The Sad Truth of Campaigns

Is there any one who is not aware a presidiential election will be happening later in 2012? I think not. Even though the conventions for both of the major political parties have not yet happened, we already know who their candidates will be. Both are in campaign mode. They and their surrogates are out giving tons of speeches, interviews with the media, and generally doing all they can  to connect with potential voters and effectively communicate their positions on a range of issues. This, of course, is our nation's political process and this is how we choose our leaders. From a communication standpoint, I find it represents the both the best and worst of us.

I say the best because the candidates are so visible and, generally, doing what they can to interact with their supporters as well as those who have not yet made up their minds about them. To different degrees the voters are able to talk with the candidates, ask questions, and get a sense of them as people and leaders. Granted, as there are only two of them and millions of us, the kind of interaction that occurs is rarely far from ideal. At best, it is superficial and closely choreographed so any genuine interaction the candidates do with voters is rare. As frustrating as that is, it not the worst part of our political process as it relates to communication.  

The worst part is that the eventual decision of the voters is based on which candidate makes the best case for him or herself, not necessarily on which one is the truth teller. Honesty does not always win the day on election day. It seems as if almost daily one or both of the candidates shade or ignore the truth when speaking or communicating to the public. It has gotten to a point where a number of major media outlets have even created what they call fact check or a Pinochio test columns in which they identify the falsehoods or misleading statements the two sides put forth the day before. How sad is that? It has even gotten to a point where I wonder if voters are even able to identify the truth when they hear or read it. That reality is way beyond sad.