Dirty tricks are part of politics everywhere

Eric Bahrt believed that I got it all wrong about the “dirty trick”. Believe me, I did not have malicious intent in writing that long commentary and, as a matter of fact, it was a much longer version that what was printed. I assume that much of it had to be edited out due to the limitation of space.

In all honesty I agreed with what Mr Bahrt wrote about 10 days earlier. Dirty tricks are part and parcel of politics everywhere, if it is a win you must get. I had occasion to observe American politics at firsthand, and teach the subject for two years at an American university, and even participated in it when the going got rough. Robert F Kennedy was assassinated after winning the California primary in 1968, followed by a bloody encounter between rioting students and the police at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Richard Nixon’s slogan in that election year was “Nixon’s the one!” On one campaign stop in Omaha, as he was making a speech, on the side of his platform, four very pregnant women were holding up the “Nixon’s the one!” sign with one hand while pointing the other at their bellies. 

Whether Obama is in trouble or not, I think the signs are plenty. The most recent polls indicate that Mitt Romney is now running neck-and-neck with Obama, even when he is not yet confirmed as the Republican candidate. During the White House press dinner a few days ago, Obama was trying to make a joke out of everyone, not only Mitt Romney but also the Secret Service; and even Hillary Clinton was not spared in the “all-out swinging night”. The sad fact is that his jokes weren’t funny, and the laughter was probably out of courtesy or even forced.

Oh well, if Mr Bahrt does not like Barack Obama and he also doesn’t like Mitt Romney, I assume that most Americans are this way, resulting in a lot of fun being taken out of this crucial US election year while the whole world is holding its breath.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul

Bangkok