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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 33 - 20 Mar 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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| | | Assuming he is the nominee, Obama will face amplified concerns about his experience. Given his thin resume, relative youth, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' anxiety regarding his readiness to govern, costing him potentially decisive votes. | |
<
< | Experience Matters | >
> | The Liability of Inexperience | | | | |
<
< | The Liability of Inexperience
In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures of the Bush administration, concerns about national security, and our crumbling economy, the public wants a president who can step into the office ready to lead. Unfortunately for Obama, general election voters cite "inexperienced" as the word that best describes him. This characterization could lead many American’s who might have otherwise supported Obama’s candidacy to vote for the more tested candidate, particularly if the current economic and political instability continues.
The General Election
Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain's lengthy Congressional record, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, will allow him to further entrench questions about Obama's readiness to lead. Moreover, the perception of McCain as a "maverick" allows him to be seen as experienced without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Therefore, he is well-positioned to capitalize on the uncertainty created by volatile circumstances without the usual baggage accompanying such attacks. | >
> | In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures of the Bush administration, concerns about national security, and our crumbling economy, the public wants a president who can step into the office ready to lead. Unfortunately for Obama, general election voters cite "inexperienced" as the word that best describes him. This characterization could lead many American’s who might have otherwise supported Obama's candidacy to vote for the more tested candidate, particularly if the current economic and political instability continues. | | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism | |
<
< | Obama, on the other hand, is poorly positioned to make a compelling argument that he has sufficient experience to lead. First, for the purposes of this election cycle, "experience" has already been defined in years of service and that is something Obama does not have. Second, Obama's age and race do not fit the stereotype of an experienced politician. Finally, his adversary is an archetypal presidential candidate prepared to capitalize on this issue.
- I feel like there is some structure problem here. This paragraph feels like it belongs before the general election paragraph. I should look to see if there is a way to smooth this out
| >
> | Unlike McCain, Obama is poorly positioned to convincingly argue that he has sufficient experience to lead. First, his resume is not sufficiently robust to withstand attack. Second, Obama's age and race do not fit the stereotype of an experienced politician. Finally, his adversary is an archetypal presidential candidate prepared to capitalize on this issue. | | | Inexperience | |
<
< | As Karl Rove has shown, making a charge stick only requires three things: a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's unpreparedness. Obama’s relatively thin resume (3 years in the Senate, 8 in state government, and 15 as a community organizer, attorney, and academic) provides the little bit of truth and the Republican machine will provide the rest.
- Do I need more here? I am assuming that the public sees experience in number of years served or major accomplishments achieved without really justifying that. Obama would neither be the youngest man elected president or the least "experienced" (by pretty much any measure), but he is less "experienced" than McCain in almost every category that could conceivably matter to a large percentage of voters. What needs to be said, beyond what I have said, to make this work?
| >
> | Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain? 's lengthy Congressional record, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, will allow him to further entrench questions about Obama's readiness to lead. Moreover, the perception of McCain? as a "maverick" allows him to be seen as experienced without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Therefore, he is well-positioned to capitalize on the uncertainty created by volatile circumstances without the usual baggage accompanying such attacks. | | | | |
<
< | Since a head to head experience battle favors McCain, Obama’s best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain's attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. Thus far, Obama, perhaps "masquing treason," has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." However, this tactic does not change public's perception of his experience; it only mitigates its importance. If the long campaign forces the issue, even Obama's best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience, perhaps costing him votes. | >
> | Just as the Republicans turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's unpreparedness. Obama’s relatively thin resume (3 years in the Senate, 8 in state government, and 15 as a community organizer, attorney, and academic) provides the little bit of truth necessary to make the charge stick and the Republican machine will provide the rest. The fact that Obama would neither be the youngest man elected president nor the least "experienced" – regardless of how the word is defined – will be lost in a chorus of "Do you want him answering the phone at 3a.m.?" | | | | |
>
> | Since a head to head experience battle favors McCain? , Obama’s best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain? 's attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. Thus far, Obama, perhaps "masquing treason," has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." However, this tactic does not change public's perception of his experience; it only mitigates its importance. If the long campaign forces the issue, even Obama's best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience, perhaps costing him votes. | | | Age | |
<
< | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is not easy to convince people old enough to be your parent that you are ready to lead the country (especially when standing next to their older brother). Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voter hesitancy to elect a 72 year old. In fact, Obama's surgical use of "half century of service," while perhaps cementing the idea that age equals experience, has, at least, forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes his own experience. "Old" is the word voters most associate with McCain and so he will have to find a way to focus on experience without looking his age, possibly reducing the potency of his attacks. | >
> | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is not easy to convince people old enough to be your parent that you are ready to lead the country (especially when standing next to their older brother). Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voter hesitancy to elect a 72 year old. In fact, Obama's surgical use of "half century of service," while perhaps cementing the idea that age equals experience, has, at least, forced McCain? to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes his own experience. "Old" is the word voters most associate with McCain? and so he will have to find a way to focus on experience without looking his age, possibly reducing the potency of his attacks. | | | Race
| |
<
< | With embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Intelligent and well-spoken maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Race both facilitates believing Obama is inexperienced and makes it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead.
