Most Nevadans like most Americans are waking up to a more peaceful day today. The reason being that the incessant political ads and equally disturbing telephone polling calls have finally come to an end.
Since this is being written prior to yesterday’s election it might be well to highlight some of the more interesting occurrences of the last election cycle.
First would have to be on the National scene as to whether or not conservatism triumphed over liberalism, capitalism beat communism or the red wall stopped the blue wave.
The Republicans had a David against a Democrat Goliath. That David was President Trump who had to fight against possible odds in the form of the National Press, all but one TV network, social media, academia and Hollywood. Also part of the goliath was the Democratic party.
For the Democrats the chief spokesman was former President Obama. His most egregious statement on many occasions was that Trump was a liar. It was probably made because Obama was an expert on mendacity. Trump was never credited as the author of “Lie of the year” as was Obama when he made false statements about Obamacare. Obama was abetted by his wife Michelle who’s famous quote “when they go low, we go high”. She may have unwittingly been telling the truth because Republicans do indeed go for lower taxes, lower unemployment and lower food stamp usage. The Democrats on the other hand go for higher numbers in all three categories.
Crazy Uncle Joe Biden was the next high profile Democrat to take the stump probably because he was the favorite to face Trump in 2020. His vile rhetoric almost equals that of wild-eyed Bernie Sanders. Sanders was also seen embracing the most communistic Ocasio-Cortez who has been declared the new face of the Democrat party according to DNC chairman Perez. The Democrat’s wild swing to the far left was highlighted by such candidates as Beto O’Rourke, who’s most famous stage entry was riding in on a skateboard as he competed against Trumps runner up, Senator Ted Cruz in Texas. Equally super liberal was the democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Gillum of Florida. He proposed raising taxes by 40 percent. Another liberal was female Sinema in Arizona running against the Republican women, who was a 20 year veteran serving as an air force pilot with tours in the Middle East.
Whether the liberal media knows it or not, Trump has been utilizing them since before his inauguration. It has been a simple ploy as each day he gives them another issue for which they can criticize him. Thus the Democratic message is completely over shadowed as the talking heads spend most of their time on Trump. Likewise many of the late night comics who berate Trump might be doing it out of jealousy since when Trump was a TV star on the apprentice his rating were much higher than theirs.
Many decades ago before television became the main medium we in the advertising business relied on newspapers, radio and billboards along with direct mail to publicize our political clients. Another item that was used was the famous “boiler room” which consisted of a bank of telephones utilized to spread nefarious comments about political opponents. When TV first came into existence it was clear to all of us that this was an opportunity to put our candidates into everybody’s living room. It was also notable that the TV camera could not lie. Every defect of the candidate was immediately exposed. There were certain performers that were quite adept at using the tube. There were others that literally turned to jelly when the red light went on. If your candidate did not have a convincing speaking voice you put him on silent film and used a mellifluous radio announcer’s voice over.
The most striking example of the power of TV to reveal the true nature of a person was best exemplified during the recent Kavanaugh hearings. It showed the Democrats side of the committee to be a collection of vicious, snide and insulting group of individuals. On the flip side the republicans were measured, thoughtful and respectful. The lone exception occurred when Senator Lindsey Graham gave a blistering rebuke to his Democrat fellow Senators. Also, the intellectual and previously calm Kavanaugh displayed a wide range of emotion that was in response to the uncorroborated allegations against him.
Two Nevada raced were very prominent on the national scene. They were the contests for US Senate and Nevada Governor.
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