Creative Strategies of Obama and McCain in 2008 Presidential Elections
Creative strategy is clearly at work in both major political parties this presidential election. Of course it always is, but this year almost seems more creative than others. Some of this has to do with the changes in culture and technology since the last election. It is crazy to think how fast things change in four years. Both candidates are using Twitter this time. Barack Obama has become a master online fundraiser; something most online businesses probably hope to learn from. He is also the first to utilize text messaging in a huge way to inform his supporters; something my church hopes to learn from. McCain also has been smart in some of his strategy. His advertisement yesterday congratulating Obama on a “job well done” in honor of his acceptance of the party nomination was a class act and surely well-planned strategy.
Obama did a great job with his speech last night. (I have some concerns personally with his portrayal of being a conciliator and yet his voting record shows him far on one side of the spectrum, but no doubt he is a great speaker and, for that matter, I believe a genuinely good man). His introductory biographical video was inspiring. I went to bed thinking that we would see a large number increase in the polls compared to McCain’s numbers following the convention, which is normal.
Then today, more McCain strategy arrived. On McCain’s 72nd birthday, he announced his VP running mate is Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska. You can read an article about her here. I’m convinced this will shake some things up and diminish at least some of the bang Obama would have experienced naturally from the convention.
Regardless of whom you are voting for this year, (and I do hope you vote!) the campaigns of these two men are very creative. I look forward to whoever wins bringing this creativity and energy into the next phase of leadership of our great nation.
