Does Obama Still Have a Chance?
After seven long weeks, today Sen. Hillary Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary. Many say this was a test for Sen. Obama to see if he had what it took to win in a big state like Pennsylvania. Obama did well with African-Americans and youth voters, but where he didnt do well was with the elderly and blue collar voters. Obama's loss left many in question of his electability. Obama claims that he lost elderly votes because former President Bill Clinton was faithful to that specific audience and the issues that mattered the most to them, so they are sticking to what they know by voting for Hillary.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/23/primary.analysis/index.html
Obama's campaign explains that Hillary has had an advantage coming into this race since day one because of her husband and it is much easier for people to stick to what they know and what they're comfortable with. Because Sen. Obama is a first time national candidate, many people are unfamiliar with him, therefore more willing to vote for Hillary because of her husband.
Obama's campaign believes that the media will have a positive influence on Obama's chances of winning future states. Due to the fact that this race was covered so carefully by all media, people from all over have been given a chance to know Obama's story, and where he stands politically and morally. The Pennsylvania primary media coverage has given those people unfamiliar with Obama a chance to get to know him and his idea of change and ability to bring the country together. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/23/primary.analysis/index.html#cnnSTCVideo) In class we have been taking about the media-politics relationship and media influence. I think this positive influence Obama's campaign talks about is a good example of the Hypodermic Effect where the information covered and distributed by the media influences the public.
The next big state primary coming up is Indiana. I think Indiana is going to be considerably tuff for both Clinton and Obama because majority of Indiana has voted for a Republican Government for about the last forty or fifty years. However, I think Obama's chances of winning may be slightly better than Hillary's considering Indiana is a neighboring state of Illinois. Obama has a better chance of getting cities that are close to Illinois like Gary. Also, if what Obama's campaign said about recent media having a positive influence on Obama's image, then his chances should be even better, but we will see in May.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/23/primary.analysis/index.html
Obama's campaign explains that Hillary has had an advantage coming into this race since day one because of her husband and it is much easier for people to stick to what they know and what they're comfortable with. Because Sen. Obama is a first time national candidate, many people are unfamiliar with him, therefore more willing to vote for Hillary because of her husband.
Obama's campaign believes that the media will have a positive influence on Obama's chances of winning future states. Due to the fact that this race was covered so carefully by all media, people from all over have been given a chance to know Obama's story, and where he stands politically and morally. The Pennsylvania primary media coverage has given those people unfamiliar with Obama a chance to get to know him and his idea of change and ability to bring the country together. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/23/primary.analysis/index.html#cnnSTCVideo) In class we have been taking about the media-politics relationship and media influence. I think this positive influence Obama's campaign talks about is a good example of the Hypodermic Effect where the information covered and distributed by the media influences the public.
The next big state primary coming up is Indiana. I think Indiana is going to be considerably tuff for both Clinton and Obama because majority of Indiana has voted for a Republican Government for about the last forty or fifty years. However, I think Obama's chances of winning may be slightly better than Hillary's considering Indiana is a neighboring state of Illinois. Obama has a better chance of getting cities that are close to Illinois like Gary. Also, if what Obama's campaign said about recent media having a positive influence on Obama's image, then his chances should be even better, but we will see in May.
posted by Kerri | 7:02 PM
7 Comments:
It is interesting to hear that people are sticking with Hillary because of her husband. But I wonder, how fair is this to Hillary? If Bill fans vote for Hillary they are going to expect her to be just like him. But if people didn't like her husband in office, will this make her lose the nomination? Though Bill probably has a big role in her campaign I wonder how similar they would be. I don't know a lot about Bill's presidency because I was so young, but I am curious to see how opinions of Bill will affect Hillary. To me it doesn't seem fair because they are two different people.
Even though it does not seem fair, I think that the majority of people that vote for Hillary are really voting for Bill. I too was young when Bill was prez, but the country certainly seemed to be in a lot better shape than it is currently. I think a lot of people remember that and hope that by voting for Hillary, they can get Bill back in office. Whether this will be an accurate assumption is hard to say. Meanwhile, the Obama campaign better follow through with their media-influence technique. Because it seems that more people know about Hillary than they do Obama at the moment.
Kerri, I was a little confused by your argument. I think I understand the thesis (the point you were trying to make) but it was not worded clearly. Personally, I agree that Hilary may be favored because of the public's familiarity with her husband and that people like to stick with what they know, but I am wondering if you have any solid evidence in support of this? The only thing that makes me waver from this argument is that Obama is leading nationally in terms of delegates and the popular vote. So if he is leading, why are we worried about him still having a chance?
Hillary's skills and knowledge are almost irrelevant to some supporters of her husband Bill. Although I may not agree with people voting for Hillary because they were supporters for Bill, every vote counts and this could be a determining factor in the nomination. If Hillary wins the nomination, it will be interesting to see where Bill's influence comes in on the actual election in November.
I'm a fan of Hillary Clinton. I'm a fan of Bill Clinton. But I'm not a fan of Hillary because of Bill. Honestly, I respect Hillary more than Bill, and find her less slick and sweet-talking. She knows her stuff, and will make the country better. While i'm sure that some people are supporting Hillary because of her husband, I think the opposite is even more true- More people NOT supporting Hillary because of Bill due to the whole "morals" thing, even though Hillary has done the Christian thing- not get divorced and forgiven Bill for what he's done.
I'm supporting Hillary because I remember growing up the life I had before the Bush administration and after. And life during the Clinton years were better for us than they have been these last eight years. I think, of her own volition, she can do what Bill did, and even more, WITHOUT HIS HELP!!
Sure, were the Bill Clinton years good? Yes. But I believe the Hillary Clinton years will be better
Even though I at times like Obama much more than Hillary, I have to agree with Mary. The Clinton years, as far as I remember (aside from the sex scandals) were good years, and I can definitely see where the Hillary years coudl be better. At the discussion held at late night dessert, with Chelsea Clinton spekaing as a surrogate for her mother, she spoke about how she believed thta her mother would be a better president than her father because she had so much more experience with the white house than Bill did because she served as First lady.
"does obama still have a chance?"
i think the natural answer to this question is...Yes We Can! (even if doesn't make complete sense)
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