Well, it felt that way tonight at the GOP Debate on CNN. When Romney and Perry went at it over immigration, I actually thought they might start slapping each other across the face or land a punch or two.
And when the crowd cheered during the verbal brawl, I got really nervous.
I know it was just politics and things get heated when you’re running for President, but I hate when people yell at each other. And if the people are vying to be the leader of my country, it’s especially unnerving. It made for great ratings, no doubt, but I was watching with my hands over my eyes at one point.
Clearly, I need to grow a spine because there’s bound to be more animosity between Mitt and Rick. Euw.
I admire your strength to watch these clowns.
I just can’t do it anymore.
(but I don’t watch reality shows either – same disgusting behaviors)
I have given up on all news. I get uncomfortable with the battle of bad behavior instead of discussions.
We can disagree but does it really have to get down and dirty?
In the a.m. with coffee I enjoy Craig Ferguson from the night before.
Complete denial.
In the evening I’ll read to avoid it all.
Does that make me a bad American?
Possibly.
I live in DC, I am surrounded with the frustration of our gov’t.
Our local news – your national news only more of it.
I am now Ms. Misanthropic.
The Right’s job since Pres. Obama got into office is to thwart all his ideas even if good ones.
Doesn’t matter if the people in their district would agree with the president – they can’t they are republican.
The Left’s job when the Right is in office is to do the same darn thing.
Nothing gets done and nothing will when we continue to behave this way.
It no longer is about we the people.
My debate class in high school was better than some the snippets I have seen recently.
I used to lecture those who didn’t pay attention, who didn’t vote, who were apathetic.
While I still vote I have become so frustrated with either side that my head could explode.
Because I would be the one to have to clean that explosive mess up, I have decided to avoid it all together. I feel guilty but for sanity I need to look away.
I love political debates, Peg, despite all the reasons you gave for not watching them. I, too, am frustrated by the paralysis in Washington, but I’m fascinated by the characters in this drama. A novelist couldn’t make them up! I also watch as if I’m scouting the field like a Democratic operative to see who’s vulnerable on which issue. I don’t mind when they disagree with each other, but there does seem to be outright hostility between Romney and Perry. I was trying to remember if it got that heated between Obama and Hilary when they ran against each other in the primary. I know there were zingers, but I don’t think there was yelling. Don’t let your head explode. As you say, it would be too messy to clean it up. Haha.
Hi again, Jane. Sorry to be blog stalking you today, but I actually watched some of the debate last night (my husband refuses to watch Dancing with the Stars with me, so I had to watch some of the debate to maintain his company. Why he prefers to watch those buffoons over my beloved DWTS, I’ll never know.) Those boys were like children, weren’t they? That is probably an insult to children…sorry..don’t have any children, so I probably shouldn’t have used that refererence. I think all those candidates are jerks and I’m really glad I’m not a Republican…their field is just so embarrassing! I know, I know, the other side is not impressive either, so I’m a little (a lot?) like Peg/margaret (I’m so confused at what her real name is). I also live in the DC area, and I’m just disgusted with it all. I am a volunteer in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence, and I’m thinking about ending that (mainly because I don’t have enough time, but I’m also starting to think ‘what is the point?’) It just seems like big money is winning and lobbyists control everything. I do think some politicians go in with good intentions, but then when they see how the game works, they either can’t compete or they get lulled to the dark side. So sad.
Now, Dancing with the Stars? That makes sense to me. Pure entertainment. I know, I know…but it’s the only ‘reality’ show I watch, and it always makes me smile, so it can’t be that bad, right?
I’ve never watched “DWTS,” Ruth, or any other reality show except “Chopped” on the Food Network (LOVE that). But I guess the debates are their own kind of reality show only the stakes are a lot higher. (I don’t mind being “blog stalked” in the least. Haha.) What bothered me last night, in addition to the nastiness, was that many of the candidates didn’t even answer the questions that were asked. They just pivoted to one of their talking points and ignored both the moderator and the people in the audience who asked a question. Grr. I’m impressed that you volunteer at the WH. Very cool, so don’t quit!
Okay – my promise not to comment anymore is offically over, so I’ll let ‘er rip: Yes, I agree, they never answer the questions! That’s because they default to their talking points/Obama is Evil (Bachmann), or trying to tear down the other guy (Romney/Perry). Ron Paul is the only one who seems to talk about real things (not that I agree with what he says), rather than defaulting to FOX-speak. What a charade. You said it, Jane. Our political system, including the various talking heads on FOX, MSNBC, and CNN (the channel I like the best) just seem to be one big Reality Show, and I wonder if I can believe any of what is said, ever. Makes it hard to learn the issues, make intelligent decisions, etc.
You’re right about Ron Paul, Ruth. At least he speaks to the topic at hand. The one that bothered me the most last night was Bachmann in response to a question from a man in the audience about the housing market and foreclosures and what she would do about it. She launched right into a thing about the “Moms in this country.” I just shook my head.