In his regular column last week, Progressive Point-maker and unapologetic Obama supporter Jacob Shelly weighed in on the development of the 2008 electoral season's debate cycle. Citing CNN and CBS poll numbers and replacing other pundits' opinions with his own, Shelly declared all of the vice presidential and presidential debates to be overwhelming Democratic victories. A closer investigation into his piece, however, reveals an argument fraught with illogic. While Mr. Shelly has the freedom to insert any amount of bias into his own editorial, the lack of a rational claim necessitates a response. Let's begin with his first comparison of talking heads Pat Buchanan and Paul Begala to "ESPN analysts...[squabbling] over who really came out on top."
At first glance, this claim of voter supremacy over pundits is sensible. In reality, the American electorate has not actually voted, excluding absentees and early votes; the game is far from over. Furthermore, when 10-20% believe the debate is a tie, and 10-25% claim their vote may change before Election Day, Mr. Shelly's conclusions lose serious traction. Regarding Mr. Shelly's comments on the first debate, perhaps Mr. Obama "came across as more presidential" by avoiding the questions he was asked? If so, Mr. McCain acted equally 'presidential', but possesses a senatorial track record longer than a half-term to verify off-point claims. More importantly, what does the term "presidential" mean at this point anyway? Surely, appearing similar to President Bush would be devastating to either candidate. But if relentlessly attacking the policies of the current administration on most issues and then crediting yourself with their decision to speak about nukes with European leaders qualifies as presidential, then such a characterization of Senator Obama is justified. It was Shelly's depiction of the vice presidential debate, however, which clearly exposes a willingness to accept his candidates' allegations that ultimately trump reason.
Claiming Biden's responses amounted to a "career performance" in which "he sounded like a vice president," surely Shelly must have been using Dick Cheney as a point of reference, as Senator Biden consistently invented his Orwellian version of history to showcase foreign policy expertise. Biden's assertion that "we kicked Hezbollah out of Lebanon?" It never occurred, and I've been unable to find any event even remotely similar to his claim. Amazingly, Biden actually attempted to argue that Obama's infamous "no pre-conditions" meeting promises were "simply untrue." This was quite a feat, considering Biden rebuked Obama last year after a Democratic debate in which Obama simply said, "I would" when asked if he would meet leaders of states including Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea without pre-conditions. Senator Biden stood less than 10 feet from Senator Obama during such an answer, and pretended a few weeks ago as though this never occurred.
Finally, Shelly accepts the notion that McCain is viewed as "the more typical politician." Again, what does this actually mean? Are people comparing him as a typical long-term senator, with Obama, an atypical half-term senator? Are they comparing him with Governor Palin, excoriated on the left for having so little experience as one of those "typical politicians?" Or are they comparing him with President Bush, who managed to convey himself as a drinking buddy instead of a "typical politician," and is now despised by most of his fellow citizens? To sum up, Shelly's flaw lies in the implications of a Democratic victory in the debates - a Democratic president elected on November 4th. Undoubtedly, if politicians refuse to directly answer questions, victory comes through style. In this respect, Obama and Biden prevailed. But the now cringe-worthy "lipstick on a pig" proverb still contains concise truth: style should never trump ideas and substance. And if American voters have become so personally invested in politicians rather than the ideas and principles they claim to believe in and strive to uphold, on Election Day, nobody wins.
Mary Jane Egan Sophomore, School of Public Affairs
