Election 2004
In American media, political coverage of the Presidential Elections 2004 reaches its zenith in the last few weeks before Election Day. It has displaced the normal sports and entertainment coverage, and even some news from the war in Iraq (although it can be argued that Iraq is a key political issue). The television coverage has peaked - all forms of political commentators are out in force and both sides have taken up critical advertisements to support their campaign.
Why would a foreign observer be interested in all of this? Possibly because this is the most powerful office in the world, and the outcome of these elections will affect the course of history. American foreign policy in recent years bears the mark of the President and his cabinet, and it has for better or worse, heightened the confrontation with religious fundamentalism.
What’s most interesting to me is the numerous TV advertisements with caustic comments about the opposition. Nothing is sacrosanct - every aspect of each candidate’s background is fair game for criticism. Short video clips show Bush at his stuttering worst and Kerry is still haunted by the Swift Boat Veterans. There’s so many reasons to be cynical!