on convention: the blue
by Mark Hunter Mulvey
Published: September 4, 2008
“Oral delivery aims at persuasion and making the listener believe they are converted. Few persons are capable of being convinced; the majority allow themselves to be persuaded.”
- Goethe (1749-1832)
What was the Democratic National Convention if not an emphatic underlining of an existing sentence? The Democrats in attendance were already convinced, and the Republicans in attendance had expectations set. And, in similar fashion, the 38 million people watching the Cerulean Spectacle on television sought entertainment, a historical moment, but mostly the simple reassurance of their previously held opinions and viewpoints.
Or did they?
Did undecided voters actually attend the democratic national convention seeking guidance and inspiration? I hope not. Such easily manipulated souls would lower an already base opinion of the American public as a whole. Barring the press and pundits, it’s safe to say that only the converted were in attendance August 25th-28th. Which begs the question: what’s the point of such an exhibition?
Inspiration, reassurance, motivation… all probable reasons. These conventions have a storied history, and there is certainly no end in sight. The ceremony of nomination acceptance needs all the trimmings, and so an event is inevitably warranted. It is, in large part, the self-congratulatory theatrics and reiteration of angles. That’s not to downplay the place that oration has in the political realm, it is simply to say that politics is a rallying game and there is no greater self-indulgence than the gathering of like-minded people cheering at each others’ words. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
However, mass media may be the key to unlocking the true purpose of the Democratic Convention. The undecided voters, though not in attendance, certainly tuned in and got a heavy dose of attempted sway. It’s difficult to say how persuasive a multi-day political festival can be to a critical mind, but powerful oration and the colorful barrage of histrionics broadcast through flickering screens may very well be enough to spark one’s imagination and vote.
Still, I hope not. Well-informed opinion should be formed from the weighing of varied viewpoints and vigorous argumentative thought. Should. But if these conventions are proven to sway the undecided, if only a few, then I suppose their bombastic existence is justified.
I’m eager to witness the Crimson Spectacle and test this Sway Ability on myself after a heaping dose of Left.
—
(email this article or post to social network)
—
September 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am
So what do you think of the “Crimson Spectacle” so far?
September 14th, 2008 at 10:03 am
“Crimson Spectacle” I like it, redder than red…
Let me c what we got cookin here…MMMMM smells like mule muffins…..
GOP bails out the financial markets…
Dem’s bails out the financial markets and the middle class…
I like the Dem’s cause I need a good job,,,I do have not the time or money to acquire the education required to compete in the new world order of the GOP.,,,,, besides if your gonna redistribute the U$ wealth I want my fair share too…
did I say I would vote fer Ron Paul