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'The Real Deal'

14/10/2015

1 Comment

 
Yesterday saw the first of the Democrat Presidential TV debates. Forget the other contenders, Hilary and Bernie are the only ones that matter. Joe is still biding his time. Hilary as expected spent her time distancing herself from Obama but mindful of the President's large residual following stayed in touch. She objected to the protracted and protected trade deal with Europe (TTIP) and the Keystone pipeline proposals but fell back into line over gun control. Whilst, Bernie, a self declared democratic socialist offered a critic of Wall St and its relationship with Washington that many on Main Street found 'on the money' . As Hilary displayed mastery of her brief, moving effortlessly from domestic to foreign affairs Bernie focused on his belief that many citizens have been 'permanently' left behind by the remorseless neo-liberal capitalist process that insists on inequality. Who won?
 
To answer this we have to consider the very notion of winning. Hilary demonstrated her experienced hand supported by a finely tuned intellect - she has always been brighter than Bill - however, unlike her husband Hilary finds its almost impossible to disguise her inner desire to be President. Therefore, many have concluded that this lady will say anything to get elected. Hence, her predilection is to hold on 'too tightly to the handle bars' that would place her in the White House. Conversely, Bernie, is not holding onto anything but his ideas as he is of an age when power for the sake of it is hugely unattractive whilst being able to use this process as a place to expound his views is. Therefore, when Hilary spoke many agreed with her message but few trusted the messenger, yet when Bernie spoke there sat an authenticity that only comes when you have understood the golden rule - take what you do/what you care about seriously but never take yourself too seriously.
 
Hilary suffers from that unbending, unflinching notion, in built(in bred) into the political/social elite, that they deserve their place and space in history. Bernie meanwhile is just grateful that he has been given this opportunity to tilt at the Wall St windmill that will not be disturbed or distracted by his 'socialist nonsense'. By the way, if you think this particular fight is difficult to predict, think again, Hilary will take this contest relatively easily because she has the money, whilst Bernie will look back on his moment in the sun with a degree of smiling satisfaction. But before Hilary gets too sure of herself - if that is possible - watch out for Joe who is spending his time gathering financial backing while Bernie takes lumps out of Hilary's credibility. Just like sex politics is all about timing.
 
Bernie is a real citizen, which makes him attractive to many that are disaffected by the modern day construction of a computerised, digitised, synthesised and increasingly, homogenised world but Hilary understands power which she finds unremittingly attractive, and that is the real dystopian deal.
 

KK
    



 

 

 

 

 

 
            
             
 
        
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    Dr J Ken Kennard Professor of Politics and History - Master Program in American Studies - Universiteit Gent

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