Stephen VasciannieTHE DEMOCRATIC donkey and the Republican elephant continue moving down the United States presidential track. The Democrats, with the long-jawed Kerry in front, appear to have benefited slightly from their post-Boston bounce: in the period since the Democratic Convention, however, the donkey has not clearly moved into the lead. The donkey has, from all indications, merely trotted forward, being bogged down ironically with issues concerning the war record of the presidential aspirant.
The Republican elephant now hopes that in the wake of last week's Convention, it will be able to pound along towards victory. The Republicans, with their leader, George W, who swaggers with a walk, have clearly decided to personalise the campaign. Thus, at the Convention - strategically held in the shadow of September 11 - they paraded the most popular celebrity politicians from the Republican camp: Laura Bush, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Dick Cheney, and Rudolph Guiliani. They also brought out Democrats McCain and Miller, one to give comfort to moderate Republicans, the other to throw red meat to the anti-Kerry lions.
On both sides, it's all very scripted, and quite fascinating. Kerry, the war hero, turns up for duty with the patriotic fervour of an Oliver North, but when the attacks on his record rise in tempo, he does not react swiftly; he hesitates, gives too little too late, and is thus unnecessarily wounded. At the same time, Bush, who is not known to reach the dizzy heights of political eloquence, uses this to his own advantage with self-deprecating remarks about his rhetorical skills.
GRASSROOTS
If you watch network television, you will, to be sure, have some sense of the issues that might influence the race between the Elephant and the Donkey. But, the campaign literature is also helpful. Because I subscribe to certain American magazines, my name has apparently been "sold" to both American parties, and the campaign literature always addressed "Dear Friend" has started to arrive. What do the two parties say about themselves, and what do they want from me, I wonder.
The Republicans, in a letter from the party chairman Ed Gillespie (simply dated "Wednesday morning") seem to know me even more than John Kerry does. Twice, in a two-page letter, he emphasises the importance of the contribution to be made by "grassroots leaders like you", and at another point he places me in the category of a "grassroots activist." He also kindly sends me a picture of President Bush (with a personal note from the president thanking me as a "grassroots leader"). It seems that both parties place much store on my non-existent political activity on their behalf!
The parties also take good shots at each other in their letters. On the Republican side, Dear Friend is told that the Democratic opponents are "tough and determined to stop the Bush/Republican agenda", and that they will seek to do this by reclaiming total control of the government. The Democrats, however, are also accused of grandstanding, of levelling false charges, of supporting failed big government, and of promoting freewheeling tax and spend policies. Then the Republicans throw in their traditional shot: "We counter the Democrats by getting our message out past the liberal media echo chamber and to concerned citizens"
ISSUES
John Kerry for the Democrats is no different on this point. He indicates that "the Bush Republicans will fight to hold on to power," he notes that they have the largest campaign war chest in political history, and he argues that they are waging a no-holds-barred, "say anything, do anything" campaign. He further argues that this is a contest between two fundamentally different visions of America, with his vision including the defence of middle class families, protection of the environment, as well as defence of Social Security and Medicare, civil rights, and a woman's right to choose.
The Democratic literature tends to be more focused on policy issues, but not by a large margin. So, on the Republican side, my Dear Friend letter emphasised President Bush's tax cuts, stimulating economic growth, developing a comprehensive energy policy, protecting Social Security, and strengthening homeland security.
One striking thing on the issues: homeland security gets only a brief mention in the Republican literature, and none in John Kerry's letter; similarly, neither letter contains the word "Iraq". And yet, if you follow the network news, Iraq and homeland security, must be the most central questions for the race in November. Finally, both letters ask me for money. This, I am sure, was the real point all along: the Donkey and the Elephant need cash to gallop.
Stephen Vasciannie is Professor of International Affairs, Head of the Department of Government, UWI, and a consultant in the Attorney-General's chambers.
