The upcoming US presidential election has certainly sent waves across the globe. Even the UK is well aware of the high profile nature of politics in the US. We hear tales of grand rallies, celebrity backing, and an array of related merchandise. The reports constantly update us about polling figures, showcasing the fluctuating popularity of the contestants. Interestingly, enthusiasm amongst voters is reportedly on the rise.
This sense of zest, however, seems almost foreign when compared to our local Irish political encounters. Conjuring images of any Irish politician basking in the limelight à la balloon drop is indeed odd, let alone expecting the kind of unadulterated worship evident in Obama’s ‘Hope’ poster or the Trump flags. Can we even imagine any Irish political representative sparking a viral sensation like the “brat summer”, courtesy of pop star Charli XCX in support of Kamala Harris?
In comparison, our political engagements seem more tuned towards intimate community halls rather than packed stadiums. However, with our politicians preparing for an intense campaigning period during the fall, alongside a dwindling voter turnout, the question arises: could injecting some American-style enthusiasm invigorate Irish politics?
Of course, in America, enthusiasm mostly equates to financial support. Joe Biden’s replacement with Kamala Harris not only increased the democratic polling figures but also triggered a surge in campaign donations.
Ironically, notable college dropouts like Simon Harris, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are successful beyond comparison, despite the rising dropout rates being a cause for concern in Ireland.
In stark contrast, picturing an Irish politician emulating Kamala’s ‘brat summer’ seems unrealistic.
Lastly, one can’t help pondering over Kevin Kilbane’s remarks: While Ireland might lack a stellar midfield, the ongoing absence of tenacity in the face of adversity leaves a lot to be desired.
In 1975, the US Supreme Court ruled that expenditures for political campaigns were protected under the right to free speech. Therefore, the financial support behind a campaign is often equated to fervour or excitement around a candidate. The latest candidate secured over half a billion dollars in funding following the announcement of her run for office on July 21. Notably, $82 million was received during the Democratic National Convention’s four-day event, presenting a clear indication of significant support from the base. However, it’s debatable whether the convention served more as a vehicle for voter enthusiasm or a fundraising initiative.
Contrarily, the buildup to elections in Irish politics doesn’t majorly focus on how well-funded a specific political party, such as Fianna Fail, is. Our political culture, defined by expenditure and donation limits, prohibitions on television advertising, and general suspicion towards well-funded campaigns, also highlights an unease about the pervasiveness of money in politics.
The 2018 Together for Yes campaign, a crowdfunder that amassed 10 times its 50,000 euro goal, is an anomaly to this trend. This initiative could possibly serve as a good example of how public support can translate into tangible financial contributions. The fundraising strategy emphasised the strong opposition to the vote and directly linked donations to the alignment of donors’ values and identities. Public figures from various sectors including culture, music, acting, business, and memes contributed significantly to the campaign. The sight of people sporting political merchandise on Dublin’s streets, from badges to jumpers to t-shirts, was quite remarkable.
It’s interesting to note that such campaigns aren’t about individual personalities or political bodies. Rather, they’re centred around ideas, a clear choice between two positions, and a single defined opposing side. Unlike this, the multitude of faces on lampposts around election time reflects the personal-centric nature of our elections.
The reluctance of the voting public to form an emotional connection with a political personality is not necessarily harmful. It is essential to note that historically, enthusiasm implied a form of religious extremism. The US election reflects an unsettling messianic aura, especially with Donald Trump accepting sycophantic adulation from his followers as if he were a divine entity. Michelle Obama found it necessary to remind her party that both Kamala and Tim are mere mortals and not flawless beings. Having to express such a thing to a dedicated party member or an average Irish voter seems far-fetched, and definitely not needed to remind them that a political leader is “imperfect.”
Our elections, unlike theirs, are not based on a black-and-white decision-making process. The motive behind the Harris-Walz campaign is as much to defeat a phantom enemy as it is to achieve anything else. This reflects the obsession with the single-minded agenda “one, holy, and Apostolic mission: defeating Trump” as described by Fintan O’Toole.
In our politics, the complex crises we require our chosen officials to tackle in the forthcoming Dáil – the housing shortage, climate emergency, and threat of political aggression – do not each conveniently have a designated villain. However, as parties begin the journey to voters’ doorsteps in the coming months, they should focus on finding compassionate, fair solutions to these problems rather than getting diverted by pettiness and personalising the choice. A concise vision and an effective strategy that voters can rally behind could take us a lot further.
Contributed by Liz Carolan, who specialises in democracy and technology and pens articles for TheBriefing.ie.