Front-page News Story Analysis

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/24/palin-denies-accepting-designer-clothes/

The first headlining news story that struck my attention on foxnews.com was a story about Palin and her supposed $150,000 shopping spree. With such a heated Presidential campaign its no surprise that little attacks are popping up as important news stories.

I believe that Lasch's descriptions of modern day journalism is justified. We have truly become a dumber society in what is supposed to be the information age. Instead of headlining an important story about a candidates controversial policies, we are giving news about a candidates supposed splurge on clothing by her party. This also shows how politics have gotten dirtier. Instead of stating the facts, rumors and speculation circulate around to try and damage a candidates character. I believe that this is pathetic. There is truly no such thing as a clean, straight forward election anymore. Lasch's descriptions of the modern -day journalism points to this concept of the changing in politics and journalism. He has outlined the history of this concept that has led up to the way things are today. Journalism has a biased today, as it did in the past with Lasch's example that took place during the Russian Revolution.

This article ironically seemed to try to clean up the image of Palin as the original gossip story tried to hurt her. The article did a good job pointing out both sides. Instead of playing around with outside sources, they went straight to Palin and used quotes from her about what was going on. They also present the sides of the people that are trying to attack her and saying what was done with the purchase of the clothing violates the Federal Election Campaign Act. So, this article presented both sides of the attackers and the defense to allow the viewer to eventually come up with their own conclusion. 

Overall, it is sad to me that an article like this even has to come up to explain what is going on with such a ridiculous story of plain gossip. There are more important things to talk about then the clothing of a candidate. If a celebrity can wear a $50,000 outfit to the Oscars, no offense, but isnt running for the office of President more important then then wining a little award. Sadly Presidential candidates have become celebrities and our society wants them to dress the part, but if the price tag come out, then so do the dogs. We truly live in a double standard society. 

VP Debate Analysis

The purpose of the VP debate was to inform and persuade, but unfortunately I believe that it did neither. Both candidates seemed to run around the questions which hurt anyone who was wanting to be informed as they did not answer the questions that were asked. So, the candidates tried to resort in persuading the audience towards their particular cause. They did this by trying to relate to the American people by way of their past experiences and their personal beliefs. Unfortunately I want to be persuaded by being shown that they truly want to change this country by way of good polices, which was lacking from this debate.

The candidates in the debate presented themselves as peer. Once again they were trying to establish a relationship with the audience by trying to relate with them. I believe as a peer, they were effective in relating, but they are not a peer, they are candidates to the second highest position in this country, they should be showing a little more authority over the audience.

Most of the candidates information seemed to be rehearsed in a way that when the questions came up, they only said what they wanted to say instead of answering the questions at hand. Like all the debates the candidates wanted to give more information then necessary, which constantly ran them over their alloted time. 

Neither presenters used any kind of visual aids in their speeches. They both directly spoke from what they had memorized and practiced, or what they knew off the tip of their tongue. The candidates would take minor notes through the debate, but it was only as a minor tool to remembering what to come back to. Over all most of the debate was done without a prompt or visual aid.

Both candidates stood behind their podiums in a very stationary position. They did not move around as it was supposed to be a very formal debate. the candidates also used very few hand gestures as they seemed to cling a little more to the podium. Their manner in stance differed greatly from the Presidential debate in which it was an open forum and the candidates moved around freely.

'08 VP Debate

I watched the Vice Presidential debate last night, and had very mixed feelings. First of all, I hope a lot of people watched the debate. Everyone, especially college students need to make their decisions about this years election by studying and knowing what the candidate is about. One should not blindly vote for a person, just because it is the "hot" thing to do. If you really are not sure who to vote for, then honestly do not. I believe you should have a clear decision about who someone wants to be elected in this country, and because every vote counts, don't take it lightly.

Now, off of my soap box, I will discuss my opinions on the debate. First off, I feel that box candidates were trying to play with the emotions of the public. Each Vice President candidate never really answered their questions specifically, and they liked to go off on their personal tangents. Most of these tangents were them trying to show that they were more like everyday Americans, and that they know the struggles that we go through. Honestly though, would I want Joe Shmo to be President of the most powerful nation in the world? Its great that they can relate, but I feel that they are trying to hard, and their appeal to my emotions is backfiring. Who cares if Palin's underage daughter is pregnant? That has nothing to do with policies or ability to govern, just because her daughter had one bad night. I like to have a personable character in office, but they must be closer to the extraordinary and have the ability to lead a nation. I want to know their ideas on policies and what they want to spend money on, and what's their foreign polices. Even though these larger things may not directly affect me, but everything that happens in our government will inenvertantly affect our lives here and all over the world.

Lastly, I'm going to talk about how Governor Palin did during her speech. I feel at first that she was very structured. It seemed that she was scripted at first, and she was afraid to break the script to answer some of the questions that were being ask. I understand her nervousness, as she is very new in this spotlight, and is still learning a lot. So, she should be cut some slack. I do feel like this structure in her speech did throw her off at first. It is good to be organized, but sometimes you have to improvise for the task at hand, but when you are in the lime light, you have to be careful what you say, so it may be better to say nothing at all then to say something and be completely wrong.

Overall, I believe Palin proved herself and Biden did a good job. I feel like I did not learn anything at all unfortunately. A Vice President is not going to swing my vote, as it is the Presidential candidate who will make the most difference. This is going to be an interesting election, and I am excited to see the rest of the Presidential debates.