Do you find American politicians parading their kids on TV like some kind of trophies almost too sickly for words?
Submitted 132 days ago by Asroc
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| Yes, pass the sick bucket! | |
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| 90 votes 46% | |
| No, it is important to prove to the voters you are a "real man". | |
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| 31 votes 16% | |
| Not sure. | |
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| 73 votes 38% | |
This is America, the nation where the republican candidates question your "values" and patriotism. They do not focus on issues, they are more worried about a person's religion then anything else. Obama got portrayed as an elitist, alien, black, Muslim who can not be trusted. He was forced to show to America that he is an ordinary guy with a family.
McCain left his first wife because she was disfigured as a result of a car accident and he did not like the way she looked, there is plenty more ammunition for the democrats to go after McCains values yet they seem to try to focus on the political issues (as they should)
So bringing the kids out is absolutely sick, but it was done to respond to show the nation what a pack of bastards the McCain camp is. If they can not fight a honest fight at home, what can we expect when it comes to domestic/world politics after they get into power.
This was not meant as a slam at BO by the way, thought of course his kids did remind me of the whole concept.
Apart from when one of Tony Blairs kids got pissed and threw up in public or somethign equally silly, I don't think I have ever known the name or sex or quantity of any of the UK politicians kids, nor ever wanted to.
It is only those who make the very top rank and have to do the state functions that we even get to know about their partners.
I think it's what America wants. In the 1950's one announcer (say, Walter Cronkite) would host the evening news and he'd get the news to the public just fine. Nowadays they have an old man, a young woman, and a young man do the news as if they're members of the family there to relate the news, announce when they have a new perm, tell about their kid's first day in Little League, and a whole lot of stuff that really isn't necessary just to deliver the evening news.
Bringing your kids onstage like some kind of trophies is just one step beyond the kind of show people want when they watch the evening news. Most likely, come time for the next State of the Union address, the next President will address Congress from his living room. In clear sight across the room you'll see the kids playing with their Wii, and mom will be seen strolling into the living room with popcorn and cold drinks for all, even dad. :-)
I think the public demands it, to be honest. They want to identify with their candidates. Look how many hoops celebrities have to jump through to keep their kids out of the press. I wish the politicians would stand up and say, "no", but they'd have to do it in concert.
Maybe ALCU or someone should bring a case against them for child cruelty :)
You are right TheSheep. The candidates kids shouldn't be a part of this at all. When they are of age to make up their own minds and it is their decision, fine. The younger kids should be home getting ready for school.
I must say, there being sod all else on I watched the DNC the last couple of nights on the Beeb. It all seems so odd to me, nothing like our political campaigns. The Barack love-in on the first night was a little bit vomit inducing. I understand why they do it, but it seems so wrong.
It certainly does.
I wish this site was truly global enough to ask if America is the exception or if we are.
Yes, I'd be really interested to know that.
Here in Canada that does not seem to be the case, neither in Holland or New Zealand where I have lived.
It's touchy-feely to appeal to their main bloc of voters. :)
Rarely do I put any stock in that. Figure the kids have been coached. But I was surprised to see Obama take his girls of such a young age and let them speak freely and clearly in front of reporters. Shows he has little to hide. Girls that age will do and say anything when given that kind of attention. He had no fear of what they would say. I can't think of a single other politician who would do that.
Especially girls...lol ! They talk the most. No matter what angle you look at it - those girls will not have a 'normal' life living in the white house. Not normal to the average person's standards anyway. Celebrities kids have the same issues. I have heard that Obama is very much against putting his kids 'out there' - probably concerned about their safety most. But under the circumstances, I don't see anything wrong with a couple of kids talking about their dad so that we all get to know him like they do. They seem pretty normal to me. Not abused in anyway. Imagine yourself as a child with your dad running for president. Wouldn't it seem 'weird' if you were sheltered from ALL the activity.
If you saw them hamming it up after Michelle Obama's speech, they were pretty clearly not scripted. And they were VERY cute. ;o)
I don't find it sickly, but I don't think it's necessary.
I don't see anything wrong with it, the kids are going to be celebrity's no matter what happens now, if they are seen or not, they are part of historic happenings. No way will life be normal (?) for that family.
Did you watch SNL 'way back when it was new? Carter was in office, and they did a skit with the Secret Service 'guarding' Amy by standing on either side of her at her desk. Pop quiz - the Secret Service guys were feeding her answers. One question was "Who was President during the Civil War?" SS answer: "Jefferson Davis." Another kid started squalling "She's cheating!" - Secret Service guy grabbed the kid, stuffed her head into the desk and started slamming the lid up and down on it. Still stands in my mind as the funniest thing I've ever seen on that show. We do get a lot of mileage out of political offspring.
I cant say I remember seeing that but it does sound hilarious!
I don't really care one way or another. It annoys me that politics in this country demand that sort of thing (because he'd be called an elitist muslim if he didn't...) but I feel like now isn't necessarily the time to completely change the way elections are run. Once the presidency is won, yes, then things can change - but until then, it's still the old dogs' game.
And frankly, I was much more creeped out at the endless stream of pictures of Hilary with children on her video on ABC before her speech yesterday. I understand that children and children's rights have been a big part of her political priorities and whatnot but damn. It was a little pied piper, if you ask me.
'Has to appeal to the YouTube generation, ...whip out the cam even if you don't have anything particularly interesting to relate.