Im standing in a buffet line, staring at the back of Greta Van Susterens head. Its a surprisingly small head, and it looks much like it did during my days as an intern at CNNs Washington Bureau.
Back then, a perpetually perplexed-looking Greta and her bevy of assistants would brush past me in the hallway, never acknowledging my existence. Tonight, except for the plastic surgery thats noticeably softened her frown lines, things are very much the same.
Accordingly, I revert to my 20-year-old self and say nothing. As I wait for her to finish dishing salad onto her plate, I feel like Scrooge receiving a visit from the spirits of my past. Im at Belmont Universitys presidential debate, surrounded by politicians, pundits and media from around the world, and seeing all of them here together reminds me of why Ive always hated politics.
A little over a decade ago, I went to Washington expecting to be inspired by the political process, and mentored by some of the biggest names in the news business. As it turned out, the politicians were slick purveyors of speeches, sound bites and lascivious stares at the hopeful young women surrounding them. The news mentors werent much better; a number of them, I found, were openly on the hunt for a little intern ass. By the time I left, my naiveté had evaporated; Id simply been one of a herd of college coeds let loose in the city for the summer, skittering about the Capitol like lambs in a den of wolves.
The experience taught me that politics is a dirty game, carefully orchestrated and staged, and I had no interest in playing. I felt disillusioned by a government that seemed laden with corruption and out of touch with reality. All these years later, my opinion hasnt really changed. Im sure plenty of men and women go into politics with very good intentions. I cant see how they could possibly make it all the way to the Capitol without selling out. They wouldnt survive among the sharks I saw there.
So while I almost always vote, I do so reluctantly, feeling like Im choosing the lesser of two evils. I watch both Democrats and Republicans on television with a certain amount of disgust, remembering this ones insistence on all-female interns, and that ones blonde, tanned, Louis Vuitton-toting daughter telling me over lunch one day that her congressman dad was like, the worlds best partier. Seriously, hes completely wild.
Generally, my disillusionment is seen as OK, healthy even. But as the presidential election gets closer, it seems like nearly everyone around me has taken sides. They are ardent, they are angry and they cant believe I havent chosen a captain in whats turned into a brutal battle for the presidency.
I came to the presidential debate as a member of the media, but in the end I felt more like Dorothy entering Oz, hoping things had changed since I last mingled among the politicos, and that I would magically find the answers I was seeking. Instead, just as I did 13 years ago, I found the Washington Wizards to be flawed and out of touch, still hiding behind their Emerald Citys grand and imposing gates.
There is one difference this time around. Its not my youth that gets the politicians attention anymore; its my demographic. Im a middle-class, moderate Mommy in the Middle. Im not tied down to any one party. Im concerned about taxes, the economy, the environment and the rising cost of healthcare. It becomes abundantly clear as McCain and Obama pose and posture on the debate stage that Im the one they want. And theyll say whatever it takes to get me.
In one breath, they both promise to reduce the deficit, cut spending and fix the economy. In another, they assure me tax relief and healthcare reform. I dont understand how they can possibly accomplish reducing the deficit and giving me more of my earnings, but it sure does sound good.
Experience, however, has taught me to be skeptical. Each man accuses the other of being a Washington insider. I have to laugh at that one. Theyre both senators. Theyre both right.
If Im the Scrooge in this tale of disenchantment, then clearly the ghost of my future is confronting me on the hundreds of flat-screen televisions peppering the debates cavernous media center. Trying to decide between the two men feels much like reading a choose-your-own-adventure novel, but with things the way they are, both outcomes seem bleak. Once again, I find myself mulling over which of these candidates is the lesser of two evils.
And Im still not entirely sure.