Dale Peterson- The renaissance of popular bigotry

First off, Dylan, I'm sorry, I really am, but I can't help myself and its no big thing if we both post our opinions on this on the page. But if you aren't happy with this, I'll remove it. Cheers.

Now, on to Dale Peterson.

Alabama is, perhaps, one of the more stereotyped American states, most notably for being world leaders in bigotry, racism, xenophobia and winning the war on good taste. Interestingly, though, the focus on the state in this vane seems to have petered out a bit; in fact, Alabama has slipped into what could be termed 'semi obscurity'. However, one man, a man who has been a farmer, a cop, a businessman and a marine during Vietnam has dared to prove that Alabama never loses its bigotry, you just need to know where to find it. And it would appear that I, among others have found it in a big way.

I would refer readers to his Republican pre-selection advertisement for the Alabama Agricultural Commissioner, which can be viewed at the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU7fhIO7DG0
After watching this, you would probably find yourself saying 'Only in Alabama', and too true. It was said by Abraham Lincoln "Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people" and in true Republican style, Peterson ticks that box quite comprehensively. Mix in a bit of fearmongering, a gun and some good ol' fashioned bigotry, season lightly with edgy and discontinuous editing and you've got yourself one hell of a policy platform.

You'll notice that Peterson says, while getting down from his white stallion that he was a marine during Vietnam. That shows just how many credentials this candidate has: Republicans have always been better at staying at home while others fight the wars that their so good at declaring and lets face it, everyone loves a war hero that never had to be.

Another great aspect of Peterson's ad is the way he quickly injects fear into the red blood of the Alabamans just like a good Republican economic manager injects money into the economy straight out of the printers. Another point is the way he cites the unkonwn as the core of Alabama's problems, hell, I'd be scared if thugs and criminals took my hard earned agricultural money, or if illegals (presumably illegal immigrants) were sneaking over the border for that matter. I'd be so scared that I wouldn't even have time to realise that Alabama doesn't even border with a foreign country, or that the unemployment rate in Alabama isn't due to an underperforming agricultural sector, I'd reach for the 12 gauge and run to the polling booth, letting nothing get in my way.

An interesting thought in passing is the extent to which Peterson politicises things such as immigration, economic management and the regulation of industries and how this contrasts with the nature of the position that he's campaigning for. Who said a position that is departmental in nature and meant to be impartial couldn't be politicised? No one did, but the Republicans take it one step further and make it an astutely political office. Thats the American way.

This brings me to the final point that I'd like to make about this ad, its the way that after centuries of the Republican Party, they don't feel the need to change the way they reach out to voters, which is implicit in the symbolism. At the beginning of the ad, Peterson steps down from his white stallion, removing his sunglasses and talking dead straight. Isn't this the way every Republican candidate tries to appear? The valiant alpha male with the shiny boots, the cream coloured cowboy hat and the uncompromising focus on how he's talking at the expense of what he's saying.

Then there's the punchy camera work. The average Alabaman doesn't want a one take ad, they want lots of frames and close up revisions ALL THE TIME! EXTREME CLOSE UP! LONG SHOT! CHANGE OF ANGLE! NOW LETS GET A SHOT WITH HIM HOLDING A GUN! This all makes the guy look like a strong, uncompromising leader, who will never let the facts change his leadership: The kinda guy who will shoot on site if you come to his ranch with a detailed explanation of what the 2nd Amendment actually meant.

So what do we get from all this? Well, at the very least, it reaffirms that bigotry is alive and well in the great state of Alabama, and not only that, but that it still influences the operation of departmental structures there. Perhaps Peterson is that one man who never lets Alabama forget its past, or perhaps he's just faling into line with the Republican tradition of letting the volume of the message compensate for its lack of meaning; Not only is bigotry still a popular selling point of departmental politics, its still a cornerstone of any successful Alabaman policy platform.

The Republican Party: Some things never change. I'd say if Menzies had been a few pounnds heavier, wore a cowboy hat and enjoyed shooting illegal immigrants on the border with his banjo twanging mates, He'd be mighty proud of this development.