Strategies in a Presidential Campaign

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the role of issues, themes and strategies in presidential campaigns. It specificlly discusses the nomination phase of the 2008 presidential campaign in the United States. The paper examines the issues that were addressed by the different candidates and how they presented the themes to the American public in a way to increase their support.

From the Paper:

"Clearly, presidential primary campaigns depend on a host of factors, all of which come together to create specific images of the respective candidates. Themes are presented that serve to rally voters and forge in their minds a living image of the candidate as embodiment of those ideals. These same concepts and symbolic representations are used to debunk the arguments of rivals and to further gather and entrench support. Supporters respond to buzzwords and to particular notions of what their favored candidate is like, and what he or she will do in office. Money is raised based upon the strength of the support that is generated, and on the kinds of supporters a candidate can gather to her or his banner. Campaign planners devise the best strategies, employing staged rallies, commercial advertisements, and televised debates as the best means to showcase their candidate, or as this things to be avoided. The various tools in the campaigner's arsenal are picked up by the media at large, and either used to set off an explosion of support, or turned back on the candidate like so many incendiary devices, for that is what a campaign is all about - creating a firestorm for the "right" candidate."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Colmes, Alan and Hannity, Sean. "Discussion of the Media's Treatment of Sen. Hillary Clinton." Hannity & Colmes, 27 February 2008.
• Espo, David. "Clinton, Obama Trade Jabs on Health Care." Associated Press, 28 February 2008.
• Granes, Earl G. "Barack Obama for president." Black Enterprise, 1 January 2008.
• Herszenhorn, David. "Democrats emphasize huge costs of Iraq war Surge brings security, but at what price?" International Herald Tribune, 28 February 2008.
• Issenberg, Sasha. "Once derided as an idealist, McCain hands label to Obama; Paints Democrat as an immature version of himself." Boston Globe, 15 February 2008.

More papers on Strategies in a Presidential Campaign:

• Essay # 2860 : "Media strategy for the 2004 Presidential Election"
• Essay # 59633 : "The 2004 Republican National Presidential Convention"
• Comparison Essay # 120824 : "Strategies of Bush and Kerry"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: