(picture from Yahoo!)
Nov 4, 2008 will be marked as one of the most important dates in American history as Barack Hussein Obama, 47, becomes the first African-American President in the history of the country, in a landslide victory over Republican rival John McCain, a Vietnamese war veteran. The victory has already been predicted, but still it’s a historic win not only due to Obama’s background (Kenyan-born father) but also the issues revolving his relationship with terrorist and a socialist tag from his rival as results of his economic plan.
I was not particularly interested in politics, not to mention politics in United States. But somehow late last year, the United States politics caught my eye through the race of Presidential Nomination in Democrat. Well, I hadn’t heard Obama’s name before, not until his sudden rise in popularity in the tight race against Hillary Clinton whom I know better and whom I think, is one of the most powerful and smart women in the world. As I have a habit of going to Yahoo! portal to access email, I accidentally got interested in US Election after the Democrat race had always been the headline in Yahoo! homepage. When Obama scored victory over the former first lady, the headline became more often.
To me personally, some notes I’ve taken from this election result :
1. Change will always be a “popular” theme to attract voters for first time runner. The word “Change” is used by Obama in his campaign, both in face to face against Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Against the two, this powerful word lifts him to victory. The theme is effective, but Clinton and McCain, to their advantage, can’t make use of this word in their campaign. Not when Clinton is a former first lady who is associated with the past power (although Bill Clinton didn’t perform as bad as George Bush), and McCain is a Republican candidate, the same party as the unpopular President Bush. Need to note that the theme “Change” has also brought SBY to President seat in 2004 election. Sadly, this theme can only be used once. Obama can’t use it in four years time if he’s running the election again, and SBY also can’t use it in next year election.
2. Majority people consider “economy” far more important than other issues such as security or patriotism. At the end of the day, it’s the economy that matters. People care much about economy ahead of patriotism, security, etc. If economy is secure, then they will consider security and other issues. That’s the reason behind the re-election of Bush in 2004 (thanks to terrorist issue). The bad shape of economy under Bush has driven people to ditch McCain who is perceived as having the same economy policy (although it might not be true) and instead vote for Obama, even though Obama is rumoured to have close relationship with terrorist. Thus, in order to get re-elected, the running President needs to emphasize on economic issue. If there’s significant improvement in economy, it’s likely that people will vote him again. If economy is okay, you can try other issues. If economy is in deep shit, don’t bother to run for re-election! 😀 That’s why, up till this moment, there’re still people saying that it was better in former President Soeharto’s regime than current condition. People seems to forget all the corruption, collution and nepotism that’s because they think under Soeharto’s era, life was easier.. life was better. Singapore is another perfect example. “No freedom of speech, no this, no that, Lee Kuan Yew’s clan power ? No problem, as long as the economy is in great shape” (quoted from my singaporean relative).
3. Socialism still have place in people’s heart, even in the most advanced countries like United States, moreover in bad times. Despite gung-ho attack from McCain on Obama’s economic policy to cut taxes for medium – low income earner and raise taxes at the same time, and label of “socialist who spreads the wealth”, Obama still take it. To some extent, the attack from McCain’s side is somewhat exaggerating, I think Obama’s policy is indeed some sort of socialism idea, although not that extreme. But perhaps this is just a minor hypothesis, still to be proven though.
4. Instead of attacking your rival’s idea, it’s better to come up with your own idea and plan and defend it. I think this is the most crucial point which leads Obama to his journey in becoming 44th President of the United States. McCain didn’t show his idea and plan. All he did was just to attack and attack Obama’s idea.
I’m not an election strategist nor consultant, but perhaps politicians who will compete in next year election might find this article useful ? hahahaha… :p
Hendro Santoso's Hut 