The Scottish Play and the American President

In theatrical circles, it is considered extremely dangerous to mention the name of Macbeth within the  theatre.  Such is the level of superstition that it is often referred to as the Scottish play or the Scottish King amongst other pseudonyms and should one dare to mention the 'M' word, elaborate, ritualistic steps are taken to dispel the curse and protect oneself against imminent misfortune or bad luck.  The same rule could have been applied to last week's Republican convention.  McCain's team need  to persuade voters that they are the party for change.  The 'B' word was therefore hardly mentioned and apart from the first lady, 'B's appearance was via a large screen.  Such was the care taken to try politefully and respectfully to distance McCain from George W Bush, that you'd be forgiven for thinking that the incumbent President belonged to another party.   

In his  acceptance speech, McCain tried to reach beyond the Republican base and reach a broader electorate through a rhetoric that was peppered with vocabulary alluding to his military past and his experience as a prisoner of war.  McCain has not got an easy task with the spectre of Bush hanging over him and the 'in your face' vitality of Palin threatening to overshadow him. Yet polls show that Obama and McCain are now neck and neck with 42% each. Let's hope that Macbeth does not become an albatross.