Stereotypically Canadian...

The political atmosphere in the United States is absolutely riveting. Barack Obama was recently named as the official Democratic Presidential candidate after a historic and potentially damaging race with Hillary Clinton.

If you happen to be lucky enough to have access to cable tv, you may have noticed how some of the American networks have so entertainingly covered the race. CNN has been treating it like episodes of Monday Night Football; using ridiculous graphics and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-esque thumping music.

Many people have mentioned to me that the Canadian political landscape is baren in comparison. I tend to agree. Stephen Harper is as exciting as watching paint dry and Stephane Dion's perceived lack of a backbone and forced yelps during Question Period certainly don't add any flare. Jack Leyton and the NDP might spice it up if he could ever pick one thing to get angry about.

Although the mix of a well-spoken Obama, feisty Clinton and McCain the Vet certainly overshadows our Canadian content, something must be said for the role media coverage plays in these things. Politics with Don Newman on CBC can be exciting, but only if you're a political junkie or a nerdy current events follower like myself.

So what would happen if Canadian media outlets took a page from their cool and hip American counterparts? Perhaps it would spark something from the minute level of fuel coming off the Canadian politicians or it could make a mockery of what traditional and serious politics is all about. The worst outcome would be some kind of Canadianized hybrid. From a historical perspective, this could suck. Just look at Canadian Idol.

One more thought to consider. When watching CNN or Fox or NBC for coverage of the Presidential race, check out who the commercials are coming from. You'll notice that the American Coalition for Clean Coal and ExxonMobil are regulars during the CNN breaks. And they're both spouting their dismissive and vague environmental messages. Keep yourselves aware; those ads are crap.

I suppose one advantage of keeping our political media coverage relatively mundane will be the prevention of corporatizing the system to the same degree experienced by our neighbours to the south. After all, democracy wasn't created to make politics "cool".

On another note...Go Pens!!!