As the 2008 campaign season heats up, Sen. Barack Obama faces a great deal of criticism from both Republican and fellow Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
According to CNN.com, political analysts agree that this has been and remains to be the most exciting and talked about presidential race in history. To some the recent “mud-slinging” among the candidates is nothing surprising and is expected during any political race, but students at Southern University, like some public figures, are tired of the name-calling and finger-pointing.
A string of negative television ads arose earlier in the month, as Democrats geared toward the Wisconsin and Hawaii presidential primaries and the Republicans faced the Wisconsin and Washington state primaries.
Television ads questioning the readiness of the Illinois senator to be president, his credibility as a candidate and his alleged lack of solutions for health-care and social security are some examples of what can be seen by voters, both democrat and republican alike.
Joining the ring of negative publicity ads aimed towards Obama, is McCain, who commented last week saying, according to washingtonpost.com staff writer Chris Cillizza, in describing himself as someone who could bring more than “eloquent but empty call for change” and the “confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate,” referencing the Obama’s style and public record.
Obama struck back with television ads of his own, using some of his recent speeches as rebuttals for the criticisms pointed out by Clinton’s campaign and reinforcing the fact that McCain supports President Bush’s failed economic plan and several other policies.
Quinton Hogan, freshman political science major of Baker said, “I am tired of people saying that he is not ready; give him a chance. Personally I am voting for Hillary Clinton, who in my opinion has more experience. I think that the country is at the point where it needs to be rebuilt; and I feel that Hillary, because of her previous experience as first lady and extensive years in the senate, is the best person for the job. I would like to see the negative campaign ads go away and see the candidates focus strictly on the issues.”
As the candidates move to Ohio and Texas to face the next round of primaries to be held the first week in March, tensions rise as the Democrats remain unclear of its official nominee and as Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee refuses to quit, McCain holds a strong lead in the delegate count.
Among the negative television ads, some Southern students also noticed the recent remarks from McCain, which were viewed by many as an aggressive statement.
Ronald Myers, sophomore marketing major of Baton Rouge, said in regards to the comments made by McCain that, “it’s an attempt to put others down in order to raise himself up and that is unnecessary. I think that Sen. Obama will make a great president. I have read his policy on immigration and I feel that it is better than any of the other candidates that are running. The issues get lost when name-calling and bickering are the main focus and we end up voting for someone who is ill equipped.”
Obama came under a great deal scrutiny and was accused by Clinton as plagiarizing a speech in almost its entirety from Mass. Governor Deval Patrick, friend to both Clinton and Obama, and borrowing words from former presidential candidate John Edwards, who dropped out of the race this past January.
Despite the efforts of what seemed to be a double-teamed attack against Obama, according to washingtonpost.com, he went on to claim his ninth and tenth consecutive victories in Wisconsin and Hawaii, as well as the approval of democrats abroad, adding more delegates to the senator’s increasing lead over Clinton.
Samarolyn Guess, sophomore English major said, “I feel that the negative ads take away from the actual presidential race and diverts attention from the issues that desperately need to be discussed and corrected. None of the candidates, in my opinion, have the so-called “experience” necessary to be president, which is why they are all running for the presidency.”
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SU students react to presidential campaign ads
March 10, 2008
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