What a Whirlwind!

With the Ohio primaries less than a week away, the candidates have been swarming to Ohio. There was an incredible Obama rally (see the article in the Newswire comparing the two rallys). Because of a required meeting, I could not make the Obama rally, but 13,000 other people could. In fact, I learned from a 14-year-old at Walnut Hills, that many students at the school skipped to be at the rally...and subsequently got in trouble for it.

Because my schedule permitted, and I wanted to be the good little moderate I am (ha!...) I did attend the John McCain rally on Tuesday. I heard Bill Cunningham's remarks first-hand. The only reason I maintained a semblance of calmness was because I was up onstage and had promised to be on my best behavior. It was outlandish the way he slandered Barack Obama and all Democrats, mostly. Appalling.

I actually did not disagree with much of what McCain said, and it was an incredible experience to be so close to a Presidential candidate...even if we disagree on most aspects of political philosophy. He took responsibility for the atrocious remarks of Cunningham-which was very classy-and apologized for them.

Interestingly, I was put up on stage with a large group of college students because we were young-looking. The McCain campaign is trying to counteract the Obama youth movement. Funny thing is, many of the youth onstage at the rally were only interested in political rallys rather than supporters of McCain. Many, at least around me, were avid Obama fans.

The other interesting thing about the rally was the homemade signs that you see in the picture above. They handed us those signs to make it look like we had created them. They were so new that the paint was still drying when they handed them to us. I guess they wanted it to look like we treat the rally like a basketball game or something...and go all out.

I feel like I need to donate lots of money to the Obama campaign just to make my penance for spending the day with so many Republicans...

I did get to shake McCain's hand (a flimsy shake, if you're curious) and that shake was on CNN and Fox News--along with much of the coverage.

Today, however, I am overly excited about a conference call opportunity I have (with several others including two Newswire writers) to speak with...get this...three high ranking people from the Obama campaign!!! Be still my heart!!!

Of course I'll keep this blog updated on how that goes...I can hardly stand the excitement!

-Briana Hansen

O(bama) Snap!

Winning all three of the Potomac Primaries, Obama has proved that he has the momentum in this race and is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is this good news for those of us who are fans of Obama, but it is phenomenal news for all of Ohio. It means that we have become the next real battleground state (along with Texas) on March 4--see the link above for the CNN article.

(Note: I have become so excited and involved in thinking about this election that I actually had a dream last night in which I was voting on March 4 and was so frustrated with all the people around me who didn't know that the primary was going on or how to vote...nerdy, I know...)

Though Clinton is far from out of the race, it will be very important for her to garner the support of the Latino population especially. Like California, there needs to be a huge turnout for her to get the leg-up that she needs in this race. Unfortunately for Clinton, at least in the past couple days, when Obama wins...he wins big. Whereas when she wins, Obama still manages to get enough support that it tugs away at her delegate numbers. With the exception of the few "winner take all" states, this is detrimental to the Clinton strategy.

In 2000, we had a question about the legitimacy and beneficial nature of the Electoral College because of the outcome of the election. It seems a race like this between Clinton and Obama might call into question the ability of the overly-complicated Democratic primary system to really choose the best candidate for the general election in the fall. Then again, it could fall by the wayside just like the electoral college questions 8 years ago...

~Briana

Neck and Neck

The excitement of the Democratic primary race continued this weekend with Barack Obama continuing his momentum by winning all four of the state primaries (LA, NE, WA, ME). Though Clinton's strategy has been to go for big wins in the big states...it would appear that she is no longer content nor comfortable with this strategy. Why do I say this? I think firing your campaign manager in the midst of a close battle is a telltale sign that all is not quiet on the Clinton front...

The next primaries that are coming up tomorrow (MD, DC, VA) are favoring Obama, too. It is difficult to say what Clinton's next move is. She does have an advantage when some of the heavy hitting states vote in March (some polls suggest blue-collar workers in Ohio and Pennsylvania are big Clinton supporters, along with the Latino population of Texas). March is really a "do or die" month for the New York senator. Even with an advantage numerically over Obama in both pledged delegates (barely) and superdelegates (again, not a huge lead)...she will have to start proving that she is really able to garner a great deal of support throughout the country and rally the excitement of those in the party like Obama.

