Speechless in Seattle, and Charleston, and Reno

Your Musical Patriot is almost speechless at the current state of the Presidential campaign, especially on the Republican side.

First, we now have a Ted Cruz ad in which children pound a Donald Trump action figure into a model hotel.  Is this what Presidential politics has come to in America?

As for the Democrats, their verbal jousting is not on such a puerile level.  However, the nature of their contest can hardly be called edifying or constructive when the need for party unity is considered.

To play devil's advocate for a moment:  A discussion about who should be owning America now is entirely within bounds and is, indeed, necessary.  This seems to be Senator Sanders purpose and to that extent I support him.  But putting these two dignitaries into such a contentious and even perhaps belittling situation such as this is regrettable. What are we supposed to do -- hope it all comes out fine in the wash?


One does wish for the presence of a third party, a leveler -- someone like -- yes -- Martin O'Malley. Absent Mr. O'Malley, the diatribes seem to be getting sharper.

Back to the Republicans:  I have already referenced the new Ted Cruz ad.  And, by the way, my criticism of the Cruz ad does not imply support or even sympathy for Donald Trump.  Now one candidate (Trump) claims he is willing to consider suing Cruz over Mr. Cruz's "natural" citizenship.  The amazing thing is Trump could be right.

So, you see how easily we can get on a merry-go-round of recriminations.

Is this Republican campaign not the lowest level of "discussion" of any Presidential campaign in modern history?  The only redeeming quality I can see is that now the dirty tricks -- the push-polls, the foul and disdainful language, are more out in the open than in 1972, for instance.  However, overall, the 2016 campaign makes the 1972 campaign look like Saturday afternoon tea among gentlemen.

At least now we have a gentle lady.   And I'm not completely sure about that.