Summary: Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama recently began campaigning nationally for the Democratic nomination, even though the primaries and caucuses typically render campaign messages specifically targeting each state. With “Super Tuesday” on the horizon and many delegates at stake, the two candidates decided to make their general messages and plans national. In viewing the brief NY Times video clip, you may find out what the implications are of this calculated campaign decision.
Focus Question(s): Do you believe Clinton and Obama were too early in catapulting to a national campaign? What will be the effects of these decisions?
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=6f470a4302a94856f6927179725a91a6f50ff3a9
5 responses so far ↓
Gerry Castro // January 26, 2008 at 4:23 am |
No Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were not too early in waging a national campaign. Although the focus of the primary season is on the states, the lack of a substantial off time between primaries forces the candidates to campaign in multiple states simultaneously. Super Tuesday encompasses 22 Democratic primaries and with Hillary and Barack in a dead heat for the nomination it could very well decide who’s name is called at the 2008 DNC. The issue of their marketing funds being depleted after Super Tuesday is irrelevant. If little or no money is spent than the candidate need not worry about after Super Tuesday, he/she should worry about what to do next after not winning the nomination.
08roconnor // January 29, 2008 at 3:25 pm |
I agree with Gerry, Clinton and Obama were right to launch a national advertising campagin when they did. With super tuesday just a week a way it is in their best intrest that they try to communicate with the largest number of voters as possible. Even though they are not there in person, these campaign ads make it possible for them to reach a large number of voters in a small amount of time.
Super tuesday is the day that will most likely determine who the DNC will nominate as their presidential canidate, demands the most amount of funds of the election up to date.
aslivingston // January 30, 2008 at 12:52 am |
Personally I think the best type of campaign in the primaries is a campaign that’s run like a national campaign. Getting past the bickering and personal attacks will accelerate a candidate ahead. I know that pandering to specific states like Iowa and New Hampshire will help a candidate to gain momentum, but once you get past that you really need to focus your campaign on the entire country. This is even more important when states have front loaded onto Super Tuesday. With so many delegates on the line from different states the top candidates from the parties will have to run a national style campaign. So no Obama and Clinton are right in their strategies. It is a refreshing break from the constant attacks on each other. They must remember in the long run all the people are going to be electing the president not just single important states.
Colleen H // January 30, 2008 at 4:22 am |
I also agree that while this is very early to start a national campaign, it is a good strategy for Obama and Clinton in this time of the primary race. It would not make sense for them to try to hit all 22 super tuesday states right before the elections–they would have no time to get to all of them and if they somehow did, it would really exhaust them! This does seem like a more effective way to reach a large amount of people and to spend the campaign funds. Since the Democratic candidate will more than likely be Obama or Clinton, starting the national campaign early will be even more beneficial to the one who wins the primary since they will then have had a “head start.”
Sarah P. // January 31, 2008 at 2:51 am |
I don’t think Obama and Hillary had a choice in whether or not releasing a national campaign was a warranted political decision. There’s been so much emphasis placed on this primary in particular, and those two candidates are, like Gerry said, in a dead heat for the DNC nomination. Making this announcement was a smart thing to do. There is no way that either candidate can be on the East and West coasts simultaneously, especially on Super Tuesday. Thus, getting their name out is the only option they have.
Furthermore, we’ve discussed in class how neither candidate stands for anything different, and that was obviously considered in making these calculated campaign decisions. I think both the Obama and the Clinton campaign directors are wondering how many votes can they obtain just by saying their name.