"America likes its politicians to communicate their ideas clearly."

???? It does? Look, I know that a number of the more intellectually inclined people here do indeed like their politicians to communicate their ideas clearly....and I know that serious political columnists like it as well...but.....

My impression from all the ridiculous Hoo-Hah and bafflegab that goes on in the mass media generally and during election campaigns is that the majority of Americans aren't interested in clearly expressed ideas nearly as much as they are interested in vague but dramatic general impressions created by demagogues who very seldom present a clear idea! ;-) The American public in general is swayed by sweeping emotional impressions and boldly voiced platitudes and bizarre drama, not by clearly articulated ideas, for gosh sakes!

This is probably so in many other electorates as well.

If I may quote from a Jackson Browne song: "It's who you look like, not who you are." That's what usually works for getting the most votes in the USA. You have to look like you know what you're talking about.

Or as Charlie Brown once hollered at Lucy in utter frustration: "You think you're right, but you're NOT right! You just SOUND right!!!!!!!"

For instance, a demagogue like Ronald Reagan looked right and sounded right to the majority of American voters. He gave the vague impression of having some clear ideas, didn't he? He's even been called "The Great Communicator"! ;-) The master of creating those vague, fuzzy, feel-good impressions...and those snappy sound bites.

DougR will probably accuse Obama of the same thing... (grin) And it's true, Obama is very good at creating those general emotional impressions. He is also, however, absolutely brilliant at clearly grasping and articulating subtle and powerful ideas.