Another interesting article on Slate today: Life without Polling. They do a nice "thought experiment" on what would happen, theoretically if we didn't have poll data given out at all during the election. One interesting point in the article:
In real life, pre-election polls seem to affect voter turnout in two ways. An apparent rout might make the outcome of an election seem like a foregone conclusion, leading voters to stay home. But polls showing a tight race tend to excite voters, and make them more likely to participate. We expect these effects to show up most acutely among young voters with a modest interest in politics—the kind who are interested enough to see the polls, but not fanatical about supporting their candidate
It seems that just like ads and propoganda are intended to cause excitment and sway voters a certain way, the polls do the same thing. They use the polls to their advantage to create a stir. As the article also says, the polls may cause some to jump on the bandwagon and go with the person who is clearly leading, or for a close race it brings more interest to get voters out that normally might not go to vote!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Holocaust 2?
I came across this incredibly scary but newsworthy article on Slate today. I can't believe this actually happened, but the Republican party in Penn. actually sent out a letter to the Jewish community implying that if Obama is elected, we might be seeing Holocaust 2. It then goes on to list a bunch of lies about Obama, mainly the whole Ayers terrorist connection and the church scandal issue. You can read the article and a copy of the letter here! I can't believe how much hate still exists in our world today and something like a Presidential election can bring out all that viciousness.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Long road to the polls
Here we go again...
Some people, namely the poor, minorities, students and elderly may find difficulties voting this election. The Nation wrote a good article about this and included a pretty neat cartoon to go along with it. It is outrageous and sad that voting, an issue we fought long and hard for in this country and that sets us apart from many others, is being skewed and tainted. We saw this in the 2000 and 2004 elections, especially in Florida. Many voters get turned away because the lines are too long, some don't have a license and other laws make it harder for lower class people to vote.
"Voter ID laws passed by GOP-majority legislatures in Georgia, Indiana and elsewhere serve as thinly veiled mechanisms for suppressing opposition voters, because those without driver's licenses or other forms of government-issued identity cards are more likely to be Democrats."
Even worse is that some of these people will simply walk away defeated, not even willing to fight for their right to vote!
"Some Republican-run states, most notably Florida, have introduced absurdly strict standards for the admission of new voters to the rolls, making it likely that thousands, if not tens of thousands, of them will have to go to extraordinary lengths on election day to prove that they have the right to cast a ballot. History suggests many of these new voters will either give up when challenged or fail to show up at all. "
I sincerely hope that we don't see any of this voter fraud again this year, and if for some reason we do, I hope the American people stand up and gather together to demand their rights.
Some people, namely the poor, minorities, students and elderly may find difficulties voting this election. The Nation wrote a good article about this and included a pretty neat cartoon to go along with it. It is outrageous and sad that voting, an issue we fought long and hard for in this country and that sets us apart from many others, is being skewed and tainted. We saw this in the 2000 and 2004 elections, especially in Florida. Many voters get turned away because the lines are too long, some don't have a license and other laws make it harder for lower class people to vote.
"Voter ID laws passed by GOP-majority legislatures in Georgia, Indiana and elsewhere serve as thinly veiled mechanisms for suppressing opposition voters, because those without driver's licenses or other forms of government-issued identity cards are more likely to be Democrats."
Even worse is that some of these people will simply walk away defeated, not even willing to fight for their right to vote!
"Some Republican-run states, most notably Florida, have introduced absurdly strict standards for the admission of new voters to the rolls, making it likely that thousands, if not tens of thousands, of them will have to go to extraordinary lengths on election day to prove that they have the right to cast a ballot. History suggests many of these new voters will either give up when challenged or fail to show up at all. "
I sincerely hope that we don't see any of this voter fraud again this year, and if for some reason we do, I hope the American people stand up and gather together to demand their rights.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Real McCain...in case you didn't already know :-)
Here's a video one of my friends sent to me. You can clearly tell it's been cut in several spots as it's spliced together, but it's a good video to show how candidates, namely McCain, say one thing when it's conveniant and say another when the "heat" is on. I don't know how they think they can lie and get away with it--everything is documented now adays, whether it's not in writing, we have the media( tv, the internet, You Tube) and if they said it, we'll find it! It is sad that a candidate can't simply state what they believe in...that they have to change their beliefs based on what people want to hear, or what will help them win the election. But isn't that much of what this world is anyways? Doing anything you have to do to get ahead...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
more ads!
