2008 Presidential Campaign Analysis

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The Presidential Campaign of 2008 was of incredible historical significance. The United States of America, being in a state of economic depression, needed leadership they could trust. The war in Iraq created so many debts that the country had turned to recession. There was incredibly heated controversy over the Bush Administration's last eight years in office. Politics was causing dramatic scenes right and left, with disputes over same-sex marriage, abortion, and global warming. Technological advances provided everyday Americans with thorough, up-to-date news on the net, booming our awareness and involvement. The American public showed a significant growth in voter registration since 2004. Other novelties of the 2008 election included Senator…show more content…
Obama was often paralleled to John F. Kennedy, because both have similar traits the public is attracted to (Dorning). Historian Robert Dallek explains, "it's the aura, it's the rhetoric, the youthfulness..." (Dorning). With the people of our country living with fear in the back of their minds, wishing for a promising future, we were sensitive. We were eager to be engaged. We were eager to be swept off our feet and revolutionized. "This is a country that's hungry for change, a new direction, a new approach," explained campaign strategist David Axelrod (Conniff). Obama demonstrated in his political rallies and speeches the charisma people had been missing for a long time (Lambro). Obama was offering the people "exactly what they want right now: an eloquent, ecumenical, youthful political star who excites the party's base and has the ability to reach out to cross-over constituencies" (Lambro). America was looking for an "X" factor, and Obama's natural talent of oratorship equipped him for the advantage. But does being a good speaker make you fit to lead the country? Is Obama just a smooth talker? Were his talks of change and hope and progress just empty words? While many Americans swooned over Obama, others questioned his true ability to perform presidential…show more content…
He makes a good preacher, yes, but a good president? I say yes to that, as well. His words, his expressions, and his spark is what will change this country for the better. America is in a fragile state, and Obama is not adding more somber fear to our lives. Throughout his campaign, he spoke of hope. He gave us just that. He spoke of change, and we can already see it happening with the his election being a monumental achievement for the African American community. From those that support Obama, it is overwhelming and excited. He has instilled positivity back into our patriotism. He does not deny that our nation has great issues at hand, but he says that if we work together, we can achieve solutions. I think that Obama's speeches and ideals are, in many ways, just claims. But in significance to his presidency, it is his belief in these statements that America needs to see. After eight years of struggle and disapproval, we are starving for someone to look up to and lead the way, and we found that in Obama. He has an undeniable gift to motivate - and that is what our country needs above all else. We need the belief that we can change our country into a better one, and the passion to strive for that
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