Looking at one thing, seeing another

Matt Pearl

In light of the Election 2016 negativity that will soon inundate all of our lives — indeed, which has already begun to overwhelm us — it occurred to me the other day that I ought to set up some rules for myself.

I want to discipline my ears and mind, to hear what is being said over what is being spoken.

Anyone can plant a flower bed, but it takes care to keep a beautiful one. I’m looking for someone whose follow-through matches his/her vigor in campaigning.

But determining someone’s true character and genuine intentions from watching a political campaign is kind of like picking a favorite flavor of M&Ms based on appearance: each bag holds several uniquely colored candies, but they’re all pretty much the same inside.

I always seem to designate the same basic groups of people, and I’ve been pretty successful in determining chance of success based on the categories I use.

Ben Carson is soft-spoken and intelligent, and almost certainly not going to be viewed as being very presidential or leader-like.

Donald Trump is the guy who’s in the race until he suddenly quits, which I think he will do.

Hillary Clinton is playing with the incumbent card that she took from President Obama’s hand. The American view will be that she will continue on a similar path to the current Commander-In-Chief, and there’s probably quite a bit of truth in this logic. Still, like Mr. Obama, she is a polarizing figure, as are most in this upcoming race.

As for Joe Biden, I hope he runs. I can’t wait for him to talk — he always says something that makes me glad I tuned in, although probably not for the reason that he intended.

The rest of the Republican camp is only mildly intriguing.

Jeb Bush is too liberal to appeal to Tea Party conservatives, but too Bush to get any Democrat votes. We’ll call him an early out, despite his West Wing pedigree, a fact that could make the difference in whether swing state Florida sides with the red or the blue.

Chris Christie is trying too hard.

Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are too agenda driven for Tea Party causes to have mass appeal.

Carly Fiorina is making the new greatest Republican mistake: she’s running as anti-Hillary. It didn’t work for Mitt Romney to run as the anti-Obama, and Fiorina will find it out, just before her early exit.

I say none of this to make anyone mad — but we don’t do ourselves a bit of good looking at one thing and seeing another. If the Republicans want the White House — and they desperately do – then the only hope is in nominating a moderate. Americans are going to go from Barack Obama to Rand Paul overnight; that’s too much change at once.

A moderate Chris Christie-type could be the bridge – no “Bridgegate” scandal implication intended.

But the Republicans are where the Democrats were 11 years ago: divided without any true sense of unity or self.

If the party were to put on one united front, then this election would likely be theirs. I doubt they do so, but could still win the presidency with some help from the trio of scandal, mudslinging and luck.

So you and I will be the audience for these courtiers and jesters: I pray that we are all discerning in separating the one from the other.