Additionally, "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for an African American. While most people voting based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies, some Democrats and Independents are searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the “Bradley Effect” voters, saying one thing and voting another, the experience issue can be used to justify an otherwise discriminatory vote. | >
> | With embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Intelligent and well-spoken maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Therefore, at least subconsciously, Obama’s race both facilitates believing that he is inexperienced and makes it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | | | | |
<
< | Without the cover of experience, these voters would not support Obama, but using experience to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote adds fuel to the inexperience argument. As evidenced in posts on the racist message board Stormfront and frank conversations with white voters (including my own grandmother, a life-long democrat, who remarked, after being pressed on her criticisms of Obama, that "we’re just not ready for a black president"), white fear of a black president is often hiding behind experience. | >
> | Additionally, "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for an African American to cast a vote for McCain. While most people voting based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies, some Democrats and Independents are searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times (including my own grandmother, a life-long Democrat, who remarked, after being pressed on her criticisms of Obama, that "we’re just not ready for a black president"), or the “Bradley Effect” voters, saying one thing and voting another, the experience issue can be used to justify an otherwise discriminatory vote. Without the cover of experience, these voters would not support Obama, but using experience to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote adds fuel to the inexperience argument. | | | | |
<
< | Obama's race alone may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, however, by making it harder for white voters to picture Obama as ready to do the job and adding voices to the chorus questioning his experience, race makes the experience argument stick. | >
> | While Obama's race alone may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, by making it harder for white voters to picture Obama as ready to do the job and adding voices to the chorus questioning his experience, race makes the experience argument stick. | | | Conclusion | |
<
< | Many other (possibly more important) issues will also determine who wins this election. However, given how close this race is likely to be, the candidate who best manages the experience issue, all else being equal, will likely wind up on top.
Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps experience or turn the age issue against McCain. However, on race, to borrow from Gandhi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible for him to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience, possibly costing him the election.
- I use a lot of words to say nothing in this conclustion, that have to change
| >
> | It is possible for Obama to turn the age issue against McCain? and even convincingly argue that good judgment trumps experience. However, on race, to borrow from Gandhi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible for him to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience. In what is likely to be a close race, this could cost him the election. | | |
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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 32 - 20 Mar 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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| | | Introduction | |
<
< | Assuming he is the nominee, Obama will face amplified concerns about his experience. Given his thin resume, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' anxiety regarding his readiness to govern; costing him potentially decisive votes. | >
> | Assuming he is the nominee, Obama will face amplified concerns about his experience. Given his thin resume, relative youth, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' anxiety regarding his readiness to govern, costing him potentially decisive votes. | | | Experience Matters
The Liability of Inexperience | |
<
< | In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures of the Bush administration, concerns about national security, and our crumbling economy, the public wants a president who can step into the office ready to lead. Unfortunately for Obama, general election voters not only see McCain as more experienced, but cite "inexperienced" as the word best describing Obama. As instability increases, this characterization could lead many American’s who might have otherwise supported Obama’s candidacy to vote for the more tested candidate. | >
> | In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures of the Bush administration, concerns about national security, and our crumbling economy, the public wants a president who can step into the office ready to lead. Unfortunately for Obama, general election voters cite "inexperienced" as the word that best describes him. This characterization could lead many American’s who might have otherwise supported Obama’s candidacy to vote for the more tested candidate, particularly if the current economic and political instability continues. | | | The General Election | |
<
< | Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain's lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, will allow him to further entrench questions about Obama's readiness to lead. Moreover, the perception of McCain as a "maverick" allows him to acquire the experience mantle without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Therefore, he is well-positioned to portray Obama as inexperienced and capitalize on the uncertainty created by volatile circumstances without the usual baggage accompanying such attacks. | >
> | Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain's lengthy Congressional record, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, will allow him to further entrench questions about Obama's readiness to lead. Moreover, the perception of McCain as a "maverick" allows him to be seen as experienced without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Therefore, he is well-positioned to capitalize on the uncertainty created by volatile circumstances without the usual baggage accompanying such attacks. | | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism | |
<
< | Obama, on the other hand, is poorly positioned to make a compelling argument that he has sufficient experience to lead. First, for the purposes of this election cycle, "experience" has already been defined in years of service and that is something Obama does not have. Second, Obama's age and race do not fit the stereotype of an experienced politician. Finally, he will be facing an adversary who is an archetypal presidential candidate, prepared to capitalize on this issue. | >
> | Obama, on the other hand, is poorly positioned to make a compelling argument that he has sufficient experience to lead. First, for the purposes of this election cycle, "experience" has already been defined in years of service and that is something Obama does not have. Second, Obama's age and race do not fit the stereotype of an experienced politician. Finally, his adversary is an archetypal presidential candidate prepared to capitalize on this issue.
- I feel like there is some structure problem here. This paragraph feels like it belongs before the general election paragraph. I should look to see if there is a way to smooth this out
| | | Inexperience | |
<
< | As Karl Rove has shown, making a charge stick only requires a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's unpreparedness. Obama’s relatively thin resume (3 years in the Senate, 8 more in the state Senate, and 15 years as a community organizer, attorney, and academic) provides the little bit of truth and the Republican machine will provide the rest. Since a head to head experience battle favors McCain, Obama’s best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain's attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. | >
> | As Karl Rove has shown, making a charge stick only requires three things: a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's unpreparedness. Obama’s relatively thin resume (3 years in the Senate, 8 in state government, and 15 as a community organizer, attorney, and academic) provides the little bit of truth and the Republican machine will provide the rest.
- Do I need more here? I am assuming that the public sees experience in number of years served or major accomplishments achieved without really justifying that. Obama would neither be the youngest man elected president or the least "experienced" (by pretty much any measure), but he is less "experienced" than McCain in almost every category that could conceivably matter to a large percentage of voters. What needs to be said, beyond what I have said, to make this work?
| | | | |
<
< | Thus far, Obama, perhaps "masquing treason," has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." However, this tactic does not change the public’s perception of Obama’s experience; it only mitigates its importance. If the long campaign forces the issue, even his best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience, perhaps costing him votes. | >
> | Since a head to head experience battle favors McCain, Obama’s best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain's attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. Thus far, Obama, perhaps "masquing treason," has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." However, this tactic does not change public's perception of his experience; it only mitigates its importance. If the long campaign forces the issue, even Obama's best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience, perhaps costing him votes. | | | | |
<
< | Age | | | | |
<
< | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. Convincing people old enough to be your parent that you are ready to lead the country is challenging. Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voter hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president. In fact, Obama's surgical use of the term "half century of service" has forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. "Old" is the word voters most commonly associate with McCain and comparisons to Dole are creeping into the race. McCain will have to find a way to focus on experience without looking his age, possibly reducing the potency of his attacks. | >
> | Age | | | | |
>
> | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is not easy to convince people old enough to be your parent that you are ready to lead the country (especially when standing next to their older brother). Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voter hesitancy to elect a 72 year old. In fact, Obama's surgical use of "half century of service," while perhaps cementing the idea that age equals experience, has, at least, forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes his own experience. "Old" is the word voters most associate with McCain and so he will have to find a way to focus on experience without looking his age, possibly reducing the potency of his attacks. | | | Race
| |
<
< | With embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Intelligent and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Just as race facilitates believing Obama is inexperienced, it makes it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | >
> | With embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Intelligent and well-spoken maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Race both facilitates believing Obama is inexperienced and makes it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | | | Additionally, "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for an African American. While most people voting based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies, some Democrats and Independents are searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the “Bradley Effect” voters, saying one thing and voting another, the experience issue can be used to justify an otherwise discriminatory vote.
