On Not Watching

No, I am not watching the debate tonight. I don't think I can take anymore. I have probably said that before, but I am afraid. I am afraid that this whole process will continue to implode as it does every four years. I am afraid that I will find my cynicism re-building, the cynicism that has affected me every election since 1968.

I know that I can read all the spin tomorrow morning in the newspaper or online. I know that the right-wing will find all kind of reasons to praise McCain and condemn Obama. The left-wing will do the opposite. Most of us will hear our candidate say some things that we like. The Other Guy will say things we hate. That's how the process works.

They have both been practicing long and hard these past days to make sure they say the right things. Their "handlers" will have pumped them full of questions and answers. The responses may sound spontaneous from time to time, but they will all be talking points. Which one will sound more sincere? Which one will sound the most "down to earth?"

I watched the first 8 minutes, the first set of questions on the economy and they both did what I expected. It was that moment between making the introduction to the answer and the answer that each of them could be seen to shift into auto-pilot. Not that they weren't giving their positions. Of course they were. But it was so rehearsed with the appropriate pot-shots at the other, the comments that made sure it was seen who was responsible and who could do something about it.

Those first 8 minutes convinced me that I didn't want to watch any more. If they get into fireworks, fisticuffs or fidgeting, I'll watch it tomorrow. Until then, I will listen to some music, or write some more posts, or maybe clean the kitchen.