For many, this Tuesday will mark a momentous, highly anticipated day, but election followers have begun to realize that the absence of the around-the-clock focus on the election may leave a serious void in their lives (including me). Last evening, after watching this video, I began to question myself when I realized that I had been on weather.com the same day to check Tuesday’s forecast in Ohio, Virgina, Missouri, and other swing states. This CNN video refers to the phenomenon (half-joking, half-serious) of election obsession.
Take a look: Election Obsession
Questions:
1. Why do you think this particular presidential election has caused people to be obsessed in the way the CNN video describes?
2. Are you one of the individuals depicted in the video? How will you feel after Tuesday?
***NOTE: The next post (#9) will be an ongoing dialogue on election night for you to respond to events as they unfold. I encourage you to check and respond to posts that evening to get updated information and to see/share responses with your peers. Post #10 will occur one week after election night.
This particular election has caused people to be so obsessed since people feel that the outcome will make such a difference in their lives and because this election is so different from all other elections in the past.
We are in the middle of multiple crises, which everyone has a different opinion on:
The war in Iraq: Should we stay indefinitely? Should we pull out all our troops immediately? Should we pull out all our troops gradually? Some of our troops?
The economic crisis: How should we deal with it? How can we create more jobs?
The environment: Is there such a thing as Global Warming? Should we drill off shore? Should we drill in wildlife preserves? How much should we spend on alternative energy?
We have been under such controversial leadership for the past eight years, and everyone is excited to see if we will be lifted out of the mess we are in, stay the same, or if our situation could possibly get worse.
Never before has any major party entered an African American as their candidate, so this election is already making history, no matter the outcome. I think many people are obsessed with this election if only to feel like they were a part of history.
I definitely wouldn’t call myself obsessed with the election, or like anyone in the video. I am very interested in the election; I read the newspaper every morning and talk about it with my friends. But when the election is over, I’ll be content reading other news, following what is going on in the government, and doing all my homework. My teachers don’t leave me much time to be obsessed with anything.
I think that this Presidential election has caused a lot of people to be obsessed is that there are a lot of people that think this will be one of the most important Presidential Elections of their lives. The stock market is down, unemployment rate is up, until recently gas prices have been at an all time high, the war on terror, interest in public health care, and a there will be either an African American as President or women as Vice President. This election has been entertaining.
I would not say that I am obsessed with this election in any way that the people in the video are, but I will miss the SNL skits every Thursday and Saturday night. It will take the media a few weeks to come up with interesting stories after the election takes place, so I expect there to still be newsworthy material about this election for at least another one to two weeks.
I agree with the previous post in that no matter which candidate is elected history will be made, which is always interesting. On November 4th voters will be choosing either an African-American president or a female vice president for the first time ever. I also agree that after 8 years with the majority of the population unhappy with their current leader, many people are very excited for change that will come with this next election. As discussed in previous posts people want to see how the next president will help guide them through wartime and hopefully turn around America’s declining economy. Everyone is closely following the election to see exactly what each candidate will do to better their situation, and should a candidate falter for a moment then the voter will have an easier time putting their trust in the other candidate.
Also, the media has provided complete coverage on every candidate’s action, which has taken over the newspapers and television, making political stories almost impossible to avoid. I also believe a part of the reason this election is so popular is because younger generations are seemingly becoming more interested in the election. The entertainment aspect of this election has been shown to heavily impact voters decisions and really appeal to new voters. With shows like Saturday Night Live and their Sarah Palin sketches, or MAD TV and their political sketches the election has provided an easy and entertaining way for American population to keep up with what’s going on. Even if shows like SNL Weekend Update are the main source of information for kids, it is still a step toward engaging youth participation in the election. The youth are showing increasing interest in the election with everything from quoting these shows to dressing up as Sarah Palin, John McCain, and Barack Obama for halloween (Joe Biden was not quite as popular a choice).
I am a lot more interested in this election than I was in the last one, both because I can follow what is going on at this age and because it is interesting and almost impossible to imagine how each candidate will sort through this country’s mess. I believe that the election is only the beginning of America’s obsessive interest in the country’s future, and after Tuesday America’s focus will shift from what each candidate says they will do to what they begin to do, with the same amount of media coverage.
I think that this election has caused people to become obsessed because as the video stated, “the stakes are high”. Regardless of which party wins, it will be historic. America will either have its first black president or its first female vice president. Also, the two candidates espouse such different things that if you are a strong believer of one of the ideals you will be constantly fighting for it and seeing how it’s doing in other states.
I am not one of those people depicted in the video. However, everytime I open my computer I’m inundated with campaign information. I can’t even turn on my tv without seeing an ad of some sort, approved by the candidate or not. Not to mention the countless phone calls we get at my house. Whether or not you are obsessed, which I am not, after Tuesday everyone’s going to feel a little strange, maybe even empty.
As stated in the past 2 posts, it is easy to see that this election is key in our future. So many issues taking place in and out of the country are in need of lifting up. We need to turn the economy around. We need to decide whether offshore drilling is acceptable. We need to figure out what to do with all of the troops in Iraq. All of these concerns will soon be handled by a completely new face. Bush will no longer be handling these issues as he has done for the past 8 YEARS. Eight years is a very long time. People are dying to see what McCain or Obama can do to change our standings right now. People want to feel a part of this change. By taking part in campaigning or simply reading up on the presidential candidates issues, they know that this election will go down in history as one of the most impacting elections. With the first African American candidate for president or woman in the vice presidential seat, no matter who wins, there will be some changes around here. People want to be able to say they impacted the result that is made.
As said before, it is almost impossible to avoid politics now-a-days. Whether the radio telling you to get out and vote, the internet showing you videos and advertisements, the newspaper telling you about daily issues in the election or the television shows filled with ads and updates, politics never leave anyones side. People have become obsessed either because they want to make a difference in this one of a life time elections or because the media hasn’t given them a chance NOT to be obsessed.
I am definitely not one of the people that was depicted in the video. I can say that I have most definitely become more interested in this election then ever before though. Whether it’s the class I’m taking or that I’m mature enough to understand what’s going on, either way, I have never been this involved in politics. I don’t search every newspaper and I don’t go on every political website for updates, but I would say I’m more on top of it then some. After Tuesday the ways that I’ll stay involved would be by seeing what we do in class and bringing it home with me. Other than that, I cannot say exactly what will happen.
I think this election has caused people to become obsessed for two reasons. The first is that they are tired of watching our country deteorate over the past 4 to 8 years. We’ve seen a presidency which has engaged us in an unpopular war and has not been proactive during events such as Hurricane Katrina. Over the past year, we’ve seen gas prices go sky high and then drop drastically as the economy falls into a recession. Basically, Americans are tired of having to deal with bad news after bad news and they want change. To some, it doesn’t matter if it comes from a Democrat or a Republican, all that matters is that it comes soon.
The second reason I feel people have become so obsessed is because there is no way to hide from this election. It is the basis of most news stations and covered all over the internet. You can’t even watch a show in primetime without it being interrupted by a debate, an advertisement, or even an Obama-infomericial. According to Newsweek, this obsession is even prevalent overseas where polls show record-high interest in the U.S Election. The media is controlling this election and it’s hard to avoid it so people just watch, then they develop and interest, and then because there’s nothing else to watch they become obsessesed.
I’m very interested in this election, but I don’t think I am as obsessed as the individuals featured in the video. I’ve found election coverage to be very entertaining and enlightening, but after the past six months, its beginning to become more of the same. It’s one big guessing game as to who is going to win and I don’t think I can listen to one more pundent break down the electoral collage. There’s no way of knowing. We have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday.
The way I feel on Tuesday will depend on who wins. No matter what, I’ll feel some form of relief knowing that the worst of the campaigning is over. Of course, the voting analysis and other Election Day stories will carry on for a week or so, but after that I can go back to turning on the news and not hearing about Palin, Obama, or McCain every five minutes. Following the election will be a part of my life that’s missing but it will also be the beginning in a whole new time for the country and I think that may be even more exciting to watch unfold.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/166910
I think that so many people are obsessed with this election because it makes them feel they are a part of something historic, and also because they have so much access to information. There are always major issues facing voters for every election, and this election is no different than that. However, in previous elections no one was obsessed as they are today. It may be because people feel very strongly about a particular candidate. Also people have access to information that they never had before. This enable people to devote chunks of their lives to the election because there is so much to read, and watch, and learn about the candidates.