This ad that Mondale put on in 1984 when he was running against Reagon definitly plays upon the fear factor! Note the low, strong drum beat that plays in the background--it sounds like one of those mystery movies when something bad is about to happen: doom! I also took a peek at the commentary to the side of the video which discussed some of what was happening in 1984 (a year before I was born :-) ! Interestingly enough, it turns out Mondale had picked a woman VP:
"The unenviable task of running against Reagan fell to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale made two bold choices in his campaign, both of which backfired. First, he selected a woman, New York Representative Geraldine Ferraro, as his running mate. Media scrutiny of her husband’s finances put Ferraro on the defensive."
Well, doesn't that sound oddly familiar? Looks like picking a woman for a VP is tricky business...I guess before you do that you need to make sure she knows what she's talking about (ahem..Palin) and hopefully has a clean record behind her and her spouse (Palin's husband has been scrutinized as well in this campaign...and for much of it Palin has been on the defense of herself!)
"A smile that can prove only one thing: honesty"--so says one woman who was interviewed about why they would vote for Eisenhower. (well, we all know how deceiving those grins can be...)
Given the time period of this ad, it was incredibly surprising that a whole video was devoted to what women thought about Eisenhower! Although women did have a lot more rights in this time, it was interesting to see how much power they seemed to give to the election, since the narrator said : "let's not forget, it was women who voted in Eisenhower in the last election!" One thing to note: towards the end of the video they briefly discuss how vital a role women play in raising a family--notice how the woman is helping the children with their homework while the husband sits reading his newspaper!! Very 50's!
I think Eisenhower was definitly trying to make the point though that women play an important role in our society which probably gave him many bonus points!
These ads are also much longer than the ones we have today, which run at most a minute. They also seem to speak directly to the people about the issues, rather than stating what their opponent will/won't do!
"The unenviable task of running against Reagan fell to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale made two bold choices in his campaign, both of which backfired. First, he selected a woman, New York Representative Geraldine Ferraro, as his running mate. Media scrutiny of her husband’s finances put Ferraro on the defensive."
Well, doesn't that sound oddly familiar? Looks like picking a woman for a VP is tricky business...I guess before you do that you need to make sure she knows what she's talking about (ahem..Palin) and hopefully has a clean record behind her and her spouse (Palin's husband has been scrutinized as well in this campaign...and for much of it Palin has been on the defense of herself!)
"A smile that can prove only one thing: honesty"--so says one woman who was interviewed about why they would vote for Eisenhower. (well, we all know how deceiving those grins can be...)
Given the time period of this ad, it was incredibly surprising that a whole video was devoted to what women thought about Eisenhower! Although women did have a lot more rights in this time, it was interesting to see how much power they seemed to give to the election, since the narrator said : "let's not forget, it was women who voted in Eisenhower in the last election!" One thing to note: towards the end of the video they briefly discuss how vital a role women play in raising a family--notice how the woman is helping the children with their homework while the husband sits reading his newspaper!! Very 50's!
I think Eisenhower was definitly trying to make the point though that women play an important role in our society which probably gave him many bonus points!
These ads are also much longer than the ones we have today, which run at most a minute. They also seem to speak directly to the people about the issues, rather than stating what their opponent will/won't do!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
advertising
The advertisement for "Ike" is fun: it's a cartoon, it has a catchy jingle and it's appealing. Also interesting is that many of the ads from the 60's are almost 5 minutes long--nowadays we can't even sit through a minute long commercial!
There are some similarities: This one for McGovern shows him out and responding to the people, just like this ad for Obama gives a "homey" feeling..we see his family, when he was a child, and we see him now out in the community. However, the ads that we see today are much more aggressive and focused on attacking the other candidate. In old advertising it was more focused on the candidate themselves and waht they wanted to do, speaking directly to the people as Kennedy does in this ad. Sure, we have much more interesting graphics today and technology fused into the advertisements, but what matters more is the values and beliefs of the candidate and what they are going to do.
I was surprised by Jackie Kennedy speaking Spanish in this ad! I'm not sure I've heard any ads in these times that speak to other cultures...I think this was a brave and honorable statement that the Kennedy's made with this ad: not just targeting the "white" race which would more than likely have their vote, but to the people that make up this country.
There are some similarities: This one for McGovern shows him out and responding to the people, just like this ad for Obama gives a "homey" feeling..we see his family, when he was a child, and we see him now out in the community. However, the ads that we see today are much more aggressive and focused on attacking the other candidate. In old advertising it was more focused on the candidate themselves and waht they wanted to do, speaking directly to the people as Kennedy does in this ad. Sure, we have much more interesting graphics today and technology fused into the advertisements, but what matters more is the values and beliefs of the candidate and what they are going to do.
I was surprised by Jackie Kennedy speaking Spanish in this ad! I'm not sure I've heard any ads in these times that speak to other cultures...I think this was a brave and honorable statement that the Kennedy's made with this ad: not just targeting the "white" race which would more than likely have their vote, but to the people that make up this country.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Scary...
Here's a very scary video one of my friends sent to me...I fail to comprehend how close-minded and bluntly racist some people still are in this country. Check out the eccentric blond woman who bombards the camera man!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Humor/Satire
Here's a funny one to start off with from MadTV--making fun of the campaign ads that have littered much of TV!
Campaign as Education
While reading the news today on NPR I came across this really neat radio clip from the program All Things Considered. The broadcast is called: When TV Changed Politics: Adlai Stevenson vs. Dwight Eisenhower back in 1952. I think this ties in perfectly to the topics of our class and is particularly interesting to hear some of media advertising back in the 50's as compared to now. Listen for the "Ike jingle" and other little songs that the campaigns used. Stevenson also says he believed that campaigns were meant to be education for the people and the candidates themselves. He said what he meant and gave the people the truth, bluntly ("I don't like taxes...") and said he wasn't going to make promises, but was going to try his best.
I feel especially this campaign now is based on false promises and both candidates, moreso McCain, avoided major issues, dancing around them.
I think that as TV really started to become more popular, so did campaign ads and propaganda, and perhaps this is what really began to take away from the "meat" of the campaigns and the importance of hearing the candidates beliefs and plans for the country, not just their jokes and arguments about the other candidate. Although media and TV itself are great resources, I think some things need to be re-evaluated on how it is used.
I feel especially this campaign now is based on false promises and both candidates, moreso McCain, avoided major issues, dancing around them.
I think that as TV really started to become more popular, so did campaign ads and propaganda, and perhaps this is what really began to take away from the "meat" of the campaigns and the importance of hearing the candidates beliefs and plans for the country, not just their jokes and arguments about the other candidate. Although media and TV itself are great resources, I think some things need to be re-evaluated on how it is used.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Final Debate
NPR doesn't believe that this debate will give McCain any of the boost he is looking for. I'm sure he will try his usual nasty comments aimed at Obama, but by now the American people aren't buying his lies and can quite frankly see right through him and Palin. Unless something drastic happens, I don't see that this debate will bring about any major turnaround in polls (but, surprises do happen). At this point, I believe people have a good idea about who they are voting for and why...and then there are those who will vote for the party they have always voted for "just because" it's what they've always done. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
We'll see.
We'll see.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Since I am not feeling well and couldn't come to class tonight, I thought I'd at least write a quick post about gender (I think thats what we would have discussed tonight...)
I came across this funny, but interesting article in The Nation today. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash writes an article on why she should be the VP candidate rather than Palin. The article is definitly sarcastic at times, but well written. I believe that many women are feeling embarrased by Palin's actions since she was elected VP. Cash makes a "resume" of reasons why she'd make a better candidate. Her take on "church and state", the war in iraq, and maverick personality are particulary of interest. Part of her argument is that she is as qualified, if not more, to be VP than Palin is. She has acted very unprofessional during much of the campaign, especially winking at the audience like she is at a modeling show. I would love to see a woman in the white house as much as the next person, but to see Palin basically make a mockery of the whole thing is unacceptable.
I think that original Tina Fey/Clinton SNL clip said a lot too: the woman acting as Clinton said in regards to sexism: "A point I'm quite frankly surprised people suddenly care about." So people only want to argue about sexism when it's about someone attractive. No one really gave a dang about what was said against Hillary.
More on this later...
I came across this funny, but interesting article in The Nation today. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash writes an article on why she should be the VP candidate rather than Palin. The article is definitly sarcastic at times, but well written. I believe that many women are feeling embarrased by Palin's actions since she was elected VP. Cash makes a "resume" of reasons why she'd make a better candidate. Her take on "church and state", the war in iraq, and maverick personality are particulary of interest. Part of her argument is that she is as qualified, if not more, to be VP than Palin is. She has acted very unprofessional during much of the campaign, especially winking at the audience like she is at a modeling show. I would love to see a woman in the white house as much as the next person, but to see Palin basically make a mockery of the whole thing is unacceptable.
I think that original Tina Fey/Clinton SNL clip said a lot too: the woman acting as Clinton said in regards to sexism: "A point I'm quite frankly surprised people suddenly care about." So people only want to argue about sexism when it's about someone attractive. No one really gave a dang about what was said against Hillary.
More on this later...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I came across this posting in the Washington Post today and I think it is a good one. The Washington Post thus far has mostly been pro-Obama, and still is for the most part. However, this article takes a look at how the campaign has now turned into more of a war of the words, both McCain and now Obama are focusing more on blaming their opponent and smearing the others name, rather than focusing on the real issues here. I think Obama has many, many good ideas for our country and I think he is getting lost in McCains tactics here these past couple of weeks. Instead of solely focusing on bad-mouthing McCain, he needs to tell us what he is going to do to bring this change he talks about. Now is when we need to hear it the most, especially with the state of the nation and so little time before elections. He needs to show us what we loved about him before all this bogus fighting between the parties started. If not, we still face the scary fact of McCain/Palin gaining back speed.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
which one?? "That one!"
The Huffingtonpost and The Nation had headlines today about McCains reference to Obama as "that one." As if his campaign could not get any lower...
At this point, it seems that anything McCain says slightly off-color, the media is all over it. Probably because of how shady and unprofessional most their campaign has been thus far. They can't accept the fact that they are losing popularity.
At this point, it seems that anything McCain says slightly off-color, the media is all over it. Probably because of how shady and unprofessional most their campaign has been thus far. They can't accept the fact that they are losing popularity.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Olberman Speaks
Keith Olberman did a special comment last night about Palin's comments on Obama being associated with terrorists. I know many people don't consider Countdown with Keith Olberman to be "real" news, but I still tune in. I believe Olberman says on national television what many, many Americans want to say themselves on TV but obviously can't. I think he also speaks for those who see through Palin's smoke-screen. He also says Palin is sleazy, especially after these comments about Obama being friends with someone from his childhood that might be associated with terrorist groups. It is sleazy, and I find nothing wrong with him saying this on his program. Olberman is right when he says that Palin has no idea what the America people are worried about right now, and neither does McCain. They are too wrapped up in trying to smear Obama that they aren't even addressing the issues anymore.
Quite frankly, I am profoundly confused as to why the McCain ticket is still where it's at in the polls. Huffington Post displays headlines that have Obama leading in the polls, and a lead in Ohio which is an important swing state. The media is not painting the McCain ticket in a postive light, but there are some who are still hard set on voting Republican, simply because they always have.
Quite frankly, I am profoundly confused as to why the McCain ticket is still where it's at in the polls. Huffington Post displays headlines that have Obama leading in the polls, and a lead in Ohio which is an important swing state. The media is not painting the McCain ticket in a postive light, but there are some who are still hard set on voting Republican, simply because they always have.
round 2!
The New York Times warns us that McCain might try to further taint Obama's image at tonights debate due to their fall in the polls. Trying to link him to terrorism now seems to be their main goal to get the attention off their failing campaign and unpopular policies. According to this article, McCain will try to defer from the issues once again!
Friday, October 3, 2008
one last thing
Personally, I think this debate was a lot more interesting and "debate" like than last weeks Presidential debate. At least Palin and Biden looked at each other and acknolwedged the other. Very interesting indeed...
