Quite apart from the particular media, the hidden ground of American politics is now a simultaneous information environment that extends to the entire planet. This situation is structured and patterned for role-playing rather than for goals or policies. In effect, this means that both political parties and policies have little relevance in a world that expect a total-service environment. The charismatic image has replaced the goals and the parties and the policies. The main characteristic of an information environment is the proliferation of attractive images and promises. It is a world of public relations and prestige. It is a world of entertainment and promises, characteristic of the folklore of the advertising world, Mr. Ford and Mr. Carter are both, in their different ways, adequate television images.