Just a few days ago, pundits and critics alike were quick to dismiss McCain's veep selection as a Republican blunder/even laughable. Palin's appeal to the American people during her speech on Wednesday, turns out, however to be no laughing matter for the Democrats.
During Palin's introduction she painstakingly introduced each member of her family, with primary focus on the males. She first pointed out that her son had been deployed to Iraq and has happily accepted this challenge for the purpose of serving his country. In response, their was a thunderous applaud and the crowd began chanting "U.S.A., U.S.A., ... " The chants were consistent with the theme noted on the placards held high by the attendees: "Country First." First point, Palin and the Republicans are attempting to re-frame the issue pertaining to the war in Iraq, by praising those soldiers who protect this country; thereby, creating a positive response from the audience. Such a response runs counter to the discontent held by a majority of Americans on the same issue when it is framed based on the large number of fatalities and the increased gas prices. Secondly, Palin introduced her husband, as a card carrying union member. Second point, the Republicans are attempting to reach out to working class white males. One point to remember here, as I digress briefly: voters are not voting for Palin, hence, white working-class, uneducated voters who have vowed to "not" vote for a woman, are not planning to vote for Palin, but, are voting for McCain. McCain is still breathing, you know.
Palin's presentation was one that resonated with the average woman, in that she attempted to come across as being a small town mom, who entered the Political scene as a maverick for change. Indeed, her boast about being just your average "hockey mom" received a roar of applause from her audience.
So, what about the elephant in the room, the issue of her unmarried, pregnant daughter? Well, the strategy by the McCain camp was simply to bring her out with the rest of the family, with one addition; the soon-to-be husband and father of the expected child. The strategy was shrewed, in that it promoted family, but, more important it provides a conservative lesson for other families who find themselves in a similar predicament.
So, did the strategy work? Let's take a look at the numbers. Dating back to August 31, 2008, one day after the Obama Speech at the Dem. convention, Obama enjoyed a 49 to 41 point advantage over McCain. However, one day after McCain's speech the eight point differential had been cut in half. Given what we know about the Bradley Effect, what does the Obama camp need to do to regain its lead?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Palin’s Selection: A strategic Choice or a Republican Blunder?
While pledging my fraternity in college, I learned a poem, “Sermons We See” by Edgar Guest. It appears that the Republicans could learn from this poem. It starts:
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day, I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear… "
The Republican Party’s choice of Sarah Palin as their veep candidate has not come without controversy. First, questions abound as to whether she is a qualified candidate, and by extension, would be ready to serve on Day 1, in the event that Senator John McCain is unable to perform his duties if elected president. Secondly, Palin’s strong religious convictions are deemed to be inconsistent with her teachings, given the reports that her 17 year-old, unmarried-daughter is five month’s pregnant. Media sources reveal that the McCain camp knew of Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy before choosing her as the veep candidate. If the strategy was a calculated one, it is consistent with the camp’s attempt to create an “us” v. “them” political environment, whereby Palin and her supporters take on the label of “us” and Obama and his supporters are relegated to a “them” status. Translation: “us-Americans” vs. “them/others.”
As stated in a previous blog, University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, in her research on American National Identity (based on a national random survey), finds that mainly white Americans identify a typical American-citizen as being white and protestant. In making sense of her empirical findings, she uses the story of the slow response to Katrina victims in New Orleans. In other words, the overwhelming majority of those stranded in New Orleans simply did not look like Americans, based on who Americans say are Americans. Rather, they were deemed to be “refugees” in their own country. Additionally, in that same blog, I summarize Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention as an attempt to convince America that she too is an American. She was coerced into making such an appeal to the American public, after she was heavily criticized for stating that "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." Similarly, Obama’s authenticity as an American has been questioned, primarily due to make-believe stories, namely by conservative networks (e.g., Fox News), that he is not a Christian, rather that Barack Hussein Obama is indeed a Muslim (the use of his middle name served as an attempt to trigger negative attitudes toward Saddam Hussein).
Similar to the strategy to question Barack and Michelle Obama’s patriotism/American Identity, the Republican’s strategy (as it relates to their choice of Palin) may in fact be an attempt to create a racial divide by hoping that the anticipated liberal-media’s attack on Palin’s daughter will result in a closing of the ranks by white Americans. Despite the fact that Obama has vehemently denied any mentioning of this issue, and relegating it to a personal issue, there is no doubt that he will become a victim by association (with other liberals). Recall the case of the Emmett Till murder in Mississippi back in 1955. Despite the fact that the individuals, who were accused (and later confessed) of the murder, were poor/working-class whites, they were still white and thus, other middle-class and aristocratic whites were in support of their innocence, simply because of their race. Similarly, the Republicans hope is that a number of whites will see the liberal media as supporting an African-American candidate, while at the same time attacking a poor white mother (one of their own), whose child is considered to have made a simple teenage- mistake. In short, the strategy is to mobilize white support by casting/framing this story as an “us” v. “them,” scenario.
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day, I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear… "
The Republican Party’s choice of Sarah Palin as their veep candidate has not come without controversy. First, questions abound as to whether she is a qualified candidate, and by extension, would be ready to serve on Day 1, in the event that Senator John McCain is unable to perform his duties if elected president. Secondly, Palin’s strong religious convictions are deemed to be inconsistent with her teachings, given the reports that her 17 year-old, unmarried-daughter is five month’s pregnant. Media sources reveal that the McCain camp knew of Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy before choosing her as the veep candidate. If the strategy was a calculated one, it is consistent with the camp’s attempt to create an “us” v. “them” political environment, whereby Palin and her supporters take on the label of “us” and Obama and his supporters are relegated to a “them” status. Translation: “us-Americans” vs. “them/others.”
As stated in a previous blog, University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, in her research on American National Identity (based on a national random survey), finds that mainly white Americans identify a typical American-citizen as being white and protestant. In making sense of her empirical findings, she uses the story of the slow response to Katrina victims in New Orleans. In other words, the overwhelming majority of those stranded in New Orleans simply did not look like Americans, based on who Americans say are Americans. Rather, they were deemed to be “refugees” in their own country. Additionally, in that same blog, I summarize Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention as an attempt to convince America that she too is an American. She was coerced into making such an appeal to the American public, after she was heavily criticized for stating that "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." Similarly, Obama’s authenticity as an American has been questioned, primarily due to make-believe stories, namely by conservative networks (e.g., Fox News), that he is not a Christian, rather that Barack Hussein Obama is indeed a Muslim (the use of his middle name served as an attempt to trigger negative attitudes toward Saddam Hussein).
Similar to the strategy to question Barack and Michelle Obama’s patriotism/American Identity, the Republican’s strategy (as it relates to their choice of Palin) may in fact be an attempt to create a racial divide by hoping that the anticipated liberal-media’s attack on Palin’s daughter will result in a closing of the ranks by white Americans. Despite the fact that Obama has vehemently denied any mentioning of this issue, and relegating it to a personal issue, there is no doubt that he will become a victim by association (with other liberals). Recall the case of the Emmett Till murder in Mississippi back in 1955. Despite the fact that the individuals, who were accused (and later confessed) of the murder, were poor/working-class whites, they were still white and thus, other middle-class and aristocratic whites were in support of their innocence, simply because of their race. Similarly, the Republicans hope is that a number of whites will see the liberal media as supporting an African-American candidate, while at the same time attacking a poor white mother (one of their own), whose child is considered to have made a simple teenage- mistake. In short, the strategy is to mobilize white support by casting/framing this story as an “us” v. “them,” scenario.
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