There Oughtta Be a Word For It

October 21, 2006

During the debate between congressional candidates John Gard (R) and Steve Kagen (D) there was an interesting verbal attack. Responding to a question about global warming, Gard pointed out that Kagen arrives to events in a large gas-guzzling Suburban. For Gard it was a chance to point out the hypocrisy of a liberal. Kagen did not respond, and I assume that it is true that Kagen uses a large vehicle for his campaign.

Stop and consider that charge for a moment. Is Kagen really supposed to show up to campaign events in a small electric car, so that he can be un-hypocritical? I hate big vehicles, but if I were running for office, I too would strongly consider such a vehicle so that I could travel with a group of people and perhaps even talk to reporters while in transit.

What would happen if Gard arrived at a campaign event in a gas-guzzling SUV? No one would mention it because Republicans are supposedly in favor of consumption.. and so the "hypocritical" factor would be dead.

This is a common strategy.. and as far as I know there is no name for it. Conservatives undermine the large-scale policy goals of liberals by pointing out personal choices that are in contradiction to them. It is an unfair argument for the simple fact that everyone must play with the system that is present now, and wanting to change the system does not mean one stops living. For example, I may be in favor of greater funding of public transportation, but just because I drive to the grocery store every week (and avoid an inconvenient bus schedule) does not mean I am a hypocrite.. although that would be an easy charge to make.

Gard made a similar charge against Kagen when it came to his proposals for health care. Apparently part of Kagen's plan for reforming health care involves prescribing a certain amount of transparency as to pricing. Gard immediately asked that if transparency is so necessary and helpful, why doesn't Kagen (who is a doctor with his own clinic) practice that transparency? Again the implication: Kagen is a hypocrite. I assume that the value of transparency would come only if it were generalized. A lone clinic practicing transparency would be a case of clinical hare kare.

I mention these cases because I think it is a common mode of attack in politics today.. and it is a way of making a side that is in favor of change look ridiculous. But that should be the tip-off that it is a false argument. It is a line of attack that cannot possibly be turned against the side in favor of the status quo. Dick Cheney can arrive to campaign events in a Hummer; he can be a millionaire; he can visit expensive private medical centers.. and no one will ever call him a hypocrite.. this is the world he perpetuates. But let a liberal try to change anything about that world, and every little step will be critically examined for evidence of hypocrisy.