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Slow Boring ·Behind the news

Politics Should Be More Boring

by Matthew Yglesias

Published 2026-08-27 10:02:58+00:00

If the actual work of governing is boring, why do politicians have to be exciting?

0:00 / 13:36 · Narrator Algieba

Context

A 27 August 2026 piece from Slow Boring observes a strange habit in modern politics. Primary voters and cable news consistently reward candidates who know how to go viral and dominate a news cycle. But the day-to-day work of running a country involves tedious technical tasks, like balancing budgets and drafting policy. That leaves a practical question: if being an entertaining attention-grabber fails to help a leader win a general election or govern effectively, why does the political system demand it?

Show notes

An argument against the modern demand for exciting, attention-grabbing politicians. By contrasting viral candidates with low-key but successful governors, the analysis separates the skills needed to win a crowded primary from those required to win a general election. Argues that voters should prioritize managerial competence over entertainment.

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