Banana Republicanism

Now bipartisan? My take in Guardian America:

Political press conferences: "They mean you make a few more mistakes because when you answer a lot of questions, and you're a little more open about it, you're going to have to go back sometimes and correct something you said. But it keeps you on your toes."

So said Rudy Giuliani, leading candidate to be the Republican nominee in the 2008 race for the US presidency, last week. If he's serious about hosting more media events, though, he may be in some trouble. When his healthcare proposal turns into a disaster, he might face tough questions about why he misled the public about his opponent's universal coverage plan during the election. And when his bombing campaign against Iran as part of the "terrorist's war on us" fails to accomplish anything, he may have to explain why somebody so unfit to be president thought it would be a good idea to use his country's military to do ... well, anything.

But if this is all just pander, then he may in the end choose to keep his promise by resorting to the current hot fad in American politics: planting fake reporters with pre-fabricated questions in the audience and giving them preference over real journalists. "President Giuliani, you have had three divorces in your adult life and are the father of a handful of estranged children as well. How have you managed to thrive surrounded by so many awful people?" Or: "President Giuliani, now that your market reforms have made prostate cancer a thing of the past in the United States, will you be going to Disneyland?"

Call it banana republicanism. It's become the act of first resort for American politicians who are finding it tough to get their messages out, or who are tired of embarrassing themselves in front of television cameras again and again. In recent days, the tactic has even enjoyed growing appeal across the aisle.