2008 Convention Polls

Article Review # 115771

Political Science > Election and Campaigns

This paper discusses Gary Langer's ideas in his article "Dead Heat: John McCain, Barack Obama Even in Post-Convention Poll."

900 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Gary Langer's theory that John McCain was able to gain on Obama after the conventions because he distanced himself from George W. Bush. The paper also discusses Langer's note of the positive shift in the polls after McCain selected Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, a move that attracted white women voters.

From the Paper:

"According to post coverage pools and the opinion of Langers, there were some subtle post convention poll bounces and one massive and major one. The bounce among the candidates was not major, but it was significant. The bounce consisted of what Langers characterizes as McCain taking the "better boost" from Presidential candidates parties national conventions. This means that voters polled saw McCain in a different and far better light that brought him more favorably into comparisons with Obama, as far as an efficient alternative of the nations' major problems were concerned."

Sample of Sources Used:

Aarons-Mele, Moraa. "The Palin Trap." September 9, 2008: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/morra-aaronsmele/the-palin-trap-meta-symbo_b_125159.html
Geraldine Anne Ferraro. 2008: http://www.answers.com/topic/geraldine-ferraro
Langer, Gary. Dead Heat: John McCain, Barack Obama Even in Post-Convention Poll: White Women Shift to McCain as Republican Erodes Obama Lead on Change, Enthusiasm. Sept. 8, 2008: http://abcnews.go.com/story?id=5751238
Post Convention Contest is even: White Women Shift to McCain. ABC News: Washington Post Poll After the Convention. Monday Sept 8, 2008:http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1070a1AftertheConventions.pdf