Voters Tune In and Drop Out

Communications consultant Fraser Seitel says this year's presidential campaign "promises to be the filthiest, grimiest, most mean-spirited in the history of the Republic." He predicts: "the Karl Rovian/ Bob Shrumian mega-million dollar PR strategies" will have Bush slamming Kerry as a "position-hopping, tax-popping, liberal toady" and Kerry painting Bush as a "bible thumping, fat cat pumping, right wing wildman." Noting Bush's penchant for western ranch imagery and Kerry's motorcycle photo-ops, the Los Angeles Times asked whether the campaign has a "Who is more macho?" subtext. And a recent survey of cable TV viewers found that "people are really unhappy about their role, or lack of it, in the democratic process."