Muse – Screaming Fans in Politics

When one is popular, one of the most endearing aspects are the screaming fans. There’s nothing more gratifying, I can imagine, than walking out on stage and being greeted by the full on cheer that almost knock you back off the stage. The pure effort in assaulting the famed person with their presence speaks for itself.

Though there’s one venue in which it can backfire. Politics.

Namely, some of Howard Dean’s screaming fans have given me something to think about. Nothing against screaming in general. Its good for getting out a warning or flagging down someone who isn’t close enough for your average tone of voice. But there are places where it isn’t appropriate.

One place is on Cspan.

Several months ago, when the snow was still thick on the ground, I was treated to one of the most amusing audio spectacles I’ve ever heard on Cspan in my short time listening to it. Amid a call in portion of the show, this elderly woman called in and totally blew my socks off with her ranting endorsement of Howard Dean. The poor dear sounded like she was half in a fit of mania, voice raised and spoken at a hurried, frantic pace.

Mixed with the less than stellar reasoning and notes of -only- donating money to Dean and that she’d vote for no one except for Dean, her overall effect was likely the last thing she’d want. Personally, were I not the type to separate the supporters from the leaders, I’d have lost a great deal of respect for Dean at that point. What there is I have of it for any of the candidates in this race, no matter their side.

I heard another of those ranting fans today, which brought my thoughts back to that first lady. Fans are a great thing, but with the advent of mass media and the ease at which one can spread their views to millions of viewers in a single call or appearance, people such as these can have a great negative effect on their adored figures.

These folk need to step back a moment and look at themselves. Is that really an image that will help?