Actually, we don't know yet. It may take awhile to determine the winner.
As you watch votes flow in, here are some point-of-view (lower case) overtones to consider:
If Bush wins, he'll be able to point back to the War on Terrorism as his "One Big Thing" that got him through a close race. It's amazing to watch how disciplined Republicans are with staying on message, often to the extreme of clouding facts with reality. But in a rapid image, 24-hour news cycle, the schtick seems to work, especially if Bush holds on to win a second term.
If Kerry wins, he'll be able to point back to his ability to differentiate views and values on issues as a deciding factor. He never established a message along Clinton's "It's the Economy Stupid." However, Kerry did appear authentic and different enough to force a deciding vote. If he loses, Kerry will wish a "Vote for Change" message had been portrayed instead of the Vietnam memory lane stuff.
And if neither wins and it's a tie? Or worse yet, a repeat of 2000 where one candidate gets the popular vote and the other wins the electoral map? For point-of-view purposes, it won't prove anything that substantial. And that may be the greatest takeaway.
Instilling and portraying a consistent point of view will only take you so far; at some point, other factors such as sheer will, luck and outside influences take over.
Happy voting,
JG
No comments:
Post a Comment