Progressive Nation

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Opinion

I have been disturbed by some of the recent developments in the Presidential election. The April 16th debate in Philadelphia was a prime example of how fierce and unhelpful the campaign political discourse has become. Though as an Obama supporter I was disappointed that he had a not-so-stellar showing in the debate, the superficial statements, insignificant squabbles and concealed falsities by both candidates concerned me even more. The recent statements in which Senator Clinton blatantly and consciously lied about her visit to Bosnia in 1996 (or as she said in the debate, "I just said some things that weren't in keeping in what I knew to be the case"), and the misrepresentations of facts from both candidates in the debate, have caused disillusionment and a lack of interest in the electoral process relative to earlier. Factcheck.org, a website that tracks misstatements and false "facts" expressed by politicians, has list after list of instances of candidates skewing information for their political gain, including many during the Pennsylvania debate.



Like everyone else, I hope that the Democratic nomination is secured as soon as possible. However, until that happens, I hope the Democratic candidates can find a way to remain above the pettiness and empty promises that so often permeate the political sphere. While I believe that everything in a politician's past is fair game and should be discussed with the public, I am tired of hearing the same answers to inconsequential questions and eagerly anticipate a new spark that should enter the election when a nominee is determined. There need not be any more televised debates in which the same issues are repeated, but rather a committed decision by the candidates to reinvigorate their followers and transcend the trivialities of yesterday.

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