Someone didn't watch the Democratic Conventions and debates... that was the biggest fix ever... and I actually like(d) Obama in contrast to Hilary... as if the week long celebration all across the NBC networks weren't enough... but I'll side with IA97 again... anyone who says the media didn't play a MAJOR factor in the past election is wearing serious blinders my friend
Every election cycle I hear they are swinging the election, yet it's been shown that more NEGATIVE press came out on Obama rather than Hillary or McCain.
McCain was a Press celeb. They LOVED him. McCain was the poster child for whom the press wanted. Hell, he was even leading...until the economy took a shit and people asked him "What are you going to do?" His responses were clearly inadequate.
Then his campaign was run like a joke...an utter joke.
When you have guys like Joe the Plumber campaigning for you...You have a major problem.
When you pick Palin over Romney/Giuliani/etc...You have a major problem.
When they economy is taking a huge slide and you say it's fundamentally sound...You have a major problem.
When your policy edict to a long term energy solution and independence from the Middle East is "Drill baby, drill."...You have a major problem.
When your response to people's concerns (including MANY Evangelical Christians) about global warming is to make a joke about Al Gore...You have a major problem.
When people at your rallies response to US Sponsored increasing Terrorist recruiting is to wear a shirt saying "I'd rather be waterboarding."...You have a major problem. [McCain was always against torture by the way]
When your party's response to FIXING illegal immigration is "Sen them all home...You have a major problem.
When your party automatically calls hardvard/Yale grads "elitist" if they disagree with you...You have a major problem.
When your response to bringing home the troops in Iraq is that we could be there 100 years and that "would be fine with me"...You have a major problem.
When your running mates talks about being against a well-known Pork-Barrel project, BUT TAKES THE MONEY ANYWAY...You have a major problem.
These were public issues that bothered centrists and the educated. Bush won college educated voters by 4 points...McCain lost them by 6. PhDs and people making over $200,000/year? Obama by doube-digits. The GOP over the past 10 years has mocked intellectuals, eschewed science, and has spent more time villifying enemies and making up threats, rather than offering vision and direction.
This is in no way saying that Obama's campaign did not have issues. Clearly they did...every campaign does. But to blame the media for convincing people that the last 8 years went badly AND that another 4 years might not be the best thing...well, that's not exactly the media's fault.
Why did Reagan win? A compelling vision and a promise of a better tomorrow.
Why did Clinton win? A compelling vision and a promise of a better tomorrow.
Why did Obama win? A compelling vision and a promise of a better tomorrow.
Offer a vision that is not "anti" but "pro" and you are onto something. Bush tried to offer that in 2000 and people were tired of Clinton, so they moved to Bush...he was no Reagan/Clinton/Obama...but he still offered something:
- Lower spending
- Less government
- No more Nation Building
- Tighten up the border
- Protect personal freedoms
- Revamp Social Security
- Lower Healthcare costs
People bought that hook line and sinker.
