James McPherson’s Media & Politics Blog

The Palin/McCain administration: Put whom or what first?

Posted in Education, Journalism, Media literacy, Politics, Video by James McPherson on September 18, 2008

In a discussion about political symbols, students in my media criticism class last spring liked Barack Obama’s logos and signs much better than John McCain’s. My students are more politically conservative than the nation’s as a whole, so I think they were fairly objective in their analysis.

Though I thought Obama’s logo looked too much like one for a natural food co-op, the students thought it well represented his “change” motif. McCain’s logo seemed stodgy to them; they criticized it as looking like a real estate ad. For that reason I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself when the words “Country First” began to appear on the signs–I keep envisioning a suburban ranchette.

I also would argue that the campaign’s seemingly desparate attempts to smear Obama through negative ads suggest something other than “country first.” But now it seems that Sarah Palin has forgotten even whose names is first on the signs (see video below).

Perhaps that confusion is understandable. The media and Republican supporters alike have been treating Palin as if she were at the top of the ticket. Some of those supporters have been sticking around at rallies just long enough to hear Palin speak, then leaving while McCain does his best not to numb the crowd.

Warku #10

Posted in History, Journalism, Poetry, Politics, Written elsewhere by James McPherson on September 18, 2008

This is the 10th of a series related to Bush’s war, perhaps the most astoundingly stupid presidential event in American history. Also see Warku #1, #2, #3#4#5, #6#7, #8. and #9.

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Let’s not be out-Foxed

Lapel flags in great demand

How about those Sox?

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