Bill Clinton.
For 20 years now, you only have to say his name to get a conversation going. And in this year's election, it is no different. Since early September at the Democratic Convention in North Carolina, Bill Clinton has been in the nation's public eye as a surrogate and endorsement for President Barack Obama. Has it worked for Obama? In a word, yes. In my opinion, if Clinton wasn't acting as a endorsement for Obama, the Democratic party would be way down in the polls. Clinton started off with a bang, making an incredible 48 minute speech at the DNC in September, showing off his powerfully moving speech skills. That was enough for Obama to ride in on the coat tails on, the day after accepting his nomination. Having Clinton as a spokesperson for Obama from the start of the DNC made it that much easier for the Obama Campaign Party, especially compared to the shaky Republican Convention's start and the awkward appearance from Clint Eastwood with his chair. Hands down, Clinton stole the show. And if Clinton hadn't endorsed Obama at the convention AND Obama bombed the first presidential debate like he did, I think he would be out of the presidential running completely. Now Obama is using Clinton as a surrogate in the wake of hurricane Sandy, going to the battleground key state of Ohio without the president and keeping the campaign running and alive without him. Clinton used jokes and personalized the president in his speech to rev up the democrats in their race to the polls. And it just might work. With Clinton's great speech making and Romney pulling on the reins of the Republican campaign as well, Obama might have a shot at winning the state of Ohio. To me, it's like a dad passing the torch on to his son, helping him with his senior project or his car. People see Clinton as a remembrance of the past, the great years when we weren't in such an economic crisis. And if the good "father" has faith in his "son", we might keep hope in his "son" too.
To see how Bill Clinton has worked his magic, click here:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-29/news/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-clinton-bidenbre89t01f-20121029_1_obama-campaign-strategy-obama-and-romney-ohio-woman
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2012/10/29/bill_clinton_how_obama_s_best_known_surrogate_can_steal_the_show.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2012/0906/Bill-Clinton-speech-Did-it-clear-way-for-Obama-or-create-a-hurdle-video
Clinton might have a big impact on being Obama's surrogate, but I don't think if he wasn't a supporter or if he didn't speak at the convention would Obama be way down in the polls. Since there are many other surrogates in Hollywood he has to choose from. It's harder for Romney to choose any passed president and most people let it go that Clinton could have been impeached, and just remember that he left office with a high approval rating.
ReplyDeleteI agree, i don't think he would be down in polls, but i think it definitely is a big help for him. The Clinton appeal is something I'm fascinated by, because I have been a victim of it. Maybe Clinton is a vampire, I JUST DONT KNOW! But all jokes aside people are completely obsessed with Clinton, and drawn to his charisma, and i think thats what really draws success to any of his endorsements. It's that little thing that few people have that speaks to the majority of the voting public. Clinton has that special kind of vampire charisma that just works in combination with nostalgia from his past administration. It makes it even more fascinating because of the whole impeachment debacle. It just shows, no matter how much you might screw up, if you can talk you'll be just fine.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I was thinking, Michelle! It's kind of crazy/awesome that people have been able to look past Clinton's flaws and remember his successes. I think it was very strategic on Obama's part to choose Clinton as a surrogate because of this and the fact that it enables Obama to almost be in two different places at once. Clinton has been able to promote Obama and his policies without Obama's literal presence.
DeleteI totally agree with you! And I love the fact that you're saying that he's a vampire. Have we seen him out in the day? Just kidding. But yes, I agree, it was a great move on the Obama campaign, the nostalgia is there. Maybe there will be nostalgia for Obama in 10 years?
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