The American Voter: A Changing Mood

To the close observer of politics, remote coverage of the presidential election scene appears much different than reality. It is clear that we form many of our viewpoints based on what we hear, see or read. At the same time, analysis and opinions are an expression of impressions and ideas. They can often be far removed from the essence of an event.

This holds true for many subjects that are researched and studied. The personal beliefs of an individual candidate, whether in presidential or congressional elections, have become a critical factor with respect to electoral politics throughout the last decade. As the personality of the candidate has become the critical factor in elections, the importance of party loyalties has decreased.

This phenomenon is exactly what former electoral experiments have proven. The roles of advanced media, donation campaigns and public opinion polls have become more prominent in contemporary media. Social media also plays a big role in informing people about the nature of candidates and the political agendas that they will institute in the case of their victory.

A fundamental change has occurred in the American voter's mood. The voter has been forced to become more knowledgeable of the candidate as an individual rather than as part of a political party. As a result, voters have begun to differentiate between candidates as strong and weak citizens. That is not to say that considerations of party loyalties are not still present when voters pick their candidates. Nevertheless, scientific and media changes have contributed in a major way to reducing the impact of party endorsements when voters cast their ballots.

This is a qualitative change in the American voter's mood that is most prominent in primary campaigns. There is no longer much importance placed on a party's convention because most voters choose their presidential candidate in the early stages of the primary process. It is in this context that the victory of Barack Obama in the last presidential election can be explained. His personality and the nature of his discourse were what propelled him into the American presidency. Yet if there had not been a fundamental change in the American voter's mood as a result of education and media, Obama would not have been able to win.

In conclusion, any insider discussion of the presidential election scene differs greatly from outsider discussions. Furthermore, central issues play a role in forming elections that are complex and completely different from any other electoral system in the world. Though American voters develop tools for choosing their congressional and presidential candidates, they are often unable to talk about this complicated electoral process or explain how it works. Despite all of this, at the same time, the process is organized with a high degree of precision and deserves close tracking if it is to be understood from an insider perspective.