This election is not about the issues

aps · 09-04-08, 05:28 AM

According to Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, it's about personalities. Wow. Our economy isn't going well, we have spent billions and billions of dollars, and the people don't care about the issues? I repeat: WOW.

I don't know why he's so confident about this--McCain comes off like a complete hot head and elite jerk, IMHO.

Quote:

Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.

"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."

McCain Manager: 'This Election is Not About Issues' - The Fix

P/N · 09-04-08, 07:37 AM

It's almost always about personalities. 5 of our last 7 elections have been about personalities (with the exceptions being 1984 and 1996), not about substance. Reagan won over the country in 1980, and I don't think we've had a President in my lifetime with more personality than Regan. Bush 41 didn't win on personality and Bush 43 didn't win on personality either, but look at the personalities of the people they ran against - all duds. Clinton won in 1992 on personality because Bush 41 was a dud. The only two elections in the last 7 that weren't about personality were re-electing the incumbent because things were going so well.

I don't see this year being any different since we don't have an incumbent running this time. Obama is out in front in the polls not because of his substance, but because of his personality. Personality goes a long way in the eyes of the uninformed voter, and God knows this country has far too many uninformed voters - on both sides. The liberals are most certainly going to vote for the D candidate and the conservatives are most certainly going to vote for the R candidate (as tough as it will be this year). The winner is typically decided by who impresses the undecided voters the best or by those "on the fence" when they walk into the voting booth. Those on the fence are not likely to make national security, the economy or some other issue their "decision maker" or they would have already chosen a candidate, they are going to vote for who they like more based on their personality. I think Rick Davis is spot on in his statement you quoted.

aps · 09-04-08, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P/N

It's almost always about personalities. 5 of our last 7 elections have been about personalities (with the exceptions being 1984 and 1996), not about substance. Reagan won over the country in 1980, and I don't think we've had a President in my lifetime with more personality than Regan. Bush 41 didn't win on personality and Bush 43 didn't win on personality either, but look at the personalities of the people they ran against - all duds. Clinton won in 1992 on personality because Bush 41 was a dud. The only two elections in the last 7 that weren't about personality were re-electing the incumbent because things were going so well.

I don't see this year being any different since we don't have an incumbent running this time. Obama is out in front in the polls not because of his substance, but because of his personality. Personality goes a long way in the eyes of the uninformed voter, and God knows this country has far too many uninformed voters - on both sides. The liberals are most certainly going to vote for the D candidate and the conservatives are most certainly going to vote for the R candidate (as tough as it will be this year). The winner is typically decided by who impresses the undecided voters the best or by those "on the fence" when they walk into the voting booth. Those on the fence are not likely to make national security, the economy or some other issue their "decision maker" or they would have already chosen a candidate, they are going to vote for who they like more based on their personality. I think Rick Davis is spot on in his statement you quoted.

Very good points, P/N!

PeteEU · 09-04-08, 09:21 AM

I actually agree with P/N on this one..

American elections have always been for the most part about personalities and vision.

Which of course sucks for McCain as he has no vision and his personality is near Bob Dole standards.

American · 09-04-08, 09:25 AM

McCain has Biden to balance things out.

P/N · 09-04-08, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteEU

I actually agree with P/N on this one..

American elections have always been for the most part about personalities and vision.

Which of course sucks for McCain as he has no vision and his personality is near Bob Dole standards.

And Obama is an empty suit. We lose no matter who wins.

aps · 09-04-08, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P/N

And Obama is an empty suit. We lose no matter who wins.

Ahhh, we disagree. I win if Obama wins.

Erod · 09-04-08, 10:37 AM

If this were about issues, Obama would be someone's press secretary. He wouldn't even have run.