Madeline Albright: "Bouncing Effect"

Former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright promoted her new book  “Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership," on the Daily Show this week. As she pointed out, "She knows where people get their news"--hinting to the influence that the Daily Show has on our society. She also made several great points, which I see as related to the concepts of new media and globalization. She discussed the importance of managing a diplomatic, or social, message worldwide. While we accept the Oscars or the coverage of Senator McCain and the lobbyist scandal, as a message targeted to an American audience, the truth is that these messages are "echoed" throughout many societies; thus, they help shape other individuals' view on our country. 

Albright talks about the "bouncing effect of diplomacy". It is imperative that we are aware of this concept. In my opinion, the use of new media (internet) has increased the importance of this concept. According to Albright, we as Americans must be educated and aware when a term such as "islamic terrorists" is applied to our discourse. Ignorant generalizations such as this allow other nations to mold a disappointing opinion of Americans. 

As new media encourages the bouncing effect and may cause our messages to be misconstrued or misunderstood, we can also use this technology to our advantage. We can embrace the internet and educate ourselves on other cultures and current foreign politics; thus, we can slowly start to improve our international appearance. 

Even though leadership and diplomatic messages depend on our "President elect", we as individuals can engage in civic responsibility and help jump-start awareness. American values and messages certainly have been misrepresented in the world. 

View this website to watch the 2nd half of the Daily Show: 

http://www.eveningtalk.com/2008/02/27/madeline-albright-on-the-daily-show/

Just a little side-note...

Still unsure of who I am supporting, let's play devils-advocate. 

I feel that Hillary Clinton is faced with a unique challenge.  As a male, Barack Obama, is praised for his youthful appearance. He is relatable and knows how to excite a crowd. However, he doesn't have the track record or the "credentials" of Hilary Clinton. 

I wonder, if Senator Clinton had ran for president in her mid-forties, with much weaker credentials, if the public would be as responsive to a young, less qualified woman. 

I think our nation would have been shocked.  

As mentioned in class, being relatable and connected to the common man is an important characteristic; however, I feel experience plays an important role in running a country.  

In conclusion, I think Senator Clinton has faced a unique political challenge throughout her career. I don't think she would be as viable today if she didn't have her experience. 

Perhaps society expects a women to prove herself in office before attempting to change history. I just wonder if this is expected of both men and women. Would this be as exciting of a race if Obama and Clinton switched genders? 

This race is certainly a great topic for discussion! 

Knowing the World

"Clearly to become a true leader, one must know the world as well as one knows one's self...Innovative learning is the primary means of exercising our autonomy, a means of understanding and working within the prevailing context in a positive way. It is a dialogue that begins with curiosity and is fueled by knowledge, leading to understanding...It allows us to change the way things are," a quote from Warren Bennis in "On Becoming a Leader" chapter Knowing the World. 

Although Bennis' text focuses on leadership, I found a connection between our class reading, "Popular Media, Political Cognition, and Civic Engagement: A Media Studies Perspective," written by Jeffrey P. Jones. It is obvious that in order to understand, we as individuals must be curious, we must take an initiative to learn more about subjects we know little about. 

A quote from Jones, "Whether we like it or not, in order to engage in the political debate we must now do so with media." Yes our civic engagement has taken a new turn; politicians are now using New Media (internet) partnered with old grassroots efforts on the campaign trail.  And the "News" has certainly become a window into the unknown political arena.  

Whether you are viewing numerous television sources or internet sources, media has created an opportunity to engage. In the very least, it has created an opportunity to learn. It educates those who are political enthusiasts via CNN, ABC, NBC, FOX, and it allows those less interested to learn through more entertaining media: The American President, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. 

Some argue that entertainment detracts from responsible citizenship; I believe that entertainment allows those uninterested, to at least learn a little. 

Traditional and New Media open a dialogue for the curious and allow individuals to better understand our own political arena, and the world's political arena. Ultimately, this technology has generated an opportunity for discussion and possible change. It can cross oceans and enlighten our society about other cultures. Even if you are unable to travel--you still have the world at your fingertips.   

As a broadcast journalist major, I am eager to join the industry that continues to engage and educate the public. 

Super Bowl Helps Prepare for Super Tuesday

I was shocked when I saw a political advertisement for Barack Obama, on Super Bowl Sunday. To my knowledge, this is a move that was  unmatched by his competitor Hillary Clinton.  

I have never actually seen a political ad on television before, yes we have analyzed them in class, checked out the popular ones on YouTube, but this was a first. I have never truly been included in the target audience. I think this is one thing that Obama has done well, reached out to a younger, refreshing support base. 

The advertisement contrasted images of war and environment. Simplistic words were bolded and reinforced Obama's verbal message, an over arching campaign theme, "Yes we can, change!"  

Additionally, the "super-bowl" ish music and crowds (packed and cheering) certainly give the ad a momentum...one that should positively carry Obama into Super Tuesday. I think this was a strategic campaign move.

I am impressed that the campaign was able to successfully create an ad to match the "Super Bowl" hype. I'm pumped to see how Super Tuesday will play out...I know that the newtworks have been talking about it for several days now! 

This just proves that campaigning is a strategic, thoughtful process. One must position him/herself very carefully in the public's view. 

Ad can be viewed @ 

http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/27930-obama-s-super-bowl-ad