I would have to say that I am slightly election obsessed. I will be relieved when its over however. I’m getting a little sick of repeatedly hearing the same things over and over again about the candidates, and I just want to know the outcome of the election.
I think people are so obsessed with the election this time because people are dying for change because of the multiple failures of the bush administration. In this election, the results are definetly going to affect everyday people’s lives. For example, If Obama wins, the wealthier are going to have tax increases. Also, I think that this election is historic since there will be a first in history no matter which candidate wins. If Obama wins there will be an African American in the white house and if Mccain wins then there will be a woman in the white house.
Also, I believe information on both the candidates is so accessible this election as they said in the video that it is easier to become passionate about a candidate because you can learn more about them. If you want to check the polls every two minutes this election you can and if you want to learn about every aspect of Obama or McCain’s life you can as well. All they talk about on the news is the election too, you can not escape it! I am curious to see after the election what happened in the world recently because I feel that I’ve been missing a lot of news because of the election!
I will be greatly relieved when the election is over. At first I used to watch the news regularly to find out about the candidates but when the campaigns became so negative it became hard for me to watch the news.
I think that people gained a huge interest in this election because it is bound to make history. If Obama is elected, we will have the nation’s first black President and our country could be seeing a lot of “change.” If McCain is elected President, then we will be seeing the nation’s first woman Vice President, Sarah Palin.
While this is the reason people became interested in the election, I think that people ahve become obsessed with the election because of how easy it is to get information and how muhc information is out there. Like it said in the video, you can check the poll updates from every state every single hour. Many people feel the need to stay informed and want to play a role in the election so they continue checking all the sources of information possible so that they are a part of this huge time in our nation’s history.
In the past, this level of obsession would not be possible, but because of such great strides in technology, all the information anyone could need is at every American’s fingerprints. One woman compared her checking of polls and any election information to the way a bookee in Las Vegas watches a sports game. I think that this shows how intensely some people in the country are following the election and how obsessed they may be.
I myself am not obsessed with the election. While I do follow it, I check the polls every once in a while and mostly rely stories of the election given to me by the evening news. I follow it because I think it is important to know what is going on and am interested in knowing what many happen come election day. However, I am not obsessed because I know that there is no point in checking the polls 10 times a day will not change the outcome of the election.
After tuesday, I wil feel either happy or upset. If Obama is elected, I will feel happy and confident in our country’s future. If McCain is elected, I will be upset that the candidate who I wanted to win was not elected.
I think that people have become so obsessed with this election because of the candidates running, and the issues that are of deepest concern to Americans today.
For the issues, many people are watching (very closely) for the economic plans of Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin, because our economy and the world’s economy are faltering right now. People want to know where their money is going and if we will ever be out of the crisis. Another popular issue is the war in Iraq, with people wanting more troops, less troops, and many other things. Everything these candidates say they will do is going to decide how people vote.
Another reason for the obsession is that idea that we could have the first black president or the first women vice president. This is a historical election not just for our country, but also around the world.
For myself, I don’t believe I am “obsessed” but rather interested to an extent as to what is going on. I don’t watch the TV for new updates on the Presidents new ideas, but I do maybe 3 times a day check Google news (which has both liberal and conservative news feeds), to see any new poll changes or outrages claims, such as “Obama is a terrorist.” I do find this election very important for our country, and hope that all citizens of our country know something about our candidates, so that a president that we the people actually want will be in the White House.
After Tuesday, like many others, will either be happy or upset. I will be very happy if Obama win’s because this country NEEDS change and can’t continue to have this country fall apart and go down in the gutters. I will be really upset and probably angry if McCain wins, because we get, in my opinion, a “War Hawk”, in the White House. Also I strongly believe that McCain isn’t healthy enough to sustain this job, and would hate to have Sarah Palin as president. I think she is a great GOVERNOR, but she has NO experience in our nation’s government as a whole.
This election is enticing not only because it is, and will be, historic, but because for the first time in over 20 years, the American public, at large, is actually interested. The times are politicized – my parents and friends’ parents can’t remember a time since the 60’s that so many people cared about what actually happened in politics. This makes a profound difference: we eat, drink, dream, and breath of politics.
As for myself, I certainly am obsessed. I don’t vilify McCain as much as some of my cohorts here do, but I do have serious problems with the way his campaign has turned. I also see Sarah Palin as a national embarrassment. This election can, and will, change the world. I didn’t think it was possible for President Bush to be reelected in 2004. He was. The world’s view of the American people was severely damaged as a result. So every time I check the polls (once, twice, seven times a day) I remember that there is more at stake here than just the thoughts of just a few Americans.
We’re seeing, now, a rising. The people of America are reclaiming their country for the world.
It all began during the primaries when Obama and Clinton were running against each other to win the 2008 Presidential Nominations for the Democratic Party. The attention they were receiving was overwhelming since they both were factors of change. We were seeing an African American nominee and a female nominee running for the highest position in the United States of America. Both characteristics of a person had never run before. The attention only grew from that instant for this election. This is not the only new experience; we are also seeing a female nomination on the ballot for vice president from the Republican Party for the first time ever. However, this election has also drawn so much attention because of the key issues that need to be reevaluated and/or taken care of; war in Iraq, the economic crisis, the job market, offshore drilling, etc. Nevertheless, I think this election has also become obsessed over because we have the ability to obsess. We have the internet, television, newspapers, magazines, polls, advertisements, t-shirts, signs, pins, etc (so many resources); everything anyone will ever need to become obsessed with, we have those tools. This election is also broadcasted everywhere, you cannot ignore it; therefore we join it and obsess.
Although it seems most people have been hooked by this election, I am not one of these people. I am similar to ilovejoebros. I have never been this interested in an election before, but that is probably due to the classes I am enrolled in, how it will actually effect me, and/or how I have matured and come of age. Also, it could be how I am bitter that I miss voting by two days. Nevertheless, I think my feelings will continue to be neutral. Yet, I cannot help but wonder if the next president agenda and movements will be as widely broadcast as the election or if politics will quiet down.
I think that there are a lot of reasons that people have gotten hooked on this election.
One, is the difference in candidates. So many people are so excited for Barack Obama because so many people feel that they can relate to him, he’s been a member of the lower class, he’s a minority, and these qualities have been the reason for so many more people getting involved in this election.
Also, another big thing with this election is the passion of people. In general what I’ve heard from people is that they either are diehard Obama lovers, diehard McCain lovers, or (not that many people feel this way) don’t like either. I don’t think that we’ve had an election when so many people are so passionate about their candidates, and that has definitely triggered a desire for more knowledge about those candidates.
Because swing voters could play a big part in this election, I think that everyone is trying to put out as much information as possible to try and sway the swing voters. People may see that most of their county is voting one way, and they may decide the same thing too. This isn’t necessarily as solid as my other ideas, but I think it could have some validity.
Now this doesn’t have to do so much with all of the gadgets and statistics that have come with this election, but I think that there is another sort of big reason that so many people are following this election, and that is to see people mess up. This would pertain more to people who are just looking for a show, but I think that there are definitely people out there watching the news and speeches all of the time to see if Sarah Palin is going to talk about Joe Six pack, or tell us that Obama thinks terrorists are good guys, or hear McCain accidently tell us that he agrees with the negative comments Obama supporters have said about Western Pennsylvania. To a lot of people this is just a circus or a show, and their waiting to see what the next major slip up will be.
Personally I don’t think I’m one of those people who will be in some sort of withdrawl after Tuesday. I’m definitely a fan of Obama and I have my Obama pin, but I’m not going around with a blow up Obama Biden Eagle in my front yard. My feelings for after Tuesday will definitley be revolving around what the results are. If McCain is elected, I wouldn’t mind moving to Australia or Canada though.
