Jory: Model T Ford for a V8 world
21.05.12
Elections are now the equivalent of presidential battles.
The parties and philosophies are represented by dominant personalities, leaders who are carefully staged-managed and manipulated by minders and advertising experts to sell the party message.
This trend is influenced by a desire of the major parties to focus voters on a person rather than a party. This is done to ensure their public story is "sold" by the most competent and influential spokesperson and to avoid conflicting policy presentations.
The final product is shaped by the complexity and diversion of the modern media, the influence of minders and press staff and the visibility and appeal of the American presidential system.
The focus on party leaders also gives a form of ownership to voters. They develop an affection for the leader as well as the party.But the constitutional anomaly occurs when voters get to the polling booth and there are no ballot papers for Ms Gillard or Mr Abbott.
Source: Adelaide Now