David Foster Wallace, American writer and novelist, discusses his experiences following the doomed campaign of John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. The podcast explores the impact of negative campaigning and the rise of technology, comparing the 2000 election to the Trump era. It also contrasts Wallace's authenticity with Trump's cynicism as political figures and examines the influence of Trump's controversial remarks on the current political landscape.
McCain's appeal as an outsider candidate in 2000 stemmed from his genuine and authentic persona amidst a sea of packaged and artificial politicians.
The rise of Donald Trump's populism in 2016 showcased the power of embracing cynicism and controversy in politics, contrasting with McCain's more subdued approach.
The shift from hardware to software and the democratization of information sharing through social media platforms like Twitter have transformed the political landscape, allowing direct engagement between candidates and voters.
Deep dives
David Foster Wallace's Essay on John McCain's Campaign in 2000
David Foster Wallace, a renowned novelist and essayist, writes an essay about John McCain's presidential campaign in 2000. Wallace explores McCain's appeal as an outsider candidate, being recognized as a genuine and authentic human being in a political landscape dominated by packaged and artificial politicians. Wallace delves into the paradox of McCain's populism, examining how he connects with voters despite his relatively conservative views. He also analyzes the role of technology in politics, highlighting the shift from hardware to software and how this impacts news coverage. The essay contemplates the challenges McCain faces when negative campaigning is used against him, ultimately exploring the question of how to sell a candidate who refuses to be sold.
The Differences Between McCain's and Trump's Populism
The essay contrasts the impact of John McCain's populism in 2000 with the rise of Donald Trump's populism in 2016. It highlights the changing technological landscape and the role of social media platforms in amplifying Trump's message. Unlike McCain, Trump actively embraces the cynical and controversial aspects of politics, leading to a different kind of authenticity that resonates with certain voters. The essay also touches on the failure of McCain's campaign in 2008 and the emergence of Sarah Palin as an attempt to capture the populist movement. Ultimately, the difference between McCain's and Trump's populism lies in their ability to navigate the media landscape and the changing dynamics of political communication.
The Impact of Technology on Politics
The essay emphasizes the role of technology in politics, particularly the shift from hardware to software and the democratization of information sharing. It reflects on how the landscape has changed from a world where gatekeepers controlled the narrative to a permissionless platform-driven environment. This shift allowed candidates like Trump to directly engage with voters, bypassing traditional media channels. Furthermore, the essay highlights the influence of social media platforms like Twitter in shaping the political discourse and political campaigns.
The Paradox of Political Authenticity
The essay explores the paradox of political authenticity and the challenges politicians face in presenting themselves as genuinely human while conforming to the demands of modern political campaigning. It examines the tension between a candidate's true self and the need to be packaged and sold to the public. McCain, with his war hero backstory and unpolished speaking style, represents a unique example of balancing authenticity and political success. In contrast, Trump's ability to authentically embrace his own controversial and unconventional persona allows him to connect with voters who perceive traditional politicians as inauthentic and untrustworthy.
The Ephemeral Nature of Political Campaigns
The essay reflects on the fleeting nature of political campaigns and how even compelling moments, like McCain's response to negative advertising, may ultimately have little impact. It underscores the hard realities of American politics, where incumbents are difficult to defeat and conventional campaign narratives often prevail. The essay also acknowledges the limitations of its own narrative, highlighting that it cannot fully capture the course of history that unfolded after its publication, including Sarah Palin's influence, McCain's 2008 candidacy, and the rise of Donald Trump.
This week’s episode in our series on the great political essays is about David Foster Wallace’s ‘Up, Simba!’, which describes his experiences following the doomed campaign of John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. Wallace believed that McCain’s distinctive political style revealed some hard truths about American democracy. Was he right? What did he miss? And how do those truths look now in the age of Trump?
‘The risk Wallace takes is to guess he is not the only "obscenely well-educated", curiously lost and empty white boy out there; that his sadness is also the experience of a whole historical moment.’
‘It was the essayists who were left to cope with his almost radioactive influence. He produced a great deal of excellent writing, the majority of it not his own.’
