Some Insight into Obama's Campaign

Obama is not only the first African American president of America, but he is also the first president to bring the youth out of hibernation. According to the national exit polls, more youth voters cast their ballots this year than previous years dating all the way back to 1972 when the voting age was lowered to 18. The question is how has he done it? 

Whether it was Obama or his campaign managers, hats go of to them because they actually did some research into voters. The youth of America had been absent to the voting booth for the past few years and previous candidates did not seem to mind. They, as well as the majority of the elder population, don't have much faith in the youth of America. Obama saw the void and instead of ignoring them as others did, he embraced the opportunity to speak to the future of our country. "Young people do vote, they do matter, and when you pay attention to them, they pay attention to you," said Sujatha Jahagirdar, program director of the Student Public Interest Research Groups' New Voters Project. "The recognition that young people are a potent political force and that they are incredibly engaged citizens is exciting and long overdue," (Lipka, 2008)

Obama's campaign was focused around winning the youth vote, but he did it in a way that they would understand. In other words, he found where they hang out and spoke to them in terms that they would understand. He had a Facebook page,a blog, Youtube videos, and, something that in my opinion put him ahead, text messaging. Any candidate could put messages out in these mediums, but it was also the message that was being portrayed. Obama made them feel important. Students and young adults are the future of the country, they have power, and Obama has been the first candidate to praise their presence.



Not only did he make them feel important, but he opened up and showed who he was. He made it possible for young voters to relate to him.



There is a lot to be learned from the Obama Campaign, and I think that it can be said that he has now given an extra push for technology. For all of you out there who were not sure of the effects of the new media...well the results are there. Obama's campaign is not just a show of what new media can do as far as action in the polls, it also shows the way our world is moving. It is no longer the strong leaders of our country that have all the power or the opinion leaders, but, times are beginning to shift to where the general public is gaining power.