What a wacky presidential election race.

Due to hostile tactics, followed by predictable retaliations, the public is being presented with a ridiculous, high-powered, prolonged celebrity battle, albeit fascinating because of its peculiarity.

Sadly, what is missing is the more normal campaign, where the candidates mainly put forward their ideas on the important matters — the national economy, global relations, national security, social stressors and others.

The cable news networks find such bitter discourse prime fodder, fueling the craziness of it all, ultimately in the interest of higher ratings.

Most people are being captivated and entertained, if with some disgust, by the daily bizarre twists and turns much more than we are learning about the candidates’ stances on the issues.

Maybe, in the face of naive optimism, the upcoming debates will swing the pendulum toward normalcy, and the public can have the pleasure of being informed, rather than attesting to what could become an even more inflamed brawl.

Norm Gellatly, Auburn