These are heady times in the NYT Op- Ed Dept., and why not? The drama, pathos, and comedy inherent within the confines of the 2008 Presidential Campaign provide a rich (no pun intended) breeding ground for observant and/or talented writers, and Frank Rich is undoubtedly both.
Rich contends that two distinctly different visions of America are projected by each party's candidates in this campaign: Obama portends "cheery"
positivity, with the notion of inclusion for the voters, whereas McCain is the contentious warrior, his armor perched atop a coat rack, poised to battle for his country. The variation in the message's deliverance, according to Rich, is what separates the two men.
Invoking Lesson l-Comm.Arts l0l, (its core tenet being that the most widely used word in the English language is "I" as communication is based upon ego), followed by "me") he cites HRC using "I" 64 times, McCain 60 times, (so much for self-described "humility"--an oxymoron in iteself), and Obama only 30, proving a cliche' reversal, that maybe words can speak louder than actions, sometimes.
He cites Obama's superior campagn organization skills, which defeated the Roman-esque Clinton Machine, also based upon a Marshall McLuhanism in his brilliant use of the internet, TV, and beyond: the "medium mirrored the message." In essence, he out- Al Gored Clinton.
Obama needs only to be himself on TV and tell the truth as he sees it. McCain is struggling with both the truth and the medium, as witnessed by his gaffe in boasting of his post-Katrina efforts, apparently forgetting that videotape captured him sharing birthday cake with W in Arizona that day.
My favorite line in this story was something that many of the viewing public cannot help but notice: the all-white, mostly male, old, and more well-to-do McCain supporters incessantly in the background, booing Obama, sounding like, "an all-white country club riled by the change in the brunch menu."
I'm a fan of Maureen Dowd and Thomas Friedman, as well, but Op-Ed writing doesn't get much better than this piece.
