Conventional Wisdom: Tracking Political Optics

Power today hinges on optics rather than concrete outcomes. Winning involves appearing inevitable; losing involves being caught in an unfavorable moment. The machinery of power continues to operate smoothly, though not always in the intended direction.

Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader has hosted high-profile meetings with President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in quick succession, positioning Beijing as a central stage for both the U.S. and Russia. The Trump summit was executed with precision—from the ceremonial walk at Zhongnanhai to the state banquet and well-staged photos. A viral video falsely claiming Xi provided Trump with a shorter and softer sofa to appear smaller gained unexpected attention, benefiting Xi by driving global discourse, even after being debunked. His mastery in managing appearances extended to influencing conspiracy narratives.

Todd Blanche

Trump’s former personal defense lawyer, now serving as acting attorney general, has established a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund”. This fund is designed to compensate individuals who claim governmental targeting against them. Blanche controls financial resources to support Trump’s allies, translating loyalty into a strategic financial investment.

Tony Dokoupil

CBS suffered a setback by failing to obtain a China visa for its lead anchor promptly, forcing him to report from a Taiwan hotel during a crucial summit. The situation deteriorated further when he was barred from broadcasting again. An on-air disruption occurred when his cameraman faced a medical emergency. His journey halfway across the globe resulted in mistakenly reporting from an unintended location.

Robert Karem

During a May 11 Armed Services subcommittee hearing, the Republican Senate aide and former Assistant Secretary of Defense leaned over to remind Senator Mitch McConnell of the remaining questions by three senators. Meanwhile, Trump, en route to Beijing, criticized him publicly, stating Karem should be “immediately fired” for supposedly making McConnell appear “foolish and out of it.” Competence, when displayed visibly at the wrong time, may now lead to dismissal.

Tina Peters

Amid prolonged pressure from the White House, Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis commuted the nine-year sentence imposed on the former Mesa County Clerk and 2020 election conspiracy theorist. The sentence was related to tampering with her voting equipment. Though she didn’t legally succeed in her case, she managed to outlast the circumstances surrounding it.

John Cavanaugh

The Omaha state senator narrowly lost a Nebraska Democratic congressional primary to political organizer Denise Powell. Some party insiders expressed reluctance to support him due to his perceived critical role within the state legislature. His influence was seen as vital in preserving Nebraska’s unique electoral system, which consistently ensures Democratic presidential candidates secure an elector from this predominantly Republican state. In politics, being both essential and stagnant holds the same implication.

Originally a staple of Newsweek’s print edition, Conventional Wisdom used arrows to track whose stock was rising or falling in the political circus. In the digital era, this revival targets hyperbole and partisan assertions veiled as insight—an issue that has worsened over time.

Conventional Wisdom assigns indicators—up, down, or sideways—to figures and influences shaping current events. These indicators don’t forecast the future or claim exclusive insight. They reflect the current climate without bias, striving for balanced analysis amidst predominant partisanship. By operating from a central stance, the aim is to critique left and right perspectives equally, aiming to deflate exaggerated reputations and acknowledge unrecognized truths.

If you concur with our editors’ assessment of the political climate, feel free to send us your thoughts.