The Obama-McCain Political Campaign

Paper Summary:

This paper compares the election campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain, noting that they were the most strategically planned and rhetorically embellished campaigns in the history of the US. The paper explains that, via the media, the public allows the candidates to construct themselves, deconstruct their opponents, and rebuild broken images. The paper then examines and compares both candidates' campaign efforts in this regard and maintains that while Obama was able to portray himself effectively to enhance his own image, McCain focused more so on breaking down his opponent's image, ultimately hurting his own in the process. The paper also contrasts the two candidates' post-election speeches.

From the Paper:

"As the campaign continued to progress, Americans watched all debates, including the Vice Presidential, and continued to form opinions on the candidates. We watched as John McCain smiled forcefully at the camera, judging his stiff movements as an indicator of his character. We watched as Obama responded to accusations of being tied with anarchist William Ayers, the racist Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and ACORN, accused of voting fraud. Commentators went up in arms when Joe Biden suggested that Obama would be "tested early in the campaign," and all of America wondered who "Joe the Plumber" was."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Barack Obama Democratic Convention Speech." Huffington Post. 28 Aug. 2008. 20 Nov. 2008 <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/28/barack-obama-democratic- c_n_122224.html>.
• "Colin Powell Endorses Obama." CNN. 20 Oct. 2008. 24 Oct. 2008 <http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/colin.powell/index.html>.
• Donaldson, Gary A. The First Modern Campaign: Kennedy, Nixon, and the Election of 1960. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc, 2007.
• Hollihan, Thomas A. Uncivil Wars: Political Campaigns in a Media Age. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009.
• "John McCain's Concession Speech." Politico. 5 Nov. 2008. 10 Nov. 2008 <http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15303.html>.

More papers on The Obama-McCain Political Campaign:

• Analytical Essay # 145035 : "Race and the 2008 Election"
• Persuasive Essay # 144894 : "Barak Obama and John McCain on Healthcare"
• Analytical Essay # 128178 : "Elderly Voting Trends and the Current Election"

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