The Art of Political Symbolism – “The Sunday Political Brunch” – December 6, 2020

Sunday, December 06, 2020

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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Trump wearing a mask at Walter Reed

We are now more than a month past Election Day, and I think it’s safe to do some analysis of why we are, where we are. I earned my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California nine years ago, and learned a ton about the word “leadership,” which in many ways is hard to precisely define. There is policy leadership, moral leadership, and symbolic leadership, just to name a few. In the context of politics, let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“A COVID-19 Mount Rushmore” – First of all, before anyone starts throwing rocks at me, none of the presidents I’m about to name is as prestigious as the four presidents immortalized in stone at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. But what I am praising is a bipartisan effort to come together to promote the common good. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama will all be vaccinated (and filmed) getting their COVID-19 vaccines together. It will send a powerful message, especially to the reluctant, that the vaccine is safe and effective.

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“Political Theatre” – Symbolism is a staple of American politics, and when used effectively it can be incredibly powerful. More than anyone, Hollywood actor-turned-Governor-turned President Ronald Reagan was the master of this. He wrapped himself (and his stage backgrounds) in the American flag like no other politician we’ve seen in our nation’s history. That, and his patriotic “pull-at-the-heartstrings prose,” was what we call great political theatre. In case you didn’t know, Reagan was the first to feature average, heroic, and often “red, white and blue” guests in the gallery with the First Lady for a State of the Union Addresses shout-out. Every president since has done a copy-cat of Reagan. It was brilliant theatre!

 

“Why Symbolism Matters” – One thing we’ve come to loathe about politicians is an often, “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude. They preach one thing, yet do another. Congress gives itself the best medical insurance package in the world, yet says to others, “Oh we’ll give you this thing called the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare,” (with high deductibles and co-pays), and basically say, “good luck!” It’s that kind of double standard that breeds discontent in the populace and fuels the support for a rebel candidate such as Donald Trump. It’s palpable.

 

“Symbolism Cuts Both Ways” – One thing history has taught us, is that in a time of need people in this nation will sacrifice for the common good. I always remember my mom my telling me of how her family rationed food and other supplies in World War II, (while her Marine brother Barnie was fighting at Iwo Jima). They cut gasoline consumption, and even gave up car tires when rubber was a needed item for war supplies. It was shared sacrifice and stakeholders cut corners in the hopes of helping all.

 

“The Mask” – I am a journalist and a social scientist, and one day maybe I, or someone else will have the data and statistics to back up what I’m about to say. Had President Trump actively encouraged mask usage, and wore a mask regularly himself, he would have been re-elected, in fact easily. Yes, the gesture may have been largen publicly symbolic, and yes, good political theatre, but I am convinced his lack of mask usage, and lack of encouragement of it, was the single leading cause of his defeat. As I often say, the worst political wounds are usually self-inflicted, i.e. Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.

 

“Symbolism and Theatre is No Guarantee” – The overuse of symbolism and theatre can reach the absurd. In 2000, during the Bush v. Gore disputed presidential election it became nothing short of a comical Saturday Night Live skit. George W. Bush would hold a news conference with four flags behind him, and then Al Gore would hold a news conference with eight flags draped behind him. Then, Bush would have a press event with 12 flags hanging, only to have Gore show up with 20. It became a farce of, “he who has the most flags, might win!”.

 

“So, What’s Ahead?” – This weekend begins with December 5th, exactly one month before the two special U.S. Senate elections in Georgia. President Trump will be there to campaign for the two Republicans, and former President Barack Obama will be there for the Democrats. President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris are likely to show up in the coming weeks, too. These may be the most intense U.S. Senate campaign runoffs in American history, because control of the upper chamber is on the table. A GOP sweep, or split, keeps the chamber in its hands. And a win of both seats by Democrats gives them Senate control.

 

What are your thoughts, hopes, and wishes about the two U.S. Senate races in Georgia?  Just add a comment button and let us know.

 

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Mark Curtis, Ed.D. is Chief Political Reporter for the six Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and most of the Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER columnist for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.

 

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