With advent of the 24-hour news cycle and reality TV, it has become much harder to keep the attention of the American people and has blurred our sense of decency. We now accept Basketball Wives and Jersey Shore and entertainment. In fact, it is difficult to tell when real life and reality TV begins. We live in a world where most young people get their news from a fake new channel. Moreover, that fake news channel is more accurate in its depiction of the news than the real news outlets.
So it comes as no surprise that eventually our politics would fall victim as well. After all, most of our politicians are clowns. Donald Trump moderating a debate is the most despicable and insulting carnation of blurred reality I’ve seen yet.
I completely understand why Newsmax would select him. Trump is an easy coverage because he has a big mouth and even bigger ego. Having him host a presidential debate is like catnip to the media. It is a spectacle that everyone knows is wrong but will not pass up the opportunity to watch take place. The debate will take place on ION, a channel that many people have never heard of unless you are into watching endless reruns of Criminal Minds. It doesn’t help either that the debate is sponsored by a Right Wing crackpot outfit (this is my personal view of Newsmax) that has very little legitimacy as news organization.
What I don’t get is why any serious candidate for President would participate. Would you want to be questioned by someone that pretended to think about running for President and has indicated he would run if he doesn’t like the nominee? You also have to deal with the birther issue as well as his bombastic statements about China. Any outlandish statement from Trump’s mouth will leave a stain on the candidates. And let us not forget Trump’s oversized ego. He will not ask questions for the edification of the American people but for the opportunity for the candidates to praise him.
I admit, I will watch the recap just to for the hope that there is something that will go viral. But if the candidates are smart, they won’t allow this to take place. I mean, we are trying to select an individual to become the most powerful person in the world. The last thing you’d want in the process is to have Donald Trump saying, “You’re fired”.
James is the founder of Mass Appeal Media and is a writer and designer living in the Chicago area.
