This is the first general election I am seeing in this country but I get the sense that the elections are becoming very Americanised. For instance, the focus on personalities and personalities alone that is the American election seems to be a relatively new trend here. Considering that this is not presidential system, not sure where this needless focus on the leaders (and their families) will lead to. Second, the role of media in shaping popular opinion seems to have scaled new heights recently - I am yet to meet a reasonable someone who thinks that Clegg came out strong against Cameron and Brown in last week's debate. Yet, after the media declared him the winner, the Lib Dem surge in the polls has been pretty unbelievable - it of course remains to be seen whether this will convert to actual votes but Cleggmania, I am convinced, is totally a media invention.
Still, there are these minor things that makes one a little hopeful. Like when commentators talk about "early days of the campaign" when referring to three weeks before the actual election date. Like Miriam Gonzalez Durantez. May there be more of her. And may she stick to her guns especially now that her husband is doing so well.
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6 comments:
Surely elections are becoming Americanised because the parties have been using American electioneering experts to propel their campaigns?
Meanwhile, I wonder why Cameron's Etonian background is held as elitist, while Clegg's Westminster education is glossed over.
Feanor: Guess so but it is not just the parties. The media punditry is getting more and more inane.
I know. Clegg is posher than posh! See this article which supposedly explains the subtle differences. So comic.
I'm not sure you can blame the media for the Lib Dem upsurge - immediately after the last debate, ITV posted a poll in which people (not sure if it was viewers or the debate audience) gave the victory to Clegg.
Who is some kind of polyglot superman, it appears...
Am I alone in being inordinately fond of Gordon Brown?
Cat: Something to do with where you live perhaps? :)
To be honest, I find myself liking Brown despite myself. In the TV debates for instance, he has this sneaky way of getting people to like him. In yesterday's debate, I thought he did quite well. It ain't his fault that Clegg is more TV-genic. As for Cameron, if only he stopped this irritating habit of trying to look Prime Ministerial, I'd take him seriously.
Feanor: Did you see last night's debate? Thoughts?
Nope, I missed it, I'm afraid.
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