Knee-Jerkers and Flip Floppers.

"As the Democrat's disregard voters' concerns and attempt to isolate Americans with divisive and partisan rhetoric, we recommend you stay on offense." So reads a memo from the NRSC communications director, Brian Walsh, suggesting campaign strategy for GOP candidates in the fall elections. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued a memo of their own in which they urged Democratic candidates to "frame their opponents early - and drive a wedge between moderate voters and tea-party-style conservatives." Both parties are laboring to prepare "talking points" for their respective candidates. "Do you believe the $787 billion 'stimulus' bill worked?" is a question suggested to GOP candidates. The Democratic memo provided tips to create unrest in GOP camps. It recommends that Democratic candidates "trap" their GOP opponents into committing themselves on "polarizing issues" and using those statements to put their opponents in a corner. This trap would incite conflict and turmoil in the opponents camp and thereby fragment support for the candidate. Ideally, a dreaded "flip-flop" could be produced by provoking a statement conflicting with an earlier position taken by the candidate. Should a "flip-flop" be produced, it should be pounced on immediately and well circulated. The Republicans in turn, are counseled to paint their Democratic opponents as purveyors of the "knee-jerk politics that have kept Washington trapped in political gridlock for decades." The apparatchiks of both parties are staying busy propping up their candidates, making strategy, preparing "talking points", and working to undermine opponents.

It would seem that for many party professionals, it is not enough to nominate good candidates and put forward policies and positions for public consideration. The primary purpose of politics is to win. The preferred method is to traduce. Once victory is in hand, the victors can get on about implementing their agenda. "Partisan parlor games" are to be denounced, yet candidates are urged to "stay on offense" and "trap" their opponents. Certainly, an eye must be kept out for public disenchantment and an ear must be kept open to public opinion. Steps have to be taken to reassure the public that they are involved and have a say in policy. Nevertheless, when it comes down to it, parties are less concerned with the thoughts and opinions of the voter than they are in his vote. They are willing to go to great depths to get that vote.

The public is increasingly viewed as an accomplice to the political ambitions of a party, rather than a partner. The voter is to be lured, tricked, enticed, and cajoled. Better politicians might try to persuade. Very few will listen. Like a pushy car salesman, the parties want to sell the public a car. But they are less interested in what the customer is looking to buy, than what they want to sell. No one runs for office to follow. They run to lead, whether or not it is to a place the public wants to go. As the line between policy and tactics becomes ever more blurred, discourse becomes replaced by slogans and posturing. The public is at risk of becoming little more than a prize to be won or lost in a political contest.

If the parties succeed in their campaign strategy, in the upcoming elections the voters will have to choose, not between Republicans and Democrats, nor between liberals and conservatives. They will have to choose between knee-jerkers and flip floppers. However, in a nation where the highest ranked TV show is Dancing with the Stars, perhaps the parties don't bear all the blame.