There's a crispness in the air, the trees in Central Park are starting to shed their leaves, the football season has started, the baseball races are reaching a crescendo, this could only mean one thing...the television season is back! ....or is it?
The new fall season? the network dramas? The ever popular reality shows? The excitement and anxiety that goes along with an American Idol finale?these are all things that traditionally keep Americans glued to their TV's on a weekday evening....during this election season however, who needs 'em?
A new reality show has emerged and taken center stage for a vast majority of Americans.
....and for those with whom it hasn't, maybe this post will help.
Act 1: A fierce Democratic primary filled with more twists, turns and plot changes than all 3 seasons of Lost combined (or have there been 4 seasons?). The daily exchange of mutually aggressive harsh words between both campaigns and endless strategizing by Clinton/Obama advisers, mixed in with Buba's thrust back into the political limelight sprinkled in with a little Rev. Wright controversy caused housewives across the country all summer long to increasingly exchange their bon bons and Oprah Winfrey for well...bons bons and Wolf Blitzer. Ok that gross generalization and harsh exaggeration of housewives may have been over the top, but the Democratic political drama that ensued was not!
Act 2: McCain pulls away from Mike Hukcabee the "other" formerly fat- ever-so whimsical governor from Hope Arkansas and the straight out of central casting oh so presidential looking and sounding Mitt Romney. Obama does the same with the tougher than nails former first lady whose love of brightly colored pant suits would put to shame anyone who well...wore many brightly colored pant suits. Clear battle lines have been drawn for a hotly contested presidential race.
Act 3: A true fight begins to gain momentum. It becomes increasingly clear that this race is going to be as much about personality, character and spin as it its going to be about issues. In one corner you have the older more experienced and stately candidate, and in the other you have the younger more energetic self proclaimed conduit for change. Ad after ad, soundbite after soundbite, press conference after press conference the public begins to become more and more engaged and the country becomes more and more polarized.
Act 4: As the national polls and state polls start to trickle out, the razor thin race between Obama and Clinton starts to look as wide as the Grand Canyon (at its widest point, and that pretty wide, i think). However just as quickly as the race begins to look like a race, the Democrats have their convention.....and what a convention it was. Day 1 ironically started out pretty boring (highlighted by Michelle) Day 2 - With the underlying question of party unity adopted by the media, the Democratic National Convention turned into the Clinton National Convention. Hillary comes out in an emotional, satirical, funny and forceful speech putting a virtual end to the question of unity. Day 3- Bill follows up on the good will fostered by his wife to deliver a true Clintonian speech, raising the bar for Obama. Which brings us to day 4 in which Obama delivers a majestic speech in front of roman columns underneath a star strewn night in front of a star studded audience.
Act 5: After a resoundingly impressive and successful convention by the Democrats, Obama begins to pull away in the polls. Just as soon as the conversation and attention starts turning to the Republicans and Minneapolis, hurricane ("Hidalgo"?...whatever that "h" hurricane was before Ike) begins to head for the gulf states and all the attention gets redirected from Minneapolis to New Orleans. Once the hurricane proves not to be disastrous, the media jumps back on the network jets headed back to Minneapolis for the resumption of the Republican convention. Can McCain overcome a plunge in the polls? A hurricane that cancelled the first day of his convention? The release of the monstrous ratings numbers from Obama's speech less then a week earlier?
Act 6: Enter Sarah Palin stage right.
Questions answered!
Act 7: After a very successful convention, McCain evens the playing field and takes a slight lead in the polls. The drama, the issues, the attacking surrogates, the endless analysis, and the nasty attack ads begin anew.
- By now I am sure most of my somewhat theatrically astute readers may ask, isn't the 3 act storyline, the traditinally accepted one in the modern age of theatre and cinema? As act 8 will tell you, this story coninues to break the rules and push the limits.
Act 8: "Its the economy stupid"
After both candidates set aim at one another, spending months digging in and entrenching themselves within their respective battle plans and particular ideologies, a dramatic shift in America takes hold. A faltering economy, financial markets in peril and credit virtually shut off to all business's and citizens, everyone begins to question everything. This shift and national uncertainty permeates both campaigns. John and Barack are now forced to question their tactics, their economic plans, their long range strategies and yes even their own parties. Congress is scrambling to pass or reject the biggest governmental bailout in American history, partisan lines are blurred, party loyalty and unity is postponed and suddenly an unpopular lame duck president is thrust back into the political forefront. With 41 days left until the election the campaign for presidency turns into a national debate over the economic future of our country.
The question of who will win is only trumped by the question; what contest are we even talking about?
Act 9: I can't wait to find out....can you?
Friday 8 pm MSNBC
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