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A Moment About Politics

I’ve never really followed politics. I guess I started when I did a website for John Howser. The conversations we had about his opponent and other politicians made me intrigued. Then I began to follow the Kerry/Edwards campaign and even had their bumper sticker (*gasp!). I shook Edwards’ hand at a speech in Cape Girardeau, MO that I was invited to by Howser.

Then began the primary season for the 2008 Presidential Election. The first nominee I had heard of was Ron Paul and I almost began to like him, until he didn’t stop speaking in his grumpy, whiney voice all the time. Then I heard Huckabee answer a question about faith and politics at a debate. I was sold on Huckabee the moment after he finished answering. I then joined his email list and checked his website almost daily to find out more.

Well, grandpa McCain became the nominee and everyone dropped out, except Ron Paul who is off in his own little world where every problem in the US revolves around “the value of the dollar dropping” and I was not going to support McCain for many reasons.

Then I remembered that one youtube video I watched of Obama speaking at the DNC. You know, the one where he blew everyone away. I began learning more about Obama and was convinced that he’s got something special. People say that it’s not all about oratory skills, but it sure helps and oratory skills are definitely going to hurt McCain, since he lacks in that area. I heard someone say that Obama isn’t running a campaign, he’s leading a movement. They said that as if it was a bad thing. I think it’s great that he’s got a targetted message and wants… you guessed it “Change”.

I went to the Des Moines rally where Obama declared that he had a majority of delegates. I also shook his hand which was pretty cool.

A little about McCain
I spent the semester in Advertising research John McCain and how he could better reach out to student/young voters. There aren’t many routes he can take, without changing his message, beliefs on the issues and getting younger. My research showed that he has one of the lowest number of facebook supporters of all the candidates, his own website also receives traffic from primarily 30 yr olds and above. If you compare this to Obama, it’s amazing. Obama has almost 1 million facebook supporters and his own website draws people from every age group at an equal rate. So my project was to create a “Students for McCain” website that wasn’t so depressing as his current site. The results are here. Before McCain recently redesigned his website it was almost all black,gray and dark blue. Not the color scheme I would choose for the oldest candidate running for the highest office in the US. I also tried making the site full of interactivity, which his old design lacked. It is a blog-style site so people can comment and have a community among themselves. There is also a video player of his cooler appearances (most of them have been taken down from youtube since the project ended)

Did anyone see this speech?

He seems so flat and angry in this speech. Not to mention, he can’t seem to read the teleprompter. To me he seems so old-school politics. My favorite is when he says “Now that’s not change we can believe in” a few times he always smiles and chuckles softly aftewards. It’s kind of creepy. I also think it’s funny that he pauses when he wants applause, and there’s an awkward pause when he does so.

What are you thoughts on Obama’s movement that is drawing millions and McCain’s lack of a movement?

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One comment on “A Moment About Politics”

  1. Hey there!!!! I followed my site meter here to your website….not knowing it was you. My pictures that you commented on: I arrived for the 11:30am rally at 6:00am that morning and STOOD for all of those hours, but I WAS on the front by the “fence”. Yep, shook his hand, talked with him and told him I saw him in STL at Forest Park….he remembered, so he said. Camera has a zoom, but not very effective, but it does help!!! They are pretty good pics, though.
    I have not been excited about a candidate for Pres like I am now….since Bobby Kennedy whom I met and talked with just a couple of weeks before he was killed. I have STILL not gotten over that…..I was in tears this week just thinking about it. Obama is soooo much like him…..WOW!!!

    Stay in touch…..we leave on Monday for the northeast……will blog when I get online!!

    You seem to be doing great work with your chosen career……GREAT!
    I am sooooo glad for you, Stephen!!!

    John

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