Posturing is the cornerstone of modern politics

Campaigns and Crankiness 

By CHARLES M. BLOW, NYT

Have I ever told you that I get a bit curmudgeonly when I grow weary? No? Well, sit a spell. Take your shoes off.

We are in the middle of another tight presidential election where the contrast between the candidates is sharp, but the discourse is dull. That's the problem.

There isn't a dime's distance between Obama and Romney in the polls. This election is close. But we still have nearly five months before votes are cast so I'm getting irritated because we're being inundated with inanities. (I also abuse alliteration when I'm tired - so there.)

Pundits pick over every strategic or tactical machination - they break it down, comb through it and analyze it to no end. These maneuvers are always part of a war on something sacred: women, religion, the middle-class, job creators, logic, freedom.

Every political position heralds the end of times, or at least the end of America's time, as if we are still the envy of all others, the ones who rise above and go beyond, the do-right country with the can-do attitude.

(More here.)