Without the cover of experience, these voters would not support Obama, but using experience to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote adds fuel to the inexperience argument. As evidenced in posts on the racist message board Stormfront and frank conversations with white voters (including my own grandmother, a life-long democrat, who remarked, after being pressed on her criticisms of Obama, that "we’re just not ready for a black president"), white fear of a black president is often hiding behind experience. | |
<
< | Obama’s race alone may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, however, by making it harder for white voters to picture Obama as ready to do the job and adding voices to the chorus questioning his experience, race makes the experience argument stick.
| >
> | Obama's race alone may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, however, by making it harder for white voters to picture Obama as ready to do the job and adding voices to the chorus questioning his experience, race makes the experience argument stick. | | | Conclusion | |
<
< | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps experience or turn the age issue against McCain. However, on race, to borrow from Gandhi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible for him to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience.
Many other (possibly more important) issues will go a long way to determine who wins this election. However, given how close this race is likely to be, the candidate who best manages the experience issue, all other things being equal, is likely to wind up on top. | >
> | Many other (possibly more important) issues will also determine who wins this election. However, given how close this race is likely to be, the candidate who best manages the experience issue, all else being equal, will likely wind up on top. | | | | |
>
> | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps experience or turn the age issue against McCain. However, on race, to borrow from Gandhi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible for him to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience, possibly costing him the election.
- I use a lot of words to say nothing in this conclustion, that have to change
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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 31 - 18 Mar 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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| | | Introduction | |
<
< | During the general election, McCain? will amplify the concerns Clinton has raised about Obama’s experience. Given Obama's thin resume, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' anxiety regarding his readiness to govern; costing him potentially decisive votes. | >
> | Assuming he is the nominee, Obama will face amplified concerns about his experience. Given his thin resume, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' anxiety regarding his readiness to govern; costing him potentially decisive votes. | | | | |
<
< | The Experience Argument
The Meaning of "Experience"
"Experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing. Therefore, it is a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's vague. Its ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. When Clinton raises her own experience as a foil to Obama, Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and the speaker benefits, allowing Clinton to paint Obama as inexperienced. In fact, "inexperienced" is the word voters most commonly use to describe him. | >
> | Experience Matters | | | The Liability of Inexperience | |
<
< | In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failure of the Bush administration, security concerns drummed up since September 11, and crumbling economy, the public want a president who steps into the office ready to lead. Being seen otherwise will cost votes. Unfortunately for Obama, voters see McCain as more experienced. | >
> | In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures of the Bush administration, concerns about national security, and our crumbling economy, the public wants a president who can step into the office ready to lead. Unfortunately for Obama, general election voters not only see McCain as more experienced, but cite "inexperienced" as the word best describing Obama. As instability increases, this characterization could lead many American’s who might have otherwise supported Obama’s candidacy to vote for the more tested candidate. | | | | |
<
< | Experience in the General Election | >
> | The General Election | | | | |
<
< | Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain’s lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, position him to further entrench the nation’s questions about Obama’s readiness to lead. Moreover, McCain’s "maverick" persona allows him to acquire the experience mantle without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. As a result, McCain is well-positioned to portray Obama as inexperienced. | >
> | Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain's lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, will allow him to further entrench questions about Obama's readiness to lead. Moreover, the perception of McCain as a "maverick" allows him to acquire the experience mantle without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Therefore, he is well-positioned to portray Obama as inexperienced and capitalize on the uncertainty created by volatile circumstances without the usual baggage accompanying such attacks. | | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism | |
<
< | Obama's Inexperience | >
> | Obama, on the other hand, is poorly positioned to make a compelling argument that he has sufficient experience to lead. First, for the purposes of this election cycle, "experience" has already been defined in years of service and that is something Obama does not have. Second, Obama's age and race do not fit the stereotype of an experienced politician. Finally, he will be facing an adversary who is an archetypal presidential candidate, prepared to capitalize on this issue.
