Say something—you’ll win votes!

While viewing the recent carnage wrought upon the US East Coast by hurricane Sandy, it seemed probable that President Obama gained political ground from his appearances throughout his strife-torn land.

Such tragedy playing out in the final days of a presidential election caused a sticky situation for campaigners. People losing their lives, unassessed billions in damages and major infrastructure shut down is not the atmosphere in which to be spruiking political promises. Too easily, that could be barbed as political opportunism, particularly for a then hopeful like Mit Romney.

The media will, of nature, concentrate on Obama because he was the president—the main man. And so it follows with the ubiquity of dog-poo in a municipal kennel-run that the charismatic Obama got top billing. “We are here for you,” his mantra went, “we will follow up and give you whatever you need.”

No doubt soothing words to those beside themselves with despair. In calmer days to come they may recall bitter experiences like job loss, institution collapse, bank scandals and that their once mighty nation is spiralling down the dunny. “Call your governor,” exhorted the convincing orator to millions of suffering viewers, “tell them to call my office in the White House.” And there he exposed the spin!  Give me a call at the office, we’ll do lunch, sort of talk. So, some poor, bugger in Manhattan whose basement is flooded is going to get a call through to the President of The United States of America in his White House office? Yeah, right!

While watching Obama’s outpouring of compassion, which was no doubt genuine, I became swept by a sense of déjà vu. Barack Obama’s image could be switched with that of Anna Bligh, the ex-premier of Queensland during her TV appearances covering the 2011 Brisbane floods as the import of her words and Obama’s were similar.

Similarity in describing a natural disaster is natural. But, are those words and platitudes of similarity supported by deeds—action on the ground—promises delivered? Obama’s offer to call the White House is pure malarkey; only the gullible would think not. They were, however, words of comfort only days before the election with little or no time for shortcomings to be exposed, as was the aftermath of the New Orleans disaster in 2005. Remember, voting is not compulsory in the US.

When the Queensland floods struck, Anna Bligh’s political fortunes were terminal, the state was crumbling. While not wanting to diminish her cameo appearances at various locations around the clock, she did win almost heroin status for her energy and dedication to office. However, in the mop-up her performance, or much of it, became seen as orchestrated spin for political gain, a triumph that wore off like dental anaesthetic. As the waters receded so did Bligh’s temporary boost, long before she could capitalise at the polls. The electorate began to focus on administrative incompetence and Anna Bligh was trounced. The long, Labor hold was smashed.

Bligh’s TV appearances, and probably the same with the Obama’s takes, left the viewer with no way of knowing if the speaker is genuine or spinning. Only those suffering the ordeal know if the words are true or hollow when relief is promised. Victims have no path of objection at the time and for some time after, if ever.

Anna Bligh stood before cameras solemnly advising how milk and other essentials had been distributed to a particular area, “beginning three days ago...,” she said. Within minutes, talkback radio aired callers claiming not to have received any milk or aid. That information did not make TV. But that was just one of many such incidents. Was Bligh spinning for her political life or was she misinformed by an incompetent bureaucracy? Will this be the same for Obama now that he has won?

Natural disasters have an uncanny knack of goodly timing for political aspirants. Only months prior to the November 2001 federal elections John Howard was as wanted as a dirty Kleenex on Bondi beach. Behold, “The children overboard affair.”  “illegal boat people and queue jumpers” flooding our shores won huge support. There’s that déjà vu feeling again.

Fuelled by the disgust of potential immigrants throwing their children into the sea, Howard’s popularity soared. The polls did an about-turn and the Coalition took the day. Only later was it found that no children had been thrown overboard. For truth to make political effect it was too late. Then defence minister Peter Reith took the rap.

Will déjà vu send shivers up our spines again as we prepare for the next federal elections? What calamity can snatch victory from predicted defeat as voters seek to reward, punish, or succumb to propaganda? Will this entrenched charade of political insincerity ever change? Not unless the tooth fairy forms a new federal party, I fear.

Thought for the week: How can you tell when a politician is lying? When they open their mouths!

Comments

[TassieRooster]

1.

We are already experiencing Australia's greatest (un)natural disaster. It is known as the Rudd/Gillard government, the worst in Australian History. No amount of spin or lying feral attacks upon Tony Abbott's character will erase this disaster in the electorates' collective mind. The sell-out to the insane Greens & their job-destroying "policies" just to remain in power won't be forgotten, not even if a Cyclone Tracy type disasters hit all our capitol cities during the election.

[Jason Kent]

2.

Democratic have been desperate for national healthcare for years. Around the world people love national healthcare - the U.S. is still way out to the right on this (and rightly so) but it's a tough argument. Even Romney introduced a version of it in his state. Other Democratic leaders tried to introduce national healthcare and failed - it became the holy grail of the democratic politics.

Also, people still blame Bush for the recession and rightly so, unemployment has started to creep down and of course we can't forget Obama is the first black President.

I can see plenty of logical reasons why Democrats would not desert Obama in this election and as likeable as Romney is (I preferred him and his policies) no-one can deny he's a flip-flopper. The republican primaries made that pretty clear.

No doubt Sandy helped Obama too but comparing what's happening there to what's happening here is a bit of a stretch. Our Labour party won a second term as did Obama, but Gillard and her gang of corrupt clowns would never have survived in the U.S. No way. Not a chance in hell.

[Jason Kent]

3.

Correction line 1, not Democratic, "Democrats"

[Rick]

4.

Didn't the republican Governor of Jersey actually praise Obama himself?

[Paz]

5.

The similarities are clear. Both Leftoid Greeny governments. Both led by 'untouchables'. Can't attack Obama or you're racist. Can't attack Gillard or you're a misoginist. Both leaders vouch for a communist/socialist/marxist left wing regime. Something both countries have fought against since the end of WW2.
I can't believe what is going on. I thought the lefty monkey was gone.
Let's just hope Tony doesn't loose the unlosable election next year.