Did you ever wonder why Donald Trump says something
outrageous almost every day? Whether it’s at one of his rallies or at a news
conference or interview, he will have something to say that stretches credulity
or decorum. As long as there is a reporter, or better still, a news camera
around, there he’ll be spouting his lies or exaggerations.
“In
a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
- George Orwell
He does it because it ensures that he will be in the news
the next day, preferably as the lead story. “At his rally last night, Donald
Trump said . . .” He does it to drown out his opponent. He does it on purpose.
I call it bombast politics.
Being as bombastic, outrageous or loud as you can so you, and nobody
else, gets heard. It is a style that Mr. Trump has mastered. As someone once said, “Bad publicity is
better than no publicity at all.”
“No man is exempt from saying silly things; the
mischief is to say them deliberately.”
- Michel
de Montaigne
Unfortunately, we are seeing this same phenomenon of bombast
politics being played out in Canada. In this case by Pierre Poilievre. The
venues may be different, but the effect is the same. In his case, it’s in the House of Commons,
where he dominates Question Period, or in the inevitable news conference. Remember when he would not attend any news
conferences? Slam you opponent, call the government side any number of names,
exaggerate the condition of the country. You know that there are reporters
around and that CSPAN is always videoing your encounters. Better yet, get
yourself silenced for a day, or even ejected from the chamber. You know right away that you will the headline
in the news cycle. Bombast politics.
Bombast politics does nothing to advance the business of the
government. It presents no substantive ideas. It does not include any ideas on
how to make things better. Does it not bother you that neither Mr. Trump nor
Mr. Poilievre have given us anything but vague promises about how they would do
something different to address their perceived problems? Bombast works; plans can come back to haunt
you.
“It's so
much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the
problem.”
Let’s silence bombast politics by not supporting it nor
giving it anything but disdain.
