Bombast Politics

 

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.”

  - Malcolm Forbes

Let’s silence bombast politics by not supporting it nor giving it anything but disdain.