Lying as theater

To some degree or other, lying is always part of a political campaign but I don't remember witnessing such a straight-forward, simplistic, blatant strategy of unnecessary lying as the one practiced by the Republicans now. Sarah Palin's misleading "bridge to nowhere" story is a case in point. She could have easily told the truth, she was for it before she was against it, and given it a spin that made her look admirable, like someone who could change her mind when new facts are learned.

Astonishingly, at least to me who thought better of him, McCain today told a cheering audience that Palin put her executive jet on ebay and sold it for a profit. In fact, she did put it on ebay several times but couldn't sell it -- so she hired a broker, who sold it for a loss. Why lie? Just putting it on ebay, which is the truth, is a great story and demonstrates a creative solution to a problem.

These "unnecessary" lies, of course, make for much better theater. This is the practice of all creative writers, exaggeration for dramatic effect. But does this strategy belong in politics? It appears to be the new mainstay of the Republican strategy.

Palin is not being made available to the press. This, too, is shocking. I'm beginning to suspect that they'll find a sympathetic reason for her to skip the debate, such as her "special needs" child needing sudden special attention. She'll skip the debate and look like a fantastic mom.

I've never seen anything like this campaign. It reminds me of "Wag the Dog," pure Hollywood. It reminds me of the end of Durrenmatt's play The Physicists, when the evil hunched-back nurse says, The machines are running.