Editorial: Keep ‘football mentality’ out of political process

Are you ready for some talking?

It’s time for fans all across America to dig in, flip on the tube and root for their team.

In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see many fans schedule large parties, complete with full accommodations to help enhance the viewing experience.

Will it be the young upstart from Illinois or the elder statesman from Arizona who ends up taking the upper hand in this first head-to-head battle?

It’s going to get heated. Expect a great deal of trash talking on both sides, no matter who actually appears to be winning.

It’s “Friday Night Debate.” Or, if you’re watching on NBC, “Debate Night in America.”

Yes, America’s political process is beginning to look more and more like a high-stakes football game each day, and it inspires the same type of blind devotion in its followers.

The question we must ask ourselves is whether or not this is a positive development.

Part of what makes football this nation’s most popular source of entertainment (and, truth be told, there’s nothing even close to approaching football’s popularity in this country) is the fact that the outcome is ultimately meaningless.

Whether a team goes winless or finishes the season with a Super Bowl victory, nothing changes in the fan’s day-to-day life. A Denver Broncos’ win doesn’t improve the Colorado school system, but it sure puts every Rocky Mountain resident in a good mood.

People thoroughly enjoy diving into the game’s details while endlessly debating the strategies and personalities. For a fan, it’s an emotional rollercoaster with full catharsis, yet there is no serious consequence for being on the wrong side. Regardless of how serious some people take it, nothing will ever change the fact that, in the end, it’s all just fun and games.

Politics is an altogether different animal.

These elections — whether it’s on the national, state or local levels — directly impact everyone’s quality of life. The decisions made here will leave a lasting impact.

Clearly, more nuanced thinking is necessary.

Anyone who approaches these debates with a football mentality is doing themselves a disservice, and any candidate who attempts to appeal exclusively to his or her base is doing the voting public a disservice.

Wednesday’s candidate forum at West center was the first in a number of events to help community members get to know these politicians better. It’s vitally important for each of these forums to allow for an open exchange of ideas so voters can thoughtfully and accurately judge which candidate best represents their core values.

However, as the size of the election increases, the probability of that aforementioned football mentality taking hold increases along with it.

Will tonight’s debate between Barack Obama and John McCain simply be another exercise in prepared sound bytes, or will something of substance actually occur?

It’s time to expect more from the election process. The unnecessary vitriol between opposing sides does nothing but inhibit this country’s ability to move beyond the petty nonsense and tackle the important problems every American faces.

Because, believe it or not, we’re all on the same side here.