Politics: The Art of Slime

Politics: The Art of Slime

The man who is schooled in the art of political destruction sits in a mahogany bar called Morton’s in Washington, D.C., a hangout for Republican consultants and lobbyists, and occasionally Congressman John Boehner, who meet to drink cocktails and talk shop under pale lights. A veteran of past presidential campaigns, and an associate of Mitt Romney’s team, he sips a stiff drink and talks about the imperatives of the 2012 presidential election.

“How are we going to punch him every fucking day in the face with the best fucking message that is going to drive voters in our favor?” he asks. The face in question is that of President Barack Obama. “How do we do it nationally? How do we do it in the states? How do we do it over and over and over? We’re not going to win the fight with a knockout punch; we’re going to win it with kidney blows that make your opponent so feeble that he can no longer raise his hands to cover his face.”http://nymag.com/news/features/negative-campaigning-2012-1/

.......
That's just one example, of course, one that I find disgusting. Others are out there, and they too are usually veiled, that is, out of the larger public view.

I'd like reactions and would like to know if European politics has a counterpart.

Unfortunately it is the wide constituency of politics that can offer not just the serious and principled but the naefarious and the slim. The person mentioned is an example of the despicable and can be found inmany places in the world I dare say. It also shows that he feels he has many who will support his despicable tirade of crassness and lack of principle. When the bad men get together the good must unite more.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

When the bad men get together the good must unite more.

Who knew you supported Sanguinemoon's programmatic buggery? (RJ, you'd do much better, if you talked to those who spoke the same language! I'll support your talking to yourself, as the inevitable consequence of such a reasoned decision…)

To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.
- Otto von Bismarck
I'm sure he knew what he was talking about.

Originally posted by Macallan:

To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.- Otto von Bismarck

Very well quoted. Considering that politicians, at Bismarck times, were a pale image of what they have become today, just imagine what actual politicians are.

Politicians are not slime. Politicians works hard, with very good results (and excellent payment), for an end. Ours.

Things may have changed in the interim, but....

Political Parties and Corruption in Portugal

Author: DE SOUSA, Luís

Date: 2001

Citation:

West European Politics, 2001, 24, 1, 157-180

Abstract:

Portugal is often considered an example of successful democratic consolidation. Yet it has not been exempt from corruption scandals. By the mid-1990s, transparency and the moralisation of political life had come to dominate parliamentary debates and reforms. The illegality surrounding party life must be seen against the background of dominant ethical standards in society! Voters appear tolerant of the unethical behaviour of political leaders, while parties are gradually becoming less responsive to their electorate. Representation and delegation rely mor-e on tacit consent than on voice, thus encouraging complacency over corruption.

http://hdl.handle.net/1814/16693

And, no, I don't think that all politicians are corrupt, but too many are, and Congressman John Boehner is among them.

I used to be on a committee that interviewed politicians with a option to support their candidacies. I was not impressed.

A reasoned approach by all accounts which is more than can be said for OakdaleFTL's habit of wanderings and mumrourings on these forums. If he was an item in a shop he would be sold as a pack of waffles. Constant wordiness and pointlessness with nothihg to dow ith a thread most of the time. Too much coffee or John Barleycorn or everyone in his world being un-appreciative?! A bit selfish that we should suffer the inanity!