I agree that this election has gotten people addict to it because this election is historical for America. For the first time there will be either a woman vice president or an African America president. I think that because this election is so significant it many people want to get involved and know all the facts about the change that will hopefully come about after this election. Another reason is because this election has two very different candidates, a typical white older male and a new fresh young African American. Both candidates, but especially, Obama is able to bring in new demographics for the voter turnouts and for the interest in politics. Obama is bringing in a lot of young people and McCain is able to bring in many conservative people with Palin as his VP. With new demographics being targeted, this has caused more people to want to get involved and make a difference.
Anther reason why this election has many people obsessed is because for the past 8 years our government has began to go under and after this horrible economic crisis, many people think that whoever is the next President will hopefully do whatever they can to get us out of this horrible crisis and back to a comfortable financial country how we were 8 years ago. Whoever becomes President will also be a change from 8 years of the Bush administration and hopefully be able to help the country more than Bush did.
I think this election in particular has caused people to become obsessed because of things like the “Magic Wall” on CNN. The anchor mentioned how CNN didn’t have this “wall” four years ago, and I think it represents the larger trend toward an even more ADD kind of 24-hour news cycle. While it’s great that so many people are invested in such a historical election (and I think its historical significance is part of the reason why everyone is so obsessed), I don’t think there was any reason to be constantly checking poll numbers. Tomorrow, however, is the time people should be reading the news constantly, checking the polls constantly. But for the last TWO YEARS we’ve been following this election; is no one else bored with it? Of course we all should have been following the numbers and the electoral maps, but certainly not to the point of obsession. As the reporters on CNN said, we do not have control over the outcome of the election. Read a newspaper, vote, be aware. I just don’t see the benefit of constant news and reporting.
I’m not “obsessed” with the election, but I have kept up with it. Around the time of DNC and RNC, I was definitely one of the people in this video, watching hours of CNN every day. After a while, though, I realized the pundits and the anchors and the reporters weren’t really saying anything new; it’s impossible to fill this 24-hour news cycle.
I will be glad after tomorrow is over. Finally, we can move on from the seemingly endless back-and-forth attacks and campaign slogans. I hope I never have to hear about “Joe the Plumber” ever again. I feel like we can finally move on to what’s really important: the direction in which our country will move in the next four years. We can get excited about solving our problems with new policy, about how to get out of Iraq and how to improve the economy, not just with campaign promises, but with real, tangible reform. We’ll no longer have to listen to the candidates argue about issues; we’ll get to see legislation put into action. Finally.
The election is unique and has caused a lot of excitement because I think that overall, it has an interesting story-line compared to past elections. The Democratic primaries initially caused a lot of election excitement because it was a first time that a woman or an African American was a major contestant for the Democratic candidacy. Also, both Obama and McCain, have interesting life stories, Obama being raised by a single mother and by his grandmother, and McCain being P.O.W in Vietnam. I also think that overall, the unfolding of the election has been interesting. By choosing Palin as his VP candidate, McCain created a huge media frenzy. The current economic crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also have many people worried about who we are letting lead our country.
Last night at about 10:00 I was sitting at home after a bombardment of calls from what seemed like every candidate running for every office in the entire country asking for my parents’ votes. It was at this time that I thought, Thank god this is almost over! I mean, who’s really going to miss all of this. After 2 years of campaigning, I think America started to forget just what these people were campaigning for. There was probably a time when people dreamed of being President, but who in their right mind would want to be President in this day in age? The pride and seriousness of the American Presidency has been reduced to a mockery by the media and prime-time favorites John Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
Now, I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy ANY of it. Hillary’s tear filled eyes, Palin’s Katie Couric interview, and the famous Joe the Plumber (did he ever get his plumbing license?) are just some of the things that have made this election like no other before it. I think everyone has something that he or she will miss, but tomorrow, when it’s all said and done, I know I’ll just be happy that America, regardless of who wins, will be heading in a new direction.
I completely agree with what the CNN video is saying. People are so obsessed with this election because, like in most elections, many people feel very strongly about who they are voting for. Because of this, they feel that they need to be in control, and the only way to feel like that is to follow the speaches, candidates, and polls closely. The new technology isn’t helping these obsessions either. Knowing that poll results are constantly changing is nerve wracking to some people. They feel like they are missing something if they don’t check constantly.
Another reason that people are getting so obsessed this year is because of the uniqueness of this election. History will be broken whether Obama or McCain wins, and I believe that is scary to some people. America is also panic stricken because of the failing economyand the war in Iraq, which makes Americans nervous for the decisions to come.
I personally am not obsessed with this election. Maybe if I were 18 I would be, but I truely hope i never become addicted to checking poll websites every hour of every day. I will be relieved when this election is over because then we can start making some real progress and damage control in the United States, and I believe that is true for which ever candidate is elected. Also, We’ll all stop having to watch those horrible campaign ads on TV.
I will have to agree with all of the above comments. This election has come at the time where our country is at its worst. After the Republican party and George W. Bush have been in the White House for 8 years, people want and need someone new or else chaos would ensue. This is such a major election because we have Barack Obama, an African American, who has a good chance of winning the Presidency, and Sarah Palin, a woman, who has a good chance of winning the Vice-Presidency. After all these years of white males dominating the White House and party nominations, this is something very new. I’m extremely excited to see the results of the election and what the new President will be able to do once he is inagurated. This will definitely be a big change, whoever gets nominated hopefully can bring this country back on its feet.
I will have to say that I will not miss the election at all. Everyday there is so much “campaign buzz” that it’s time for it to be all over. The ads will be finished and the phone calls will stop and the signs will be taken down. FINALLY! I’m not saying that I don’t care about the election at all, because I do, but it’s just about time for it stop. I’m glad to have been at an age for this election where I can embrace how our country is changing with who its nominees for President/Vice President are. In the 2000 and 2004 election, I was only 10 and 14 years old. At 14 I think I understood what was going on, but I really didn’t relate to the election at all because I didn’t have any reason to. Although I cannot vote in this election, I’m excited for my friends to be able to vote. I think voting is such an extreme power and right and it should be excersied by all who are eligible to vote. I will be able to vote in the 2012 election and maybe by that time I will be even more immersed in politics because then I will have to make a decision. I wonder who will be up for nomination in that election! Who knows!
i mean its already been made clear why this election is so popular. there are so many things at stake, and either way it goes, history is going to be made. also, barack obama has definitely energized the youth and the media and sarah palin has livened up late night television. both sides have a lot to gain and to lose. if the democrats win, the government will be realigned, and they also have four more years of republican and to some extent, bush policies to deal with. the republicans have a lot to lose considering the democrats are a majority in the congress right now. also adding on the stakes, we are in a giant economic crisis, and while it is in the economy’s shadow right, the war in iraq and gas prices are still very important issues that the next president will have to deal with.
while i’m nervous and pay a decent amount of attention to the election, i dont really find there is much reason to obsess over it. i guess in the modern day, there are just a whole lot of media junkies who will obsess over this election, but it is a rather unhealthy thing to do. i think the congressional races are more important, considering as how congress members are the ones to actually be creating laws and this might be the year democrats can claim the filibuster proof 60 seats in the senate , but obviously the whole nation can’t gather round the computer or the tv set and watch one congressional race.
I’m not obssessed with the election, because, well basically, i have a life. But people have been following this election since Obama was running against Clinton for the spot on the ticket. Either of those candidates would be making history, so everyone followed that, which led up to Obama wining the ticket, making people then follow Obama vs. McCain, in an epic battle! With each side also making history, our first African American President, our first Woman vice president, and like our oldest president. Also since everyone seems to complain about GWB and the republican party, republicans and random democrats who feel like it want to see if McCain is like GWB, and if he really is a lot like GWB, then he’s not going to win. Also since Obama is young , people wonder if he has enough experience. So if people are really strong supporters of one candidate, they see a lot of problems with the other candidate. So this election is being followed a lot more than other election because of the “high stakes” and such differences in the candidates.
I have to say that I think my obsession with the election is almost as strong as the people in the video. I feel like I will have no life when the election is over. The election seasons started with the presidential candidates’ announcements my sophomore year, and now as a senior, I’m finally going to have a new president to call my own. As previous posts have stated I think one of the reasons this election has garnered this much attention is that people are completely dissatisfied with the current administration and want change. They are tired of eight years of failed foreign and economic policies. With all of the media attention on this election, I sometimes forget that we have a (lame duck) president already in office.
