Article on

Hi all -- check out this article from a communication prof at NYU.

The complete article can be viewed at:http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opmci255590495feb25,0,3654993.story

From the debate...

Here is a new video Hil posted following the debate... share your thoughts! This was emailed to those who signed up to receive email communication from her campaign. The email was sent by "Terry McAuliffe."

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/video/134.aspx

Links mentioned in class

Below are links that I mentioned in class. 

The Hilary-youtube video

the higher education gap

the bill moyers interview on the loss of reason

I have also included two links discussing Obama's stance that he doesn't take money from lobbyists 

McCain and empty calls for change

The speeches last night show a contest between Obama and McCain over the value of change. Is change good or bad? Empty or important? McCain says...

"Will we make the right changes to restore the people's trust in their government and meet the great challenges of our time with wisdom and with faith and the values and ability of Americans for whom no challenge is greater than their resolve, courage and patriotism? Will we do that?

Or we will heed appeals for change that ignore the lessons of history and lack confidence in the intelligence and ideals of free people. I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change that..."

Obama addressed this concern in his speech, talking about the value of hope and the importance/hard work of change. He said:

"It is going to take more than big rallies. It's going to require more than rousing speeches. It will also require more than policy papers and positions and Web sites. It is going to require something more, because the problem that we face in America today is not the lack of good ideas. It's that Washington has become a place where good ideas go to die..."

"All these things are possible, if you are ready for change. But I have to say that there are a lot of people these days who are telling you not to believe. They're trying to persuade you that, "Well, Obama may have good ideas, but he hasn't been in Washington long enough. We need to season and stew him a little bit more and boil all the hope out of him."

But I think you understand and the American people understand that the last thing we need is to have the same old folks doing the same old things, making the same mistakes over and over and over again."

"There are those who would say that you have to be wary about inspiration because you might be disappointed, who say that Obama may make a good speech, but what is really going to make a difference is how you work our government.

But I have to say that it is my central premise that the only way we will bring about real change in America is if we can bring new people into the process, if we can attract young people, if we can attract independents, if we can stop fighting with Republicans and try to bring some over to our side."

"I know that there are some who say, "Well, what about John McCain?" And I revere and honor John McCain's service to this country."

"He is a genuine American hero. But when he embraces George Bush's failed economic policies, when he says that he is willing to send our troops into another 100 years of war in Iraq, then he represents the policies of yesterday. And we want to be the party of tomorrow. And I'm looking forward to having that debate with John McCain.

But, you know, there's something deeper in this argument we've been hearing about inspiration. It really has to do with the meaning of hope. Some of you know I talk about hope a lot. And it's not surprising, because, if you think about it, the odds of me standing here are very slim."

He goes on to talk more about hope, how he came from a bad background etc. He also says stuff like the only good things that every happened in this country happened because of hope. So here is the real question:

Can McCain win a campaign against hope? Does it almost sound defeatists to argue against it?

Those who may wonder about Obama's substance, I recommend watching this speech. He outlines many policies covering issues from health care, tax structure, minimum wage to Iraq, the war on terror, genocide in Darfur and global warming. He also speaks to what he thinks is necessary to create these policies. You may argue that he is naive to believe that he can do all of this, but then what politician doesn't over claim what they plan to achieve. More importantly, I'm not sure we can say any longer that the calls for "change" lack substance.

Thoughts?

McCain's speech http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021902598.html

Obama's speech http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021903257.html

Obama "Yes We Can"

We watched this video in the debates class today. I think it is amazing and though you all should add comments on it. Is this the kind of thing that has been done before? Is there an analogy? Is it really not that big of a deal, just a cool video? Or does it represent something more fundamental that may be unique to the Obama campaign? Give me your thoughts.

Welcome

This blogspot will host a continuing dialogue regarding national politics and political communication theory. Its creation was inspired by the Spring 2008 Political Communication graduate seminar at the University of Kansas but will assuredly transcend this purpose and earn international acclaim for the insight contained herein. Enjoy the reading and post freely, even if you are not associated with the seminar. After all, what is political communication if not democratic.
Ben Warner