On a more personal sidenote, I have to say that-though I am admittedly and Obama follower-I admire the heck out of Hillary Clinton and would support her whole-heartedly if she were to get the nomination. What makes that statement more than political is the fact that she is a woman and her campaign manager (both old and new) is a woman. It is incredible to think that in a system that has been and continues to be dominated by men, she has been able to come into such power and influence. No matter what the outcome of the election, she has really made a huge stride for the power of women within politics. She is constantly held to different standards that her collegues (her dress, her tone, her appearance...what is it to be a strong female, etc). Though I disagree with many of her campaign smarmy-ness (like putting her name on the ballot in FL and Michigan, knowing full well that those delegates would not be counted, but likely pulling strings to make them count so she can get an advantage at the convention), I think she holds her own in a male-dominated world and I admire her immensely for that.

Briana Hansen

Division and Unity

Unity is a key issue on both sides of the aisle as the 2008 presidential election approaches. As Briana mentioned in her last article, some key Democrats are worried that the Obama-Clinton showdown may cause grudges and hurt feelings that will carry over into the general election. Republicans, however, face a similar dilemma.
Despite today's loss in the Kansas caucus, John McCain will likely seal the Republican nomination. While many of his stances appeal to moderates and conservative Democrats, they also have the possibility of creating some divisions in the Republican party. McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform and the proposed McCain-Kennedy immigration reform plan have turned off many conservative voters.
Over time, the conservative right will transition from feeling with their hearts to thinking with their minds. In a general election against either Senator Clinton or Barack Obama, the conservative right will choose McCain. While McCain may have a few dents in his conservative record, he is much more conservative than either of the democratic alternatives.
High democratic turnout might be the biggest problem for McCain. In recent primaries, Democrats are showing up to vote like never before. He needs to be able to ignite the conserative right - generating the grassroots volunteers, donors, and organization that helped push Bush over the top in 2000 and 2004.
This is especially crucial in swing states like Ohio and Florida. While the conservatives who show up on election day will likely vote for McCain, he may need an extra something (or someone) to motivate, inspire, and unite the Republican party.

- Kevin Hoggatt

Splitting hairs

This Democratic race really could turn out to be groundbreaking...but I had never thought that having a divided party in the primaries could actually hurt the Democrats during the general election...though it really makes sense.

Howard Dean and other Dem leaders, in thinking about the upcoming convention, do not want the nominee to be decided at the convention based on a few superdelegate votes. Part of the argument is that the party that is more divided about their candidate tends not to do as well in the general election. This could be disasterous for the Dems, especially with the "moderate" John McCain as the Republican nominee.

After really becoming attached to this race, and (I'll admit it) aligning myself with Sen. Obama, I can see the dilemma among the party. The supporters on each side become so visceral about their candidate, they cannot imagine voting for anyone else...even if they are a Democrat. Though most staunch Democrats will vote for the party's nominee no matter what, there is still a great deal of worry about whether or not others, who's candidate is not chosen, will even get out and vote on election day. Or, especially in Obama's case, if his more moderate and independent supporters will swing to the Republican nominee. It's an interesting question to ponder...

-Briana

It's Ohio Time, Baby

What better time to revitalize this blog than with the Ohio Primary coming up in a little under a Month...

March 4 will be a huge day for the Democratic campaign. Though it was recently (like earlier today) announced that Romney is suspending his campaign--and will likely drop out because of his shortcomings on SuperTuesday--the Democrat nomination is in a dead heat, and Ohio is the next battleground...how fantastic for us.

Obama said this morning that he does not want to debate Hillary in Ohio and would prefer spending time talking to the voters. This is a very interesting tactic, especially coming on the heels of a very friendly debate in California. It seems his campaign seems to be struggling with how to stay positive while still distinguishing himself enough from Clinton to garner support. He is an incredibly charismatic candidate (I relish listening to his speeches. Honestly, I bark for quiet at those talking around me and get goosebumps every two minutes or so...I LOVE listening to that man talk!) Maybe he thinks that by using his charisma and his charm and his eloquence, he can still play the game on his terms and get more support rather than re-hasing a bunch of answers in a debate that people already know about the candidates. It's an interesting request...we'll see where it goes...

Around campus, it seems that most of the people I've talked to are at least knowledgeable about the candidates. It's sad to think that many people have not been paying even the slightest amount of attention to the race, especially on the (more exciting I would of course argue) Democratic side. The two candidates are both incredible leaders...it's a matter of who can take over on the national scale. This could very well be a race that goes to the convention--but Ohio will play a major factor in deciding the candidates outcomes.

I recently registered to vote in Ohio. I guess I kept holding out hope that maybe I could get more Democrats elected in Indiana...but after losing our Democratic mayor I was so proud of, I decided I'll register in a state where my vote could actually make a difference.

-Briana