I think this election has connected with people on a very personal level. The American people love drama (as evidenced by their obsession with reality TV). This whole election has been one giant soap opera. From Ron Paul’s million dollar internet fundraising, to Mike Huckabee’s consumption of squirrel, to Dennis Kucinich’s UFO antics, this election has been a fascinating human case study.
I think Americans have been obsessed with this election because the candidates themselves are very unique. Barack Obama could be the first black president. His rags to riches story has inspired millions. Sarah Palin is not only the first female vice presidential candidate on a GOP ticket but is also from Alaska, a state most Americans are unfamiliar with. I do not know what I will do with myself on November 5th. Well, it’s never too early to prepare for midterm elections.
People are obsessed with this year’s election because the circumstances are unprecedented. First of all, it is historic in nature, no matter who wins. America could have its first African American president or its first female vice president. The next president could be one of the youngest, or one of the oldest. Also, this election, we are selecting a president to follow George Bush, who has had some of the lowest approval ratings ever. We are in a time of crisis: our economy is in shambles, we are part of a much-contested war, etc. Lastly, the election has become incredibly easy to follow due to the nature of today’s media. With devices like Twitter, Youtube and Facebook, we are truly in a new age of information. In this time of communication, Americans are constantly and incessantly inundated with election news. This makes it hard not to become obsessed. However, while I am deeply interested in the election and following the two candidates’ campaign updates whole-heartedly, I don’t think I am obsessed to the extent of the people highlighted in CNN’s video.
I’ve said it before and I still am in the mindset that the NEXT presidential election (mean after this one) will be the most important presidential election of modern American history. Between global nuclear tensions and a worldwide economic slump, we haven’t seen the worse yet. This is partially why I see this election as big as it is; it’s almost a precursor to the future that is waiting for the whole world soon. We are entering a very interesting (for a lack of a better word) era in the world: China is a rising superpower, Iran’s nuclear armaments threaten international peace, North Korea appears unstable (yet again) and the red tide in ‘ole-soviet’ Russia seems to be steaming yet again. This new president, whomever it may be, will play a deciding factor as to how the world itself will run for the next four years. It may sound like a brash statement but he may even play a factor into a possible future war that we may or may not have. Things on earth are becoming more and more unstable that it seems everyday, in my mind, that World War III needs to just show its face. It’s not really that bad of a thought really, when you think about it. All we need now is one little spark under Iran or North Korea, or even Russia’s sheets. Things can’t be quelled forever and this election almost represents that as we are choosing the one who will lead the assault, in a sense. But would I label myself an election fanatic? Not in the sense that I’m an avid supporter of either candidate, or that I spend hours a day watching political highlights. I realize the significance of the election and otherwise I try and stray my eyes from the news networks. It’s just so depressing if you ask me. I was watching TV yesterday and I literally saw BACK TO BACK attack ads for BOTH running New Jersey Congressmen against eachother. We are literally subjected to things like “Well you don’t want him; he steals money from little old women and steals ice cream from toddlers” and then “Well you don’t want him he gives money to his corrupt friends and undercuts small businessmen.” So will I be RELIEVED after today? HAH, no I won’t be. The day the G8 can get together and solve all of the world’s problems, I’ll be happy. Otherwise I don’t think any American should have the luxury of being relieved over the results of today’s election. Just because someone who shares your political or philosophical ideals doesn’t mean they will solve all of the problems you want fixed! It doesn’t even mean those are that person’s real ideals! I keep sounding like some radical who walks on the streets of New York warning passersby about Armageddon, but all I mean to say is that I don’t feel like we’ve gotten to the climax of world conflict. This election is just a precursor to a whole new mess of international issues and will determine the man who will be at the forefront on the world stage. The next president of the United States will sure have a blast in the next four years!
This election is such a hyped up election because of the outcome that it will produce. If Obama wins it will be the first African American in the Presidential position and if McCain wins it will be the first female VP. Personally I don’t think that it will be the election to change all elections. In 8 years when the world is truly in the crapper, that is when the votes and obsessions need to come out. When all is said an done in this presidents term/s, will make the next election more important.
I don’t believe that I am obsessed, but I am interested. I think that being informed is more important than being obsessed. Obsession draws all the negatives away from your preferred candidate and puts up the blinders on you. You don’t see the true election if you are obsessed.
This election is extremely important to young people as well as baby boomers retiring. Our economy is down which could be an issue for us in the next 4 years when we have to go out and get a job. As we get older most of the issues seem to affect us and there comes a time when you grow concerned. Social Issues as well as our economy are factors which play a huge role in this election. Also the fact that this is a historic election with Obama as the presidential nominee and Palin at the Vice President nominee. I feel like now we’re seeing different faces then the typical American president. I feel that with this election I have gone to great lengths to inform myself on issues. As a citizen I feel that I need to be involved. With this election in particular I feel that I hear the same thing over and over again and I wish we would hear more of other issues. If only the candidates would surprise us with an extraodinary speech of some sort with things they havent touched upon.
This presidential election is monumental. Our country is in a huge and very pivotal state of transition. Our economy is in shambles and our position on the international stage is in jeopardy. To put it bluntly, there is a lot riding on what happens November 4th. Our next president will have a huge job ahead of him: dealing with rogue countries, such as Iran, the increasingly powerful China, and a “terrorist threat” looming around every corner. There is a lot riding on one man’s decision. People see each candidate as a sourch of salvation after 8 disappointing years of Bush.
Another reason why everyone is so up in arms over this election is the historical (and cultural) repercussions. This is the first time in history that an African American has a legitimate shot at winning the election. This is the second time in history that a woman has run for vice president. Regardless of who wins, racial and gender barriers will be broken. The American dream will be realized by and minorities will finally have legitmate representation. Once again, there is a lot riding on this election.
Personally, I am quite excited for this election. I view November 4th as a holiday (like many other people) because I believe that on candidate will bring legitimate positive change to our country. I am not obsessed with this election, but I realize how monumental and important the decision will be. November 5th will be a big day.
I think this particular election has caused people to be so obsessed unlike any other because not only is it historic, but it is going to be a close race. For the first time in history, we have a African American candidate for president AND a woman for a vice presidential candidate. Also, this historic changes come at a time in America where there is a large amount of discontent as well as insecurity; people are upset with Bush, yet no ones knows what needs to be done. The government is in debt, yet the economy is going down the drain. The American people’s pockets are suffering, yet taxes must be raised for funding. We promise social security to all, yet the large Baby Boomer generation is quickly aging and the government has spent all the money that should have been put away. With all these questions and doubt, this election has offered a beacon of hope and change in Barack Obama and, in such critical times, I think that this has inspired a bit of an election mania. Equally as strong, however, is Obamas opposition, claiming he spouts ideals of socialism. Regardless of the validity, both sides have created strong followings which have, unlike many elections in the past, created a hype that has developed into democratic fervor. After the election, I think that the American people will remain active and interested in politics for only a couple months after the inaguration; change can only be brought about slowly and more of the same just won’t be interesting to the American people in my opinion.
I think the main reason for this election being so big is because of the boundaries that have been broken. Even from the primaries, the two main democratic candidates were an African American and a woman. Both of these groups used to be discriminated against and virtually had no rights. Now to see that two groups that were discriminated against could potentially be running our country was an intriguing thought. Also, the choice of McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin, had heads turning, waiting to see what she would say or do next. The bottom line is that this election exceeded many barriers than thought possible. Our country has grown so much and has made such great strides towards equality, this is just one example on a national level that effects the whole country.
Personally, i do think that i pay more attention to this election, however i am not as obsessed as the video portrays. I do notice that is comes up in conversation more often than previous elections and is definitely a bigger deal. However, we are all getting older and becoming more informed of the issues; some of us can even vote. Also, we have never been in a situation like we are today with our economy in our lifetimes. Seeing the everyday effects of this crisis on our family definitely promotes more involvement.
