Filed under: 271Assignment2

CCDN271 Assignment 2 - Abstract and Argument

Forgot to put this up so here it is.

With 157 million women in the United States during 2010 (Women by the Numbers, 2012), the way Presidential Candidates target women in their campaigns can win or lose them the electorate. Therefore the inclusion of gender based advertising and campaigning is vital in the United States political system. Also, many political campaigns in other countries, including New Zealand, have begun adopting similar strategies in their own campaigns.

 

In this research paper I will look at how gender influences presidential campaigns in the United States. I will argue that it is crucial for potential candidates to target women in their campaigns.

 

By specifically using the 2008 US Presidential election, and in particular the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama, I will be able to conduct a conclusive paper showing that women can influence a Presidential election. These two campaigns are good examples to study as they use different methods of targeting women. Obama's campaign targeted women voters from an early stage whilst McCain, towards the end of his campaign, tried to specifically target women voters by introducing Sarah Palin into his campaign. In my research I will focus on campaign advertisements and political issues raised by the candidates, and how each of them targeted women voters in their individual electoral campaigns.

 

I believe that by comparing and contrasting these two different campaigns I will be able to distinguish a definitive answer to my research question. By using the final result of the 2008 election as proof, I can see whether or not differences between the campaigns made an impact or not, and then conclude how gender has played a role in these differences.

 

 

 

 

Women by the Numbers — Infoplease.com. (n.d.). Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012, from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womencensus1.html