RIGHT NOW!
It has become acceptable in our present system of “eternity” elections for political candidates to start running for reelection as soon as the get in. By the time election day itself actually arrives, many of us are sated with statements explaining what has not been done.
Next years presidential election started far too soon for us to maintain any sort of impetus until election day arrives. Everything to be said will have been repeated many times over, edited, re-worded, reclassified or denied far in excess of normal TV, press, radio and Internet capabilities. About all that's left is outdoor advertising which points to the physical location of the polls. We are rapidly coming to the point of asking: ”Who cares?”
Lack of attendance at the voting booths might well be tied to this lagging interest in elections as they wander along through months of bickering and badgering. Shorter runs might save some money and get more voters to the polls. An average voter is not going to sustain praise for his candidate for such a long time.
England is among those nations which have shorter runs for the political roses, or whatever may be at stake. Their's is more of a “race” and stronger interest is created over a shorter time span. Our elongated election periods not only give the citizen a better chance to really get to know the candidates as set forth. In some cases they come to know too much about specific office seekers ambitions and become either connivers or quitters. We have an average of around twenty-per cent of our qualified voters who actually vote. That is not good.
Thus far, the field has been one made up largely of Democratic party runners. The incumbent seems rather secure, but the lines of potential spoilers seems to increase ever week. Even if we still get a few “Johnny-Come-Lately” aspirants, they will still be in time to get in on the 2104 elections. A fresh face, a strong personality, a well-known name, or a well-financed campaign could well work some last-minute wonders for the Democratic Party.
Both major parties need to work toward some positive ways in which voter participation can be improved. Shorter campaigns with more intense activity, may well be the answer. Active “politicking” does not appeal to a great many people who wish to be less demonstrative and more discreet about likes and dislikes. Moral values play a far greater role in our elections than some experts seem to feel they do. Such feelings are intensified by long periods for discussion. A short campaign period would help allay many such feelings - real or imaginary.
.A.L.M. Aug. 3, 2003 [c413wds]
