One Man Down...

"Third Runner" John Edwards has officially dropped out of the 2008 Presidential Race. I think it is fair to anticipate a historical moment: after following the front runners Senator Clinton and Barack Obama, I believe the Democratic nomination will not be going to a white male.  I am eager to follow this primary and general election. Even with Edwards' new media campaign strategies, it is apparent that he could not reach crucial democratic supporters. I would not be surprised to see Edwards on another candidate's ticket. He has been striving toward the Presidency for numerous years; I can imagine that the past five years have been challenging and exhausting--I wonder if we will see more him. Edwards' actions solidify the fact that the Democratic party is ready for change--this race just got, a whole lot, more interesting.

"Without demonizing those with a different view."

I was watching an educational film today, "So Goes the Nation", featuring President Bush and John Kerry during the 2004 Presidential election campaigns. Throughout this film, it is clear that ideographs and campaign messages can motivate supporters; however, the film also demonstrated  that visible groups/supporters often represent the extremes of the political spectrum, isolating the more moderate individuals and ideals. 

During one scene, the Bush and Kerry supporters engaged in angry, public discourse. Ultimately, this non-adversarial argumentation leaves individuals closed minded and isolated to their own views/ideology-- not a healthy environment (public) for positive political growth. 

 It is important to remember that our nation, our political culture, must understand, and at least acknowledge the middle ground and the moderate ideals. 

Today, I watched Caroline and Senator Edward Kennedy endorse Barack Obama, on www.CNN.com. Senator Edward Kennedy stated that Obama has the capability to lead "without demonizing those with a different view." 

I am not stating my support for Obama, rather I am stating my support for the importance of open, effective communication between all political sides. Without listening to one another, and by blindly shouting insensitive and ignorant remarks at one another, we will not make much progress. I believe this to be true in many publics, but certainly in our political public. 

Reference Endorsement CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/29/kennedy.reax/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Two Families...Two Decades

A little off SCOM 353's topic, but relevant to the Presidential election...

Through conversation with a friend, it was brought to my attention, if Senator Clinton is elected President for the 2008 election, two families will have "ruled/lead" our nation for a little over two decades: 1989 former President Bush Senior, former President Clinton, President Bush, and possibly 2008-2012 Senator Clinton. 

 

A Democracy, gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives. While this is true, these individuals are in fact elected representatives/offices, it is hard to ignore the fact that the elite and the well-financed tend to succeed in the game of politics.  

I wonder, besides "New Media Campaign Strategies," what else is out there enabling the candidate with the smaller war chest? I think it is worth reflecting on how and why two families could have the power and capability to influence our nation so profoundly. 

I am aware that Senator Clinton has not claimed victory yet; however, she is a leading Democratic candidate and I think she is worth thinking about. 

Scom 353: Ideographs in Action

Today, our class discussed the article "The Ideograph: A Link Between Rhetoric and Ideology." During our discussion we deconstructed the article and found a basic definition for the term "ideograph": a figure of thought, a term which summarizes an aspect of historical ideology. I won't elaborate too much on the lecture, but understand that an ideograph is something (text, visual, spoken word) that triggers emotions and thought.  

This evening, I was reading a chapter in "American Government: Continuity and Change," when I came across a section: The Huntington Theory of Hispanization. Previously the text had noted that the Hispanic population is the fastest growing and the largest minority population. 

The Huntington Theory intrigued me, considering that immigration has become a predominant focus of current politics.  According to the text, Huntington has proclaimed a highly controversial thesis regarding the recent wave of Latin American immigration. 

Huntington uses "ideographs" to project his thesis. He believes that these immigrants want to "reclaim" lands that were lost after the Texas war for independence and the Mexican-American War. Hence, he argues that this immigration wave is "fostering a type of dual national or cultural allegiance (or worse, loyalty to the home country) which can weaken ties to American core values." 

Huntington's Theory argues that these recent immigrants have formed enclaves that allow them to escape assimilation and avoid learning our language, history, political values. He believes that this will erode social and political bonds between citizens. 

Huntington is making a bold, controversial statement against a rising U.S. population, and he uses ideographs to reach his audience. 

Huntington agrees that the American melting pot has been historically successful due to new Americans' ability to absorb the "Fundamental Political Principles" as their own: these being equality, individual rights, and government by consent.   

 Fundamental Political Principles--sounds like another ideograph to help reinforce his argument.  I am curious if you all agree... does this new wave of immigration threaten or disturb equality, individual rights, or government by consent?

Anyway, I just thought it was interesting to see the use of ideographs in action. According to the text, Huntington's theory remains controversial. I assume some skeptics have seen his ideographs as empty, while others have effectively connected with Huntington's words. 

It will be interesting to see how our nation continues to react to this growing wave of immigration.  I am certain we will see more ideographs.