Ideology is overrated

Here is what we have learned recently about ideology in politics. The “lessons” of Goldwater, McCain & Romney weren’t what people said. They said that you have to win the mushy middle, so you cannot be too far right or too far left. If that was true in the past (debatable), it’s not true now.

Obama was the most liberal member of the US Senate. He never made a moderate vote, ever. He filibustered SCOTUS justices. He was a liberal’s liberal.

But he was cool, handsome and had a perfect crease in his pants.

Trump is an out of control egotist narcissist. His policies change daily. The only thing consistent about Trump is his intemperance.

What we’ve learned is that ideology isn’t nearly as important as anyone supposed. What matters is image, the media narrative and elements necessary for celebrity.

Sure there are goofs like me (and you, if you’re reading this) who care about policy. Some of those people become thought leaders and impact the culture. This cycle in combination with Obama’s two wins, however, should teach us that in the modern social network TMZ media culture, ideology is 90% consumed by brand, image.

Ted Cruz would have the primary wrapped up by now if he was a bit more handsome, had a slightly less nasally voice and spouted nonsense like “we need to stop dividing ourselves by party and do the common sense things that work.” His ideology could remain intact. He could govern like a mash of Milton Friedman, Winston Churchill & Ronald Reagan.

Governing is when ideology matters. A country which pursued the policies espoused by Ted Cruz would experience propesprity and security just as Obama’s policies have led to economic stagnation and global insecurity.

We are in the age of celebrity and brand management. President Camacho indeed lurks in our future.

We must start today. We must groom a young candidate to be a celebrity. Immerse the candidate in conservative ideas, but build the candidate’s brand with all the ticks of celebrity. Fill the candidate’s mouth with good feeling nonsense even as you fill his or her policy briefcase with constitutional conservatism.

When it comes to getting elected, ideology is overrated. Branding is king.