Political Glitz and Lack Thereof
Some observations from the hood.
As a political writer (among other hats I wear), it’s safe to say that I have a passion for politics. I’m not one of those people who uncomfortably instigates political discussions in my everyday life (I’ll participate in one if someone asks for my take), but I do feel a certain zest when I write about such topics, or talk about them on my podcast. What I do not have a passion for is political campaigns.
I don’t think I’ve ever put a campaign sign in my front yard (other than for a very local race), nor have I stuck a political bumper-sticker on the back of my car (other than a couple of the satirical variety back in the day). Heck, I can’t remember the last time I was even tempted to. Very few politicians excite me, and those who do have largely been chased out of politics (by their own parties).
But I do pay attention to the campaign passion I see in others. And I figured, on the eve of Election Day 2024, that I’d share a few anecdotal observations from my hometown. I won’t be making any political arguments here (you know where to go for that). I’m just going to muse about some things I find curious and/or interesting.
Here we go.
The other day, when my daughter and I were dropping off one of her friends at her house, I couldn’t help but notice the loud, dueling displays on the opposite side of the street. One house and yard were totally decked out with big, blue and red campaign signs, flags, and banners in proud support of Donald Trump for president. The home and yard directly beside it were just as politically expressive, also filled to the brim with huge, blue and red signs, flags, and banners (seemingly made by the same company, since even the fonts were quite similar). Only… they were in support of Kamala Harris for president.
It was an amusing spectacle — like one of those Bizarro World contrasts from DC Comics. My hope is that the scene is part of a friendly competition between neighbors that they chuckle over in casual conversation. But with our nation as deeply and angrily divided as it’s been over the last several years, I think it’s far more likely that the two families aren’t on speaking terms, and that the over-the-top exhibits have been driven, at least in part, by spite for the other’s views.
I could be wrong, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
A handful of my own neighbors are also sporting political signs, and I couldn’t help but notice last week, as I was returning home from a walk, that the sign in one yard was brightly lit up by spotlights (on both sides). Now that’s pride! But something about it bothered me, in part, perhaps, because I’m an Eagle Scout. The neighbor also had an American flag in his front yard that was hoisted on a pole about ten feet from the sign… And the flag was hanging in pure darkness.
That practice is commonly recognized (at least it used to be) as a big no-no. Unless the flag is illuminated, it’s supposed to be taken down at sunset. It’s never to be left out overnight in the dark.
I was open to the idea that it had been an honest oversight on my neighbor’s part. After all, anyone with a permanent flagpole in their front yard, where they fly the American flag, surely knows the rules… Right? But Old Glory has stood there in the dark every night since, while that political-campaign sign remains lit up like a Hollywood movie-star on Oscar night.
I know, I know… I probably shouldn’t read so much into it. Still, I find the imagery disheartening because I think it represents, if even just symbolically, how a lot of people view their place and identity as Americans in today’s political era.
All of that said, what sticks out to me the most this season, at least as far as political glitz goes, is how relatively little of it I’ve seen compared to previous presidential elections. Sure, there are still some fanatics out there, the kind of people who decorate their personal vehicles and farm equipment with their political brand, but even their numbers seem to be dwindling. It just feels like, at least from my perspective, voters have become so increasingly disillusioned with the country’s political prospects that they can no longer muster the energy to publicly cheer on a team. They may vote the same way they always have, or pinch their nose and choose the option they think stinks less, but I think folks, by and large, are just exhausted. Exhausted by the drama. Exhausted the vitriol. Exhausted by the dishonesty. Exhausted by the gamesmanship.
I know I am.
The good news is that election season will be over in a little more than 24 hours. The bad news is that the drama, vitriol, dishonesty, and gamesmanship won’t be.
Hang in there, America.
The Hullabaloo
Last week on the Daly Express podcast, I talked to Quin Hillyer, conservative columnist for the Washington Examiner, about the 2024 presidential election, the “fascist” charge, Ukraine, and more.
Here’s a preview:
You can watch the full video version on BernardGoldberg.com, or listen to the audio podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Random Thought
Be Prepared for the Holidays
I'm often asked, "John, what's the perfect gift for a beloved friend or family member?"
And I say, "I think we both know the answer. It's a signed, personalized copy of one of my Sean Coleman Thrillers."
Fortunately, they're available through my website.
Obligatory Dog Shot
Dog pile.
Featured Vinyl
Early last week, I was pretty excited to see the Gin Blossoms in concert in my hometown. I had four front-row, crotch-level tickets, but a couple days before the weekend show, it was mysteriously cancelled. It was a bummer for sure (though not as big of one as Lenny Kravitz a few weeks earlier). The Gin Blossoms are a great live band who I’ve enjoyed in concert a number of times over the last 30 years or so.
At least a bit of a consolation prize arrived in the mail a few days earlier: The Gin Blossoms: Live in Concert on vinyl. I didn’t even know this album existed until I was buying a different record online, and needed to spend just a little bit more to get free shipping. A little browsing, and voilà!
Live in Concert, recorded in 2008, features the band’s biggest hits, mostly from their very successful second and third studio albums.
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading today’s Daly Grind.
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Also, if you’re not caught up on my Sean Coleman Thrillers, you can pick the entire series up at a great price on Amazon. And if you’re interested in signed, personalized copies of my books, you can order them directly from my website.
Take care. And I’ll talk to you soon!