Inexperience | | | | |
<
< | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job. Unfortunately for Obama, he lacks the "little bit of truth" necessary to effectively fight back. A head to head resume battle favors McCain? and could be Obama's undoing. His best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain’s attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. | >
> | As Karl Rove has shown, making a charge stick only requires a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's unpreparedness. Obama’s relatively thin resume (3 years in the Senate, 8 more in the state Senate, and 15 years as a community organizer, attorney, and academic) provides the little bit of truth and the Republican machine will provide the rest. Since a head to head experience battle favors McCain, Obama’s best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain's attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. | | | | |
<
< | Thus far, Obama has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters have given him the benefit of the doubt. However, if the long campaign prevents him from dodging the issue altogether, even his best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience and could cost him votes. | >
> | Thus far, Obama, perhaps "masquing treason," has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." However, this tactic does not change the public’s perception of Obama’s experience; it only mitigates its importance. If the long campaign forces the issue, even his best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience, perhaps costing him votes. | | | | |
<
< | Obama's Age | >
> | Age | | | | |
<
< | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was only eight years old. It is hard to convince people you are ready to lead the country when you are their little brother’s age. Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voters' hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president. In fact, fear of being portrayed as an aging Washington insider and Obama's surgical use of the term "half century of service" have forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. "Old" is the word voters most commonly associate with McCain? and pundits are beginning to draw allusions to Bob Dole. | >
> | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. Convincing people old enough to be your parent that you are ready to lead the country is challenging. Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voter hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president. In fact, Obama's surgical use of the term "half century of service" has forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. "Old" is the word voters most commonly associate with McCain and comparisons to Dole are creeping into the race. McCain will have to find a way to focus on experience without looking his age, possibly reducing the potency of his attacks. | | | | |
<
< | If Obama can stay ahead of McCain on the age issue, the experience argument will be less damaging. While voter’s may still elect the inexperienced (George W. Bush) or the young (JFK, Bill Clinton), they have yet to put someone in the white house perceived to be both. | | | | |
>
> | Race | | | | |
<
< | Obama's Race | >
> | With embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Intelligent and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Just as race facilitates believing Obama is inexperienced, it makes it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | | | | |
<
< | In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Just as race makes it easier for voters to believe Obama is inexperienced, it will make it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | >
> | Additionally, "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for an African American. While most people voting based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies, some Democrats and Independents are searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the “Bradley Effect” voters, saying one thing and voting another, the experience issue can be used to justify an otherwise discriminatory vote. | | | | |
<
< | Additionally, "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for an African American. While most people voting based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the “Bradley Effect” voters who say one thing and vote another, they can use the experience issue to justify their discriminatory vote. Without the cover of experience, these voters would not support Obama, but using experience to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote adds fuel to the inexperience argument. As evidenced in posts on the white, racist message board Stormfront and frank conversations with white voters (including my own grandmother), white fear of a black president is sometimes hiding behind experience. | >
> | Without the cover of experience, these voters would not support Obama, but using experience to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote adds fuel to the inexperience argument. As evidenced in posts on the racist message board Stormfront and frank conversations with white voters (including my own grandmother, a life-long democrat, who remarked, after being pressed on her criticisms of Obama, that "we’re just not ready for a black president"), white fear of a black president is often hiding behind experience.
Obama’s race alone may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, however, by making it harder for white voters to picture Obama as ready to do the job and adding voices to the chorus questioning his experience, race makes the experience argument stick. | | | | |
<
< | While, by itself, his race may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, when combined with his thin resume and the positive public perception of his opponent’s experience it helps sustain the argument. By making it harder for white voters to picture as ready to do the job and adding voices to the claims of inexperience, Obama’s race then makes that argument stick. | | | Conclusion | |
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< | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps experience or turn the age issue against McCain. However, on race, to borrow from Ghandi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience. In what is shaping up to be a close election, this is one of many issues that could decide the race. | >
> | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps experience or turn the age issue against McCain. However, on race, to borrow from Gandhi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible for him to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience.
Many other (possibly more important) issues will go a long way to determine who wins this election. However, given how close this race is likely to be, the candidate who best manages the experience issue, all other things being equal, is likely to wind up on top. | | | | |
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- I am worried that I am no longer saying anything interesting in this essay ...
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- I think this might be moving in a better direction than your last paper. I think part of the danger with your topic is making it seem as if candidates are conspiring to put forth a racist argument. Obviously that's not only an inelegant summary of your point, but, well, not a summary of your point, since you make clear that you don't think any of this is (probably) some sort of evil master plan to play the race card. In any case, what I'm trying to say is that I think your paper rests on safer ground when it looks at what the voters are hearing, not what the candidates are trying to make the voters hear. Do other people agree? |
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