I'm Taking a Summer Holiday

I generally find the political coverage so trivial and mean-spirited these days that I'm taking the summer off from watching and reading about the presidential campaign. I might even cancel my daily text alert from Chuck Todd! I'll start watching again in earnest during the conventions most likely, but I've returned to watching the local news and the Today Show instead of Morning Joe. Race for the White House, Hardball, and Countdown can all take hiatuses as far as I'm concerned as well. I'm sure their ratings will all show a considerable dip. And maybe MSNBC's current crop of hosts just may go the way of Ashleigh Banfield! >:-)

It's ironic that the long-drawn out Democratic primary caused such a spike in viewership, readership, and overall political interest even though so much of the commentary centered on how the primary was too long and would be detrimental to the Dems. Really everyone was a winner, except Hillary Clinton because she lost, and John McCain because no one paid him any attention. Personally I ate it up. Not having Tim Russert to put it all into context might also explain my current disinterest in part.

Now watching the pundit class trying to make political hay out of every gotcha moment is just disturbing because it shows how demeaning the political process is for both the candidates and the electorate. We really do get the politics we deserve, and since I feel that I deserve better, I'm perfectly happy to tune out until the fall. It's the current undecided voters who determine the winner in most elections, and I'm sure they're going to the beach, spending time with friends and family and just generally enjoying their summers. Why shouldn't I do the same? That's what summer is for! There's plenty of time to stress about the Iraq War, the economy, and flag lapel pins!