There are so many issues in this election that hold a lot of value for many people—the environment, education, foreign policy. Etc. However, I believe that the current economic crisis that we’re in caught everyone off guard, and got people to realize that the new president needs to be able to help get our country back on stable feet. Even though McCain is constantly compared to Bush, I think that both McCain and Obama would bring a significant amount of change to the country. The direction of that change goes in two different ways, and Americans will vote because they will know how important it is to give their opinions a better chance at succeeding. Additionally, this election is a huge historical event, especially because of Obama’s race. People want to take part in this history by voting and participating in as many ways as they can.
I do not think that I am obsessed with the election; however, I do think that the media has treated the candidates like celebrities, thus making it easier to become “obsessed” with following the race. The election has gone beyond the limits of news coverage—now, anything regarding the election can be found on TV, the internet, magazines, music, art and more. I am unintentionally immersed in information about this election, which makes me more naturally inclined to be interested in it. I think that all of the hype from the election will transform into an abundance of information on the new president, which will eventually fade back to a normal amount of news coverage.
This election has gained so much attention because history is being made. No matter who wins there will either be an african american president or a women vice president. Because of this people cant help but watch. Another reason why this election is so popular is because there is an economic crisis and people are looking for someone who can fix the problem. After 8 years of bush people are frustrated and they want a president who is completely different,who can change the country for the better. This is one of the reasons why McCain is having a hard time in the election, because he is being associated with bush and his failed polices, and people don’t want four more years of the same. However it should be interesting to see if Obama can bring the change he promised. I personally am not addicted to this election, and i think some of the people need to calm down alittle. Checking the polls constantly and watching every single speech over and over, 24/7. I think people should sit back and see what happens with the election rather than becoming obsesed with it. But there is no doubt that this election, no matter who wins, will truely be historic.
Everyone can agree that the policies of the past eight years have dug our country so far in the ground that it will take at least a decade to thrive the way we once did. Whoever is elected on Tuesday will attempt to point our country in the direction toward recovery. It is naïve to believe that the next president will be able to fix all the problems regarding the economy, the war, and the energy crisis, but I do think that people understand the magnitude of deciding who they feel will do the best job in steering the country back on track. Is it best to stick with the war, or begin withdrawing troops? Which will be more effective- tax cuts or tax raises? The people need to be informed of each candidate’s platform so they can appropriately determine who they think is best fit for the job and whose beliefs align best with theirs. However, when did knowledge turn into obsession?
This presidential race has been the topic of discussion for the past two years. I barely remember a time when I did not hear the names Barack Obama or John McCain at least once a day. Both candidates claim to be the agent of change and we as a nation have been sucked into the whole escapade. We have become so desperate for someone new with fresh ideas that we can’t help but analyze every minute detail of their lives. For example, to me Sarah Palin has been molded into celebrity status, rather than a political figure, possibly second in command to the leader of our country. Yes, the media has had an enormous influence on her overall persona, yet we have fed right into it. Technology allows people to blog until they are blue and cameos on shows like SNL remove the political stature that I used to associate these candidates with.
It is as this election has become an extension of America’s obsession with reality television. People are sitting down with a bowl of popcorn to watch the debates and are waiting on the edge of their seats for the next big candidate gaffe. On the night of the vice presidential debate, I recall my mother turning to me and exclaiming, “Ohh, everybody’s been talking about it at work- will she wear her hair up or down?!” What I want to know is why does it matter? For the past few months, people seem to be forgetting about the issues. Both candidates are simply attacking each other and avoiding what is really important.
No matter which candidate one supports, the fact that Barack Obama has made it thus far is historical. Being apart of history is exhilarating and everybody wants to feel as though they are smack in the middle of it. I think this election proves how far our nation has come and it brings a more significant hope of a better tomorrow that people find not only appealing, but they can’t let go of it.
Personally, I will be fine when this hullabaloo is over. I like to stay current about the news, but I definitely would not call myself obsessed by any means. I think we all need to move on and begin to focus on the next four years instead of petty arguments between the candidates. I think that if there were anything to become obsessed about, it should be everything that happens on November 5th and so on. Who will the winner choose to be in his cabinet? Which issue will he tackle first? Those are the types of things we need to obsess about, not like obsessing will change any outcome. Knowledge is power. Obsession is useless.
Although this is a late response, I would like to mention that the publicity of this election has made it so popular among Americans. For the past two years, the media has been showering viewers with political issues. Political mudslinging has gone rampant and has caught the attention of so many viewers. The media has played such a huge role in attracting the youth and dragging them into the world of politics. Within the previous 8 years of a terrible president, this election is very critical to the future of America.
Also many other factors helped make this election so popular. For one, it is the first election where a Black person ran (and won) for president and a female ran for VP. No one saw this coming and it was a surprise to everyone. Also, Obama, being one of the youngest presidents in American history, has attracted the youth into politics.
This election has turned into a sport, Democrats vs. Republicans.
At one point, I was sort of obsessed with this election. I would constantly check up on CNN. During the Democratic and Republican Conventions, I was definitely amped and excited about the election. But within the final 20 or so days, I was annoyed at the whole deal. Everywhere I go, I would see Obama and McCain ads. It just got repetitive and boring. I was so bored that I couldn’t follow CNN on the last day, when they announced the new president. I found out the next day, only because my parents were talking about it.
Any type of obsession is unhealthy. I don’t think its such a good idea to be “obsessed” over the election, when we have so many more issues to focus on (economy, national debt, our wars…) But then again, this is who will hopefully pull us out the problems that Bush got us in.
I can’t remember an election that drew so much of my attention like this one. Throughout the past year, I have visited CNN Politics more than a few times a day and have really acquired a deep knowledge of the issues that are prevalent in America, and the solutions each candidate will offer. I don’t consider myself to be necessarily “obsessed” with the election, but I wanted to play a more active role in understanding American politics today. I think it’s pointless for anyone to proclaim that they’re a “proud American” when they’re not even aware of the issues and crises facing the people today. I also agree with previous comments on how the media and entertainment industry have promoted youth involvement in politics. To some extent, I think SNL’s Palin skit fostered some interest within me to keep up with Sarah Palin, since I am an avid Democrat and didn’t believe she posed any threat at all towards the Obama campaign. Could she really see Russia from her house?
However, the heat of the election started to wane after I recognized a pattern of constant criticism, by both candidates, that was only intended to disparage and belittle the opponent. I think much of American politics has given into this lame tactic, which is a shame. Frankly, the American people are much more concerned on how each candidate will resolve the economic slump, global wars, the energy crisis etc. On the other hand, I was locked in on Election Day and stayed up until both candidate’s speeches had been delivered. The words, “President Barack Obama”, definitely incited positive emotions within me because they signified a new America.
I am confident that Barack Obama will deliver his promises to the American people. I know that many Republicans will continually slander him and point out that his policies are ineffective, but considering the condition America is currently in, it will take at least five years for any sort of positive results to appear. Besides, everyone is tracing Palin’s every move (at least I am), who has become a political pinata. Did she really believe Africa was a country?
Many people have found obsession within the election, so many issues have plagued the candidates playing field, from the economic crisis. the Iraq conflict, and the environmental issues. It seems as if there have been far more issues then elections prior and with that more interest in people across the board, more then likely due to the output and speed of information. One family may be focused on interests of the environment, and another may have a family member on duty in Iraq so they would be inclined to pay attention to the Iraq conflict. I suppose I am saying that the load of issues today have brought Americans together via the election to make their votes count for what they want on which issues they view as important.
Of course many were simply interested in no matter whom the winner be, history would still be made; either the first African American president (and youngest president), or the first woman vice president. That in itself boasted that America as a country would grow and develop.
I myself found growing more interested in the election, that’s also because politics is a new found interest to me that I gained through History classes. However I didn’t go lengths to check CNN.com every twenty minutes. Though I did pay attention to the debates. I agree with the previous blog, no obsession is ever healthy.
This particular presidential election has caused people to be obsessed in the way the CNN video describes for a number of reasons. For this election, we have so much access to such a wealth of information regarding the election. For example, the internet provides constantly updated polls results. The CNN video describes the election as a two year long reality show; this almost serves as an accurate description. The video also describes that people want to have control over the uncontrollable and that is why so many are obsessed with this election. The more information that one can gather about the election will lead to a higher sense of control that one has over it. People are also obsessed with the election because of the change in type of candidates. Obama may very well be the first African American president of the US, and Sarah Palin may be the first female vice president. These are very big changes and show that anyone has the potential to become President/VP of the United States. There is history to be made. Also, with a very low approval rating, a great number of voters are focused on not electing a Bush and strongly advocating for change.
I am not as obsessed with the election as the individuals depicted in the video, but I do like to follow the election and its results very closely. After this Tuesday, I will either feel overjoyed or highly dissatisfied with the winner of the election.
I don’t think I am one of the people mentioned in the video because I get most of my information from asking people I trust rather than searching for it myself (which may be a bad habit).
But I think many are obsessed with this election because the last time an election like this occurred, one involving two new candidates, in 2000, a whole slew of problems burst forth. Many are attempting to gauge how much controversy this election will cause whether it revolves around disenfranchised voters or racial issues or gender issues or whatever else.
Also, this election has ignited a fire for voters that has not existed for some time. Lots of people really believe that one candidate would be a complete failure and that the other is totally on the right track. With that kind of mentality, no wonder people are getting excited (to use a MILD term).
A point made by allthewayadlai struck me as very important, what is most concerning to me about the election coverage is that fact that Americans, myself included, seem to have forgotten that there is still a president in office with about ten weeks to go. I have this awful feeling like George Bush knows that he has more power in any one day inside the white house than he’ll have in the all the rest of his years combined, so he’ll make sure he is exercising it. And our forty-third president still has 71 days left in the White House.
It’s so easy to become wrapped up in the election because cable news shows often lead and focus on presidential candidates and campaigns, in part to feed our appetite for what’s next. And while we followed the stump speeches and swing state polls, Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior, announced plans to deregulate the dumping of toxic waste in streams and his intention to remove the grey wolf from the endangered species list. I think we should all be paying more attention for the wolves’ sakes. And Attorney General Michael Mukasey also announced new guidelines that impede on our civil liberties. FBI agents will be able to lie and use surveillance more freely, and according to The New York Times, the new provisions allow “expanded latitude to use these techniques on people identified by racial, ethnic and religious background.” Scary.
Now that it’s all over and I can reflect on my election obsession, I am slightly disappointed that I didn’t focus more on what existing governmental authorities and leaders, whether in this county or abroad, were up to. Looking back, did I really need to spend three hours watching the states and territories pledge delegates at the Democratic National Convention this summer? If only there was a way to get back the precious time I spent watching the Youtube debates…
In France the last presidential election only lasted from February to May of 2007. I would be willing to bet that the population never faced election fatigue. But the length of time of elections here does seem to me to cause more interest. And for some candidates it can be an advantage.
For the Obama campaign the length and the immense coverage and obsession over the election gave voters more time to get used to the idea of a black man as president. This was important in mostly in rural predominately middle class, people who voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries. According to Michael Sokolove in an article called “The Transformation of Levittown” from today’s New York Times, people needed the past five months to get used to the idea of an Obama presidency.
The election obsession could turn out to be a detriment to Obama because it seems like Americans are expecting immediate change from a man who really does not have any power, other than the deals he can attempt to legislate on the floor of the Senate, which is probably not the way he wants to be seen right now. Although we can now watch cabinet appointments and rejoice in the fact that the new chief of staff will be Rahm Emanuel, the man after which Josh Lyman of the West Wing was modeled, things will start to be really interesting on January 21st. I look forward to the first hundred days of legislation obsession. Hopefully Americans took enough of an interest in campaign theatrics to pay attention to what Obama does when he finally gets into office.
i feel that the reasoning behind the obession with the election is because it is so monumental, no matter what the outcome was it was going to be a day to remember in america history. Not only were the candidates monumental but the issues they have had to deal with have also made this election interesting. From the war in iraq to the economic crisis both of these candidates had to be prepared for the worst, and ready to give our country the best because the people of america dont seem to be very forgiving.
I dont know if i could consider myself to be like some of those people in the video clip but i was definitly more involved in this election then i ever thought possible. The dynamics of the election were captivating in my point of veiw, where ever you were or whoever you were around a conversation about the election was possible, so many people seemed to be informed .
I agree with multiple previous blogs that correlate the obsession that people have with this election to its inherent historic nature. As previously stated no matter who wins (or won) the election the white house would have a first, either a first African American President or a first woman Vice President. Also previously mentioned, this election counts. People are tired of eight years of the Bush Administration and they want to see, as cliche as the word has become, change. Our economy is in a wreck, the war in Iraq is still occuring, we’ve strained multiple alliances… people are ready for new policies.
Also I gree with the CNN Reporter when he said that the influx of available information changed the scope of this election. Technology has redefined media and has really increased the amount of “contact” people have (or had) with the candidates. I know I recieved countless e-mails from the Obama Campaign, and even recieved one the night that he was elected. Furthermore you-tube has made it impossible to miss any event. Everything can be watched and rewatched on the internet and online communities, such as this blog, are definately forming because of it. All of this new technology has made staying up to date with the election almost.. trendy
The combination of its inherent historic significance due to our countries current state and the amount of media available to citizens has defiantely aided with people’s “obsession” with this election. I just hope that the amount of enthusiams this election has generated can be generated in future elections, because civic engagement depends on interested citizens who are willing to participate.
In response to the final question, I am not disapointed that the election is over. I am very excited about the results.. which is what I am have been looking foward to this entire process. I also think that Obama’s Presidency will be able to carry a lot of the energy generated during the election throughout his years in the white house… which will be necessary considering he has A LOT to tackle.
I think the reason people have been so obessed with this election is that people actually care. Because we are in the middle of an economic crisis, and an unpopular war, people are eager to elect someone who will solve these problems. The new President will directly impact people’s mortages, savings, and possibly even the men in their lives who may be off fighting for our country. Also, because we have an unpopular President in office right now, people are very hungary for change. They are excited to exercise their right to vote, and want to have impact on the future.
As for the final question, I am so relieved this election was over. Not only did it turn the two candidates against each other, it turned the country into two conflicting teams. For the past few months all I have heard about is this election and the reasons Obama will make a good President, why he won’t, and the same with McCain. People have been fighting over their respective candidates for over a year now, and honestly, I think it’s time our country can together, united, under one new leader, and hopefully that will happen. The one thing I will miss however is the SNL election skits!
As many others have stated, I too believe that this particular election causes such a freenzy throughtout the country because of the candidates running. It is being said everywhere in the country from the media news to everyday people that this election, no matter the outcome, will “make history.” We have our first African American candidate to make it as a nominee for president, and we now have a women on the ticket for vice president in Governor Sarah Palin. The leaps and bounds our nation has taken just in nominating an African American and a women for the presidential and vice presidential position, are monumental. If asked a couple decades ago whether or not people thought a women or an African American could make it into the white house, almost surely people would say that would seem impossible. To nominate candidates disregarding race and gender is one of the biggest growths our country has made. Knowing that there is going to be a huge and never before seen change in the white house is a definite incentive for people to be hooked on the election. They are about to see history made, and many people (as proven by the recent increase in voter turnout) are anxious to be a part of this historic election.
This election also marks the end of an era that few people are sad to see go. The Bush Administration’s ratings have plummeted to an exceeding low level, and most Americans are desperate for change, regardless of their party affiliation. With our economy in a recession, oil prices skyrocketing every day, and money becoming an issue for almost everyone, the person put into the white house in this 2008 election is one of the most important decisions Americans have had to make in recent history. Whoever becomes our next president has an enormous responsibility to take on in helping to restore our crumbling nation. The American people are becoming more and more worried and need a strong leader in whom they can place their trust and ensure their nation’s survival.
Every American citizen is aware of how important this election is, and it is understandable that so many have developed an insatiable appetite for any election information. Recently talking with a friend, I have discovered that a good deal of our conversations in the past year have been centered around the election. Just last fall we were debating on who would make it as the nominee for each party, and now this fall we both are actively campaigning for our candidate of choice. I’ve been at a campaign office for a couple days a week since the summer, and therefore have heard about this election day in and day out. Strangely, I don’t seem to get “tired of it” because something new always seems to be happening to discuss, and as we got closer to the election, the excitment that may have dwindled slightly over the past year became re-heightened. This is one of the most important elections to date, and I know I personally am incredibly excited to be a part of it.
There many reasons why people are as election obsessed as the people in the video. As mentioned, information is way more accessible in this election than in previous elections, because of things like CNN’s “Magic Wall”. This and multiple other sources allow voters to constantly be checking polls and the news as of that instant. Also, media other than the news has been constantly been feeding us with a different type of election coverage. You could hardly watch television on a Saturday night without seeing an impression of Sarah Palin.
Also, it is common knowledge that no matter which candidate wins, the victory is historic. Obama became the first black president. Had McCain won, Sarah Palin would have become the first female Vice President. Both of these minorities have come so far in the acquisation of liberties and for many, these positions of power being held by such a minority is the culmination of all the effort put forth to the cause of advancing them.
Another reason why voters are so obsessed with the election is because of the issues our country is facing. So many are fed up with Bush’s policies and are eager for a change. The belief is that an exceptional leader is needed to dig us out of the hole that we are in. People are so passionate about their candidate of choice because of their frustrations that have built up over the past 8 years. They know their vote can make a difference and they did all they could to make sure the candidate they strongly believed could deviate from Bush’s failed policies was elected.
I am relieved that the election is over. It has been covered for the past 2 years and seeing the sames things on the news over and over can be tiresom. It is now time for the actual legislation to come into play, which is ultimately the important thing.
Americans have been hooked on this election since the very beginning; about two years ago. The republicans brought out the typical candidate while the democrats broke the social norm and produced not only a person of color, but a woman as well. It was hard not to get obsessed with this election with all of the fire being shot between both parties. The idea of the race card and change and Sarah Palin put the country into a whirl-wind of exciting events. As was also mentioned in the video-clip, it is so easy now to stay in touch with the presidential nominees and the goings-on in their campaigns. I could go online anyday and find pictures of the Obama family on vacation. All of this information is so easily accessed that its hard to stay away. Not to mention that people love and hunger for controversy and gossip and this election lacked neither. This was a historic election, and the immense interest of the American people and even the rest of the world proves just that.
While I was interested in this election and watched and searched as much as a could, the news and updates were’nt like caffiene to me. I’m not addicted to the election like some of the interviewees in the clip but I no-doubt have an interest. A recent government and politics project did get me more pumped for the election though, forcing me into high anticipation of the outcome. Am i sad the election is over? No. I’m actually relieved to finally have some answers. At this point it just feels good to have one less thing to stress about for the present moment.
There are two reasons why people are obsessed with this election. One is that no matter who wins, there will be a huge step forward for a minority group, either women or African Americans. The other reason is that many people are tired of Bush’s policies and greatly wish for the change both McCain and Obama are promising.
It doesn’t matter who wins; something momentous will be happening. People are obsessed with the idea of change, both in policy and in social norms.
Because there were two “different” candidates, it lead to more media coverage, especially with Saturday Night Live. So many different people became interested in the election because the media did. Many media outlets were focused on young people voting in particular. A very diverse age group watches SNL – a much more diverse group than the age group that would watch CNN. Information was more accessible and made interesting this time around.
Many people also became obsessed with Sarah Palin, whether they hated her or not. She was just overall an interesting character. She was a very easy target.
I am defintely not at all like those people in the video. The election did not in any way take over my life. I really wanted one candidate to win, but I did not obsess over it. I paid attention to the election and watched debates and TV appearances, yet I was not at all at the level of obsession that those in the video were.
I am actually very relieved that the election is over. I am very glad I’ll no longer have to see any “Who IS Barack Obama?” ads on my television. The whole election process is tiring, even for someone just watching.
This is the craziest election I’ve ever seen or heard about. We have so much access to so much information at the tip of our fingers. The Internet shares people’s views, the views of the candidates, projected wins for each candidate, stupid photoshopped pictures, candidate merchandise, and the list goes on. Think about it. Have you ever seen a presidential candidate’s own cereal brand/spoof since now? I know I haven’t. I mean babies are wearing shirts for some presidential guy they don’t even know. Talk about obsessed. People are now even trying to “lobby” their dog’s breed or their specific dog to be Obama’s gift to his children. This is madness.
Media coverage is on every single day with a new story to add about at least both of the candidates and their VP’s. If you read newspapers, their articles are FULL of campaign things and what the candidates are all about. However, this election has been covered more now than any previous election because there is history to be made. Either there will be an African American president, or a woman vice president. People just cannot get enough of the fact that this election is so much more than just another race for president. They believe change is coming, in some shape or form. The country is exhausted from the Bush policies, and they want instant change. More demographs of people have went out and voted and that contributes to the fact why this election is so obsessed over.
I personally am not like the nuts out there that have Obama or McCain shirts on their dogs or own a Obama or McCain bobble head or action figure. I was interested in this election, but I didnt find I was tripping over myself to get the latest information on Sarah Palin’s new granddaughter. I have to admit though, I was so anxious for this election to just be over because I was sick of how long it was drawn out, I checked on CNN.com every hour for the projected wins and the actuals on election night. I think this election was wayyyyyyyy too drawn out with the same issues and stances repeated so many times I practically memorized the speeches.
I believe that this election in particular has caused people to becomed obessed because of the tremendous innovation in technolgy over the past 10 years. You can do just about anything on something that has a computer chip in it these days. Whether its watching the tube on your cell phone, surfing the web on your ipod/iphone, or being able to tpye in almost anywhere in the world on your computer and getting a satellite image of it. The convinence of having just about any information you want in the palm of your hand is definetaly a major attraction to the American public who are becoming more lazy by the second. Another reason when i think people were obessed with this election is because there was a possibility of history being made, and people where tuned in from the start to see what would happen.
As for being obessed goes, i’ll have to admit that in the beginning i was glued to ever update checking cnn about 15 times a day. Towards the end of the election though i became detached because by reading all the articles, and listening to the news i could tell that Obama had the election won, and unless a big mistake was made McCain had no chance.
I agree with many of the other posts that the advancements in technology in the past decade and even the past four years
played a huge role in the insane amount of hype throughout the whole election. When people have the necessary tools to be able to check the internet while listening to music on their cell phone, of course they are going to check up on the things that interest them the most. With that being said, it is good to see that instead of watching videos on youtube, people were instead checking up on the status of their favorite candidate. I cannot even start to think about how great the hype will be for the next election in four years. It doesn’t feel like it could possibly get any bigger than it was this year, but I’m sure it will.
Being someone who is lucky enough to have a wireless internet connection for just about 24 hours a day, I was surprised with myself that I did not become obsessed with the election. Even without being obsessed though, I was still able to keep a grasp on what was going on in the race without even trying to.
I think the reason this election seemed to spark so much interest was due to the insane amount of technology we had at our hands. The idea that we could check online for almost instantaneous updates about it seemed to really appeal to people. Any information that we wanted was pretty much at our fingertips. The 24-hour news coverage and websites being updated every 10 minutes (or whatever) made it easier for people to become obsessed. If the information is readily available, it’s so much more tempting to look at. It’s almost like hanging a carrot in front of the proverbial horse. We’re tempted by the information that’s floating around there and we’re just going to keep going after it. (Although, unlike the horse, we actually are able to get what we’re going after.)
And of course, there was the (dare I say it) change factor. I know a lot of people were sick of the “Bush regime” and wanted to see someone else take office. Not to mention that it was the first election to have an African-American running for President (who is now President Elect), not to mention the fact that he was running against McCain who had a female Vice-Presidential candidate. It really was (in my opinion) a historical election and one that will go down in history. And of course if we look back even further to the primaries, the two main Presidential candidates for the Democratic Party were a female and an African-American.
I really think many Americans were on the edge of their seat to see which history would be made (first African-American President or first female Vice-President). I think this and the availibility of information is really what spiked this election frenzy. Fortunately, I haven’t seen many people experiencing signs of withdrawal, but maybe that’s just me.
I agree with exactly what the video had said. Now in times you can get the instant update of ever single poll and election minute and i think this has really increased over time. I think so many more articles are being put online because internet usage has definitely increased over the past four years. I also feel that due to the possibility of this election becoming memorable because of the first African American president people want to soak in all the information they can because it will be talked about for years to come.
Personally I am only a little interested in the entire election. I have supported a candidate since the beginning but because I cannot vote, I have no control over it, and whatever happens happens. After tuesday I will take into account the new president and think about it but it will not personally affect me as much as it will to those who have voted.
This presidential election has caused people to be overly obsessed because it involves the making of history, and a new era of technology. Like the video stipulated, the “stakes are high.” No matter which candidate wins, the outcome will be historic: either the first African American president or the first female vice president. Therefore, many people find themselves to be more interested in this election and more aware of it: researching policies, listening to news, evaluating polls, hearing comments by political analysts etc.
Another reason is because of the technology. In this day and age, technology has advanced tremendously. Right now, people are fingertips away from an immeasurable wealth of knowledge. As articulated in the video, people can check the latest poll results every hour. O’Brien stated that the access to too much information prompted the recipe for obsession. You see, we are exposed to a “tidal wave of information,” which makes us feel as if we are in control. Humans want to control the uncontrollable, and psychologically speaking, the more information one gathers, the more sense of control one has.
I wouldn’t categorize myself as “obsessed” with the election. I would, however, consider myself as interested in the election. I do realize that this election would be historic regardless of the outcome, and so I’m trying to follow the news and understand policies. I’m connected with the election, but not obsessed to the point that it controls my life that I can’t do anything but just watch CNN.
There were a lot of factors that drove people to become obsessed with this past Presidential election. The new information age which allows round-the-clock coverage of the election, the two on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our economy which is said to be in worst shape since the great depression, health care crisis and the historical significance of the Presidential race, with the first African American Presidential candidate and a female Vice Presidential candidate in the same election. People became obsessed with the election because the information was available around the clock and it was fascinating. You could not turn on the television at any time of the day or night without someone reporting on some aspect of the election. It was by far the most covered election in history. People are interested in what the candidates had to say about the many problems facing the country and which candidate had the better idea about getting the country out of the crisis. The record number of people who watched each of the four debates showed us that the country was paying attention to the election. Voters turn-out on election day was phenomenon, beating the 2004 presidential election by more than 10 million votes (132.4 million versus 122.3 million). No, I was not as obsessed as the individuals depicted in the CNN video. I did not have the luxury of time (too much home work). I did watch all the debates and my mind was made-up after the last debate, unfortunately I am not old enough to vote. I am looking forward to 2012 when I can fully participate in the electoral process.
I think the election caused this kind of obsession partially because it was so controversial and brought out people’s passions, but mostly because we have the most expansive, most interactive, most entertaining, fastest media ever and the election was the top story every day. In past elections the power of media, when we look at the whole range of what constitutes media, was significantly smaller and thus bred less obsession. The internet played an especially large role in this election, because it has grown exponentially since 2004, and there are more people accessing the internet now than ever before.
I was not one of the individuals depicted in the video. I did pay very close attention to the election, but I consume media, media does not consume me. I do not feel like there is a void now that the election is over. I am too busy for that.
And if any democrats on this blog have presidential ambitions for 2036, let’s hope Chris Harms is your opponent because you will probably annihilate him.
I was one of the people who was obsessed with this election. I was always playing with the CNN electoral map, seeing how poorly Obama would need to do for McCain to win. Obama performed better than I predicted he would with the CNN electoral map, but won both times.
I became obsessed with this election for a number of reasons.
One, it marks the end of the Bush presidency and a new beginning. This nation is in a state right now that I think many find deplorable. The Iraq War was fought with the Bush Doctrine as support, prisoners are tortured and detained without trial at Guantanamo Bay, and the NSA is wiretapping without warrants.
Two, Obama has energized many many people. I am usually a person who says “I can’t believe these were the best two people we could find.” However, during this election, I was very excited about Obama. He is liberal enough to attract the left of the Democratic Party (which often feels neglected) and his youth is very attractive as well. The fact that he is a minority may have also attracted many people who felt disenfranchised or that the American political system left no room for their participation.
Another last minute thing that made this election very interesting was Sarah Palin. Nobody expected someone quite like Palin to be on a presidential ticket. Her personality is not typical of politicians, which I think is very exciting for many Americans (particularly the base of the Republican party and the sealed deal red states). Palin’s performance in her interviews with Gibson and Couric also made the election interesting because they called into question whether or not she was intelligent to be the vice-president.
I think that people became so obsessed with this election because it’s such a pivotal time in American history, where things can swing either way. The excitement and passion that has been brought on by this election is unprecedented. Times of American apathy are over. The increase in technology has definitely added to the overall effect and constant conversation of the election. I personally am a huge fan of the magic map on CNN, which plays so much at my house I’m pretty sure that the little red logo is permanently burned into the lower right hand corner of my television screen. I would pretty much give anything to play around with that map for a whole day. I was totally obsessed with this election. While I generally don’t believe in politics for the sake of politics, I found my competitive side poking out of its shell for the duration of this election. The election fever was definitely infectious and it was during this past year that my crush on Anderson Cooper and some of the other pundits fully developed. Without the election to occupy most waking moments of my life, there is definitely a sense of loss in my soul; however Barack Obama has filled it with a hope for the possibilities of the future.
I feel that people became so obsessed with this election because of the two candidates that were running also because of the state of the economy and the war and Iraq. For the first time in American history an African American was in the running and leading in the polls for the presidency. A 72 year old war veteran also in the running for presidency both candidates emphasizing change. With the war in Iraq and the state of the economy people are in need of new leadership. I was pretty interested in the election my self but I don’t feel like I was like the people in the video who were almost obsessed. Every 4 years there will be an election maybe not as interesting as this one but defiantly more interesting ones in the future to come.
I think because of the candidates and what is going on in America right now people really want to see where these men stand; citizens are tired of Bush’s policies that have lead us into massive debt and spending more money on a war since Vietnam and surpassing U.S. spending amount in Nam. When Bush came into office more that 44% of the population was stuck with a president they didn’t want. People want a president to have an ideology similar to theirs and to listen to the majority in terms of public opinion. Jobs are being lost by the thousands every week and we are crying out for help. Clearly we feel Obama has heard us and is ready to take on or fears and burdens.
When the race was tight people were waiting for someone to make a serious blunder and the other shoe to drop (for Senator McCain that shoe might have been Governor Palin).
Also we had reports of everything happened at our fingertips due to our technological advances in the last decade people used the internet, their “super phones” as my grandmother calls them. My cousins with iPhones and Blackberries had atomic updates sent to their phones, there was no need to wait more than 5-10 minutes for information.
I wouldn’t characterize myself as being obsessed with the election, intrigued, captivated but not obsessed. A young African American the same age as my older brother and a White man old enough to be my grandfather running for the privilege for governing our great but broken nation. How can anyone not be interested?
I am thankful that I am not one of the people in the video. The only time I looked at polls of individual states was the for election map blog two blog posts ago. I was mildly interested because Obama was winning by a lot and was making some states swing states, some of which had never been before. However, that is the only time I have checked the polls since the last Presidential election. I have not checked the polls since that blog post either. Since I do not have a blackberry I can’t check the status of the election on my phone easily, and it was never worth it. Because I am not one of these crazy, election-obsessed people, I do not expect to be in withdrawl from the lack of election drama. If I wanted drama, people backstabbing eachother, and unnecessary insults I could just watch Gossip Girl (basically, “no thanks”). A reason why I may not have cared was because I felt that both candidates were potentially good leaders, and capable of improving the country. Don’t worry, I had a favorite candidate, but watching CNN would not improve his chances of winning.
As for all the people who were obsessed, I wonder if they need to attend a meeting of election-aholics anonymous? I have reason to suspect that if anyone was as truly crazy as the people in the CNN video made themselves out to be, they are most likely literally going through withdrawl. It’s possible to become addicted to things other than substances; gambling is an example. I don’t think this election mania has much to do with this specific election. Yes, both candidates are impressive, but as they said in the video, there seemed to be a trend of increased obsession because of easy access to the latest polls. The election wasn’t that close, and hasn’t been since August, so what’s the big deal? It seems to me much more likely that these nutters, who probably avoid work to check on the election, have chemical imbalances in their brains that are present in actual addicts. And sorry if this offends anyone