Elevating Public Debate

Those who spend much of their professional time in the public arena bounce from one crossroad to another. Throughout their days they are called upon to constantly make choices as to how to conduct themselves. This is not easy. Regardless of the issue, whatever they do or decide is going to disappoint, anger or frustrate some. Such is the life of our elected officials. As I write this, there are a little over two weeks to go to the 2014 mid-elections when many of them - congressman and governors throughout the country - are up for re-election. Soon they will learn whether they will be able to continue their fishbowl existence for another two, four or six years.


Going into these elections, it is no secret that, generally speaking, the American public has a very low opinion of those currently in public office. One reason for this is that fundamental choice these officials make in how they discuss, debate and/or converse about issues of the day. Specifically, people largely disapprove  of the manner in which the officials communicate with them and each other. So often it is low-brow, silly and thoughtless. To make matters worse,  the communicators on their staffs - those who speak with reporters on their behalf - are often  just as bad. Far too often, like those for whom they work, the spokespersons do nothing to elevate serious debate.


Case in point: the recent gubernatorial debate in Florida. One of the candidates wanted a small fun underneath his podium to keep him comfortable,. His opponent objected. While the issue was finally settled and debate was held as scheduled, it was not before spokespeople from each camp got in their zingers. "(Charlie) Crist was in an 'emergency meeting' with debate organizers pleading for his precious fan," said one. The other side shot back regarding Rick Scott: "I have a ten-year-old, and it' been many years since he has thrown a fit equal to this one."  How disappointing. The two candidates deserve better representation. Even more than that, the general public does.