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?
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5 comments:
Sample Posting:I believe Sarah Palin is a viable threat to the democrats
i believe that obama can still make a comeback. he has already secured the reputation of a devout family man.
This is not an open position for Vice President of a Sorority this for the United States people...Barack Obama still has a clear advantage over the the McCain campaign. There is still an ample amount of time for the democratic party to regained its popular lead. Sarah Palin just recently a little over two weeks was introduced and familiarized with the American people; just like with anything else fresh on the market there is always a "hype". Once her fire shimmers the American people will see her expericene and education (combined) does not match the credentials of the past elected vice presidents of the Republican party in the new century. Her highest degree is a bachelors in Mass Communications? and she been governor of Alaska for a one and half? A mother of five, youngest five months old and a soon to be grandmother? While we are fighting off terrorist who's going to breastfeed? Where is the education? the expericence? And to be elected the second most important job in America her character will not fit the script because of her past experiences, upbringing, and family life. The American people will realized that they do not want a Beauty Queen for Vice President and maybe President once McCain break a leg.
With the issue about the two nominations of pvice president nominees configures to show that Obama has a white man as his candidate and McCain has a white woman as his candidiate. Palin poses a question that may be harmful to democrats(some) and helpful to republicans. That goes to show if bothe presedential candidiates and both evice president candidiates stand by each other. With Palin it goes to show that even though she is a woman and that Obama has a male as his vice president pute's McCain on a little relief of saying that yeah Obama is in the lead but with Palin being McCain's running mate can that really help him in his nomination.
According to the national polls, McCain has cut into Obama's seven-point lead, however, on the national scale Obama is still ahead by the Electoral College. I do contend that if Obama does not win the election, it will be because he did not unify the Democratic Party by selecting Clinton as his Vice-Presidential Nominee. Most of the number before Obama announced Biden as his running mate, suggested that the party would have been energized over night if Obama had selected Clinton. This year, there had been some “unidentifiable” phenomenon that has caused the media to embrace “New Political Faces” such as Gov. Palin and Obama. I am not suggesting that the media has not been critical of Obama and Plain but I do believe that the media has not been as hard on these two candidates as previous candidates both Republican and Democrats. For example, the 2004 “Swift-Boat Veterans Campaign” and “Flip-Flop” critically damaged Sen. John Kerry, and the 2000 Republican Primary “John McCain's Scandal.” Now there is an effort by conservative news organizations such as Fox to go after Obama on some of his pass “Associations...Ayers, and Rev. Wright,” however, for the most part the media was highly critical of Sen. Clinton while they basically embraced Obama. It is to some extent, ironic that Obama is now facing the same problem with the Media's spin on Palin. Think abouty it Palin is not much different from Obama: they both have about the same experience in the Public Sector and they both have acquired this “Rock Starr” status in their political parties. The selection of Palin has most certainly changed the dynamics of the campaign and caused Obama to get on the defensive. Selection of Plain by McCain has re-energized conservatives and for the time being attracted a fairly representative number of former Clinton backers such as rural working class white, and middle aged women. I do not think that Obama's stragety to tie McCain to Bush is going to work, because anyone who knows anything about McCain knows that he is basically a moderate republican (thats why he has had problems with the conservative base). Obama on the other hand needs to talk about economic issues and tie McCain to the incumbent party. He needs to drive home the issues of the economy.
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