Just stick to real issues

By Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

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The president is coming to town.

We can thank Iowa's political status as a “battleground state” for the visit. Both President Barack Obama and presidential challenger Mitt Romney have been or will be making appearances in the state in efforts take the six electoral votes that are up for grabs.

Obama's visit will be the first to Waterloo by a sitting president since President George W. Bush appeared at Riverfront Stadium in 2004. Prior to that, President Ronald Reagan appeared at McElroy Auditorium on the National Cattle Congress grounds in 1984.

It's not a regular occurrence, so we're grateful for the visit.

We will be eternally grateful if we are able to hear workable strategies to improve the economy and ratchet down the 8.3 percent unemployment rate - both of which have been major unresolved issues for the entire Obama presidency.

We'd rather not be the state where another fictional character joins the campaign, like “Romney Hood” did in Connecticut.

Romney responded by coining the term “Obamaloney.”

It's another outgrowth of campaigns that are heavy on attack ads and finger-pointing, while hiding the biggest issues facing the nation. The ads include quotes taken way out of context.

Meanwhile, reports from several fact-checkers continue to discredit major aspects of the attacks from both sides.

So now we get: “I know you are, but what am I?”

The sad truth is that negative advertising seems to work. And at this point, neither candidate really has much to lose by using it. A recent MSNBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed negative views of the two candidates are already at record-setting range for this point in an election cycle. Obama was viewed unfavorably by 43 percent in the poll, while 40 percent feel the same way about Romney.

At the end of July, Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson commented on the “politics of polarization.” The piece ended with the line: “Meanwhile, America is well on its way to a disturbing destination: A nation with the responsibilities of a superpower and the politics of a banana republic.”

We won't argue with that, because it's a reasonable assessment.

Fairy tale characters might work for the ultra-supportive Obama backers. Combining the president's name with lunch meat might do the same for Romney supporters.

They may not work so much for independents and moderates of both parties, who are still hungry for legitimate discussion before making an informed decision. They want to hear a solid breakdown of strategies, especially in relation to the economy and unemployment. The eventual winner will need them to take this battleground state and others.

We're quite sure that most clear-thinking Iowans can see through the smoke that has been cloaking the campaigns. Unfortunately, it's become a regular tactic in modern campaigns, with television and social media audiences eating it up.

Here in Iowa, we have enjoyed our leadoff spot in the caucus/primary process, because it brings candidates here. We can ask questions and listen to them on a more personal level. Similarly, we rather fancy being one of the “battleground states” this year.

Still, we'd rather pass on the pep rally antics and grenade lobbing and get down to real issues.

Here's hoping for some sound discussion laced with truth and prospective strategies.

We've already had it with smokescreens and fairy tales.