all be better off if we strove to be a little less “Playdough” in a politician’s hands, and a little more Socratic in our thinking.
I’ll take Socrates, “dare to question” the aristocracy teachings any day. For I believe, it is the individual’s soul that is our higher part, the health of the soul is more important than the health of the body.
That’s my personal and political philosophy. I’m stickin’ to it.
It’s a POPcorn attack.
By GMAN
August 29, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Congratulations Gov Palin! The jar where he puts his teeth at night is over here. His “rheumatism” medicine is over there. His bed-pan is over here. His Polygrip is in the medicine cabinet, right next to the stool softener. He keeps his “nodoze” in his left hip pocket and his batteries for his hearing aid in his right. Make sure you cut his food into small enough pieces so that he won’t choke and don’t let him drink anything after 8pm or you’ll have a mess on your hands. Oh and by the way, sometimes he gets lost going to the bathroom! I think that’s about it. Have a nice two (2) months!
By @@
August 29, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
I may be late in getting this news, but
O-:MG, it’s Gov. Palin!!!!!!!!
Had the line of ogling men not been so long, I’da checked out her bio sooner.
She’s the perfect choice to derail OBlahMa’s engendered trainwreck.
I don’t know why I should be surprised. Not only has McCain employed more women on his senate staff, he pays a better wage than OBlahMa.
Excellent!
By GMAN
August 29, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Me thinks “Mr. Magoo” is looking for a pretty young thing to replace “Old Jezebel”. Just watch his eyes glaze over when they join hands. This is a fantastic pick for those who have harped on “experience”. I can’t wait to see the ads… Open wide Johnny and take your castor oil! LOL
By @@
August 29, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Was I seeing things earlier?
I would have sworn I saw Midori’s profanity here.
It’s not that unusual for our Dori girl. In fact, she has, on several occasions tagged not only me, but other women with her special touch.
Blog on Midori.
By Soothsayer
August 29, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Peak Oil Update - August 2008: Production Forecasts and EIA Oil Production Numbers
If this doesn’t scare the CR@P out of you, I don’t know what will.
Sorry, I don’t really care who McBush picks for VP.
By Soothsayer
August 29, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
You owe it to yourself to watch this video.
By Edward Brown
September 1, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
In Maureen Orth’s book, “The Importance of Being Famous…,” she coins the term when describing the current social infrastructure as the “Celebrity Industrial Complex.” In short, how the insatiable desire for the populous to be entertained is satisfied by the actors who feed them. The term actors can be anyone (politicians, athletes, businesspeople, etc…) who seek to capture the imagination of audiences by oft described “campy” antics. The Democratic Convention was no less than a magic carpet ride into what a president would look like in a land of make believe. A scripted world tour where a throng of 200,000 Germans assembled, the Obama plane as Air Force One and the White House backdrop at the Democratic Convention all speak to the suspension of reality. Shakespeare’s dictum, “All the world’s a stage and we’re all mere players…” has become a truism. Substance takes a backseat to style and anyone who isn’t reading the handwriting on the wall in his respective industry will be left behind.
Edward Brown Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute