It is already established that the 2008 US Presidential Elections will possibly be the most interesting one in the early 21st century history of the United States. The 2008 elections may seem to be far more interesting than the 2004 US Presidential elections as well. Polls ratings have been consistent in saying that presumed Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona.
This recent poll result is quite interesting. A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corp poll has revealed that there is a huge gap in levels of morale between the Democrats and Republicans. About 67 percent of Obama supporters are excited about voting this November. It eclipses the 34 percent of McCain supporters that are excited about voting this November.
Like a recent Gallup Poll, this poll shows that most voters believe that Obama will win the presidency.
However, there is a sampling error of 5 points in this poll. This is significantly different from the 2004 elections between current US President George W. Bush and then-Democratic nominee Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. While 66 percent of supporters were excited about Bush, 65 percent of supporters were excited about Kerry.
But the low results for McCain are understandable. Many have felt frustrated after eight years of Bush’s presidency. The GOP is struggling to repair its tarnished image.
When Obama introduced the message of “change,” many had come up with their own versions. McCain had called himself the candidate of “right change.” The House GOP had launched the message of “change you deserve.”
This is one core disadvantage that McCain must deal with. He also shares many of the same policies with Bush. However, McCain is trying to distance himself from Bush as well.
“I think it’s important, especially at this stage of the game, to define himself, but also to define his opponent, John McCain, as being part of George Bush’s legacy. … ‘If you want more of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, vote for McCain.’ That’s what Barack Obama is trying to do,” said CNN political analyst, Donna Brazile. Brazile said that Obama needs to constantly link McCain with Bush.
Brazile adds that McCain is tasked to show that he’s different from Bush. In that respect, Brazile said: “He will have to take time to distance himself, to defend his record and to show the American people that he will not represent a third term of George Bush and Dick Cheney.”
According to Cybercast News Service’s editor-in-chief, Terry Jeffrey, Bush is the main reason that McCain has the disadvantage. Jeffrey said that Bush will be a vital threat for McCain.
Many in the GOP such as McCain are distancing themselves from Bush. However, they still need Bush’s fund raising prowess.
Recently, many of Bush’s former donors have instead supported Obama’s run for the presidency.
Jeffrey also adds that McCain is already out of the game with three strikes going against him. He explains the main strikes are: the economy such as $4 per gallon of gas, Iraq, and the unpopularity level of Bush. Many have cited frustration with the war in Iraq, which has been the main platform of McCain’s candidacy.
The poll shows that McCain has many disadvantages against him.
However, it shows that there are many Democrats worried about Obama’s ethnicity as a difficulty.
The results also show that Obama still has difficulty with seniors.
Still, the poll results show that more Obama supporters than McCain supporters are burning with excitement this November. Obama and McCain have their own separate set of objectives at hand.