Forget politics, drink lemonade (Politics)

Many things in this country are slowed by the heat of summer. If you don’t believe me, try sitting on a front porch during a July afternoon with an ice-cold glass of lemonade and see how long it takes you to drink it. I’ll bet it takes longer than you think.

Because sitting on a porch, in the shade, or lounging on picnic blanket with a ham sandwich is what summer is all about. Whatever you do, don’t rush it. It’s true of everything this time of year, and politics is no exception.

Here we are in this last day of June, our nation’s birthday right around the corner, and, at long last, the political scene is about to get boring. Sweet, sweet respite.

Before the week is out, we will officially be in the “same as it ever was” stage of presidential races. It’s an integral part of the process, and no Republican “maverick” or Democratic “candidate for change” can stop it. It’s halftime. Take a breather.

And here’s why. From now until the end of August, Sens. McCain and Obama will be pandering in a very familiar vein, doing their best to check and re-check every political cliché on the list without mercy.

Now is the time when campaign speeches become surgical, specifically crafted to deal with unique demographics. Or, simply stated, McCain and Obama have two months to operate on the swing states–like Obama did earlier today.

Obama, the candidate who doesn’t want “politics as usual,” gave a speech today in defense of his own patriotism in Independence, Missouri, Harry Truman’s old stomping grounds, four days before Independence day.

On a scale of one to ten, I’d give that move a political cliché rating of 8, and the only reason it isn’t a 9 is because he didn’t kiss a baby.

McCain on the other hand is campaigning heavily in Pennsylvania, trying to swing them back to the right for the first time in 20 years. McCain’s speeches are sure to be tailor made for each stop and contain a requisite number of buzzwords, making his “maverick” approach to politics a stretch.

And that’s o.k. For now, anyway.

At this point in the season, effective campaigning isn’t as much about gaining ground as it is losing it. Both of these politicians (no matter what they say, that’s what they are) have to do everything they can to maintain the status quo of their campaigns if they hope to change the status quo in the White House next year.

You have to play the game if you want to change the game, and this summer, it’s a game we’ve all seen before.

So aside from finding out who will win the veepstakes, all you have to do now is mark three dates on your calendar. The first is August 28, the final day of the Democratic convention. The second is September 4, the last day of the Republican convention.

After that, it’s an all out sprint for the 56th quadrennial Unites States presidential election.

And that third date? August 8, the opening ceremony of the Olympic games. Be sure to watch, folks. We can’t have anyone questioning our patriotism in an election year.

Now, where’d I put that lemonade?

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff.