Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Democrat's Dilemma
Ever since Obama clinched the nomination, I haven't been very optimistic about McCain's chances in the general election. People have become disgusted with Republicans mostly thanks to the Bush administration and many Republicans have practically abandoned core conservative values. A democrat win in November seemed all but clinched - until John McCain.
The Democrats dilemma in this election is that they like John McCain! Obviously that's not what they're saying now, but, as McCain ads are pointing out, Democrats have always liked John McCain. It was the Republicans that have had problems with McCain! Democrats always saw him as a stark departure from the Bush administration and always praised him for it. Well, that's now coming back to bite them. John McCain has a ginormous archive of footage of Democrats praising him, his patriotism and his skill at working across the aisle.
Thanks to Mitt Romney, the Republicans are united and are fully in line behind McCain. The Democrats, however, have all but splintered off into Hillary Democrats and Obama Democrats. And now the Hillary Democrats are defecting to McCain! Isn't it wonderful!
McCain's chances are good and Obama has a hard road ahead of him.
While studying PR, I've had the opportunity to analyze (both in and out of class) the PR campaigns of each candidate and the two parties. Putting it lightly, the Republicans are vastly more united, competent and sophisticated at public relations (in all its forms, from message framing to overall communications strategy) than the Democrats. From Frank Luntz to Karl Rove, the Republicans understand extremely well how to craft messages that appeal to voters. The Democrats on the other hand struggle to find unity and an effective way to convey their ideas. And it doesn't help that their ideas stink. I mean, how can any person frame the practice of abortion or higher taxes in a positive light?
The Democrats have a big dilemma and I doubt their situation will improve much going into November. I'm not totally counting Obama out though, if he successfully ties McCain to the Bush administration, he'll win. But I doubt McCain will allow that to happen.
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2 comments:
The Bush administration has been degraded by the MSM and Democrats who are desperately seeking power. They have lied and put negative slants on everything that Bush has tried to accomplish. Bush has had a great many successes and I believe history in the long run will show that.
I agree with you that Republicans are more organized with their message. That is a no doubter.
I also think you are correct, to a point, that democrats liked John McCain. They liked the Maverick John McCain back in 2000 when he truly was a moderate, they even liked him in 2004 when he was considered a running mate for John Kerry. However, something has changed in John McCain. In 2000 he was sideswiped by George Bush in South Carolina by an ad that said he was an illegitimate father of a black child, when in fact his daughter is adopted from Bangladesh. As it happens, those same people he swore off, and vowed never again, he has now employed them in his campaign. At one time he was one of the most stand up guys in Washington, but over the course of the last 4 years he has compromised his integrity to the point that no democrat in their right mind could vote for him.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/columnists/wslater/stories/083108dnpolslatercol.2a8e0e0c.html
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