The cure for campaign fatigue
In the final week, ‘elective compulsive disorder’ and other maladies are rampant.
I don’t think I’m the only one with a case of “elective compulsive disorder—a relentless obsession about this election,” said Patt Morrison in the Los Angeles Times. Polls, weather patterns in Ohio, more polls—“nothing’s too minor to obsess over.” ECD is everywhere: bumper-sticker road rage, stealing lawn signs, and worse. Luckily, with less than a week left, “the end of crazy is in sight.”
Compulsion? How about “sudden election fatigue syndrome?” said Jeralyn Merritt in TalkLeft. “I’m electioned out,” avoiding the national news, and rarely checking the Internet. Maybe it would be different if the election were closer, but it seems over, and things may not get interesting again until January.
Well, you clearly haven’t caught the “Obama derangement syndrome” that’s “sweeping the nation,” said Kirsten Powers in the New York Post. This malady, “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people” over anything to do with Barack Obama, is an offshoot of “Bush derangement syndrome,” except this time “it’s bipartisan,” afflicting Republicans and Hillary Clinton supporters alike.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
If you can’t take it any more, said Bill McEwen in The Fresno Bee, it turns out there’s a “perfect remedy for voter-fatigue syndrome”—voting early. Many states now allow it, and once you cast your ballot, you can ignore Keith Olbermann, Sean Hannity, Joe the Plumber, and all the gossip and innuendo of the “silly season.” It feels great.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Antony Gormley's Time Horizon – a 'judgmental army' of 100 cast-iron men
The Week Recommends Sculptures are 'everymen questioning the privilege of their surroundings' at the Norfolk stately home
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'King's horses take free rein through London'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is pop music now too reliant on gossip?
Talking Point Taylor Swift's new album has prompted a flurry of speculation over who she is referring to in her songs
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published