The Debate
Since I wasn't able to watch the debate las tnight, I jumped on NYTimes to watch it, which was helpful since they had the transcript on the side. Here is the link if you want to watch it. I think that although Palin talked better and more confidently than she has in the past interviews, she didn't really answer any of the questoins directly, she kind of went off of what she knew to fill in the blanks in some cases. I was very happy to see Biden in this debate, since like before I said I haven't seen or heard a lot about him because of Palin. I believe he is a fantastic speaker, very confident and you can tell from the answers he gave that he has the EXPERIENCE and knowledge needed to help our country. When you watch the debate and read the transcript, you can easily compare the answers that Palin gave versus Biden. I thought, in fact, Palin was very unprofessional at times: with answers refering to "Joe Six Pack" and other "hockey moms." Ummm...you're not at a PTA meeting Palin. She also completely dodged one question and said: "I might not be answering the question you want me to Gwen, or you Biden, but I'd like to tell you about myself as mayor and governor of Alaska." Especially important is the fact that Palin, when asked to respond to an "attack" Biden made on McCain, Palin said: "no, it's not true, but let me go back to energy, and my experience with that." Hmmm...avoidance? She was trying to sell herself to us over again since she blew it so far. I hope people won't be blinded once again by her glazed over answers.
Most news sources I read said the same thing: Palin didn't crash and burn, but she also didn't give as convincing a debate as Biden did. Such says this article in The Nation. And Washington Post.
Lastly, I think Palin's beliefs on drilling and renewable energy, and climate change, need to be checked and brought to attention by the media which I didn't see a lot of in the articles I read. This is a huge problem that faces our world, not just the nation, and I think she is seriously misled about it.
Most news sources I read said the same thing: Palin didn't crash and burn, but she also didn't give as convincing a debate as Biden did. Such says this article in The Nation. And Washington Post.
Lastly, I think Palin's beliefs on drilling and renewable energy, and climate change, need to be checked and brought to attention by the media which I didn't see a lot of in the articles I read. This is a huge problem that faces our world, not just the nation, and I think she is seriously misled about it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Gearing up
As the VP candidates gear up for tonights debate, the media does it's job as well to keep us well informed about Palin. It's no surprise now that American people are finding out what she is really like and polls are dropping for the Republican party. This article once again drills the fact into our minds that McCain is 72 and IF, for some reason, he was elected and should happen to conk out, Palin would be on deck. The American people aren't buying that she would be ready for that, and the media isn't either.
My fear is that somehow they will have prepped Palin enough for tonight so that she come across as confident and knowing what she's talking about, and the American people are going to fall for this scam again!! Just because they may have crammed her with info, it doesn't mean she will retain it, or have the necesary experience to use it. We'll see what tonight brings...
My fear is that somehow they will have prepped Palin enough for tonight so that she come across as confident and knowing what she's talking about, and the American people are going to fall for this scam again!! Just because they may have crammed her with info, it doesn't mean she will retain it, or have the necesary experience to use it. We'll see what tonight brings...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
One more thought...
After reading Kasey's blog post from Oct. 1, I had another thought. I'm wondering if the media is allowed to basically have a field day with McCain and Palin (moreso Palin) because the climate is right for it. If McCain and Palin were leading in the polls (I don't know how...but theoretically) would the press still be allowed to grill Palin like they have been doing? Would they be allowed to be saying, or doing what they are doing? I feel like this was the same with Bush. At first, after 9/11 and all people generally liked the guy, and now I've even seen some label him as the "worst President in history."
Shouldn't we be allowed to say what we feel even if the climate isn't right for it?
Shouldn't we be allowed to say what we feel even if the climate isn't right for it?
Preparing Palin
I feel like there should be a documentary out about preparing a person in a couple weeks with the knowledge that VP, or President should know! The Huffingtonpost had a funny headline today. It does seem though that McCain is spending much of his time defending Palin's mishaps, and finding ways to make sure it doesn't happen again. I wonder if they realized that picking her would backfire this badly? I believe they felt that during all the hype they could diguise the fact that she didn't have experience and prep her...but it caught up to them. The media caught up to them, or should I say catched on? America is well informed that this debate could prove a lot about whether McCain and Palin ticket will even have a chance!
This article in Washington Post highlights the time before the VP debate, also citing that the debate isn't about the gender issue, and I hope the Republicans won't come off of the debate aruging this point again. Binder doesn't need to lower his standards for Palin, just because she is a woman. If she was picked for VP then she must be a strong, powerful leader and be able to hold her own. Right??
This article in Washington Post highlights the time before the VP debate, also citing that the debate isn't about the gender issue, and I hope the Republicans won't come off of the debate aruging this point again. Binder doesn't need to lower his standards for Palin, just because she is a woman. If she was picked for VP then she must be a strong, powerful leader and be able to hold her own. Right??
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