Debates styles like Lincoln; differences since 2004 in parties

On Saturday April 26, 2008, Hilary Clinton announced to the nation that before the next major primary on May 6, she wanted a debate modeled off the historic debate in 1858.  The 1858 debate was between President Lincoln and Stephen Douglas which involved no moderator but just the two candidates challenging and answering each others questions.  Obama announced though the next day that he did not want to partake in another debate in Indiana or North Carolina and that he was not “ducking the debates” with his rival.  Maybe his reason for not wanting to debate again besides the fact that he had “21 already,” is the fact that since his debates his lead in the race went from 19 percent down to 7.  41 percent of Americans views have changed since Senator Obama was linked to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who’s sermons reached news a few weeks ago.
    

A great deal has changed since the election of 2004. Besides Bush’s approval rating plummeting to almost nothing, the Republican party seems to be losing voters. Of course with the war in Iraq, there are many that feel we don’t belong there and will vote democratic; yet, because of the marcopartisianship effect, there is still a threat of terror and September 11 in the backs of many minds which will lead to people staying Republican in times of crisis.  In 2004, Bush had a substantial amount of the Hispanic vote supporting him but that has changed since.  Now that there has been a wall built between Mexico and the US, with immigration controls tighter, Hispanics have left to go to the democratic side. Religious views are still the same with social issues somewhat different.  Obamas religion as well as McCain’s will definitely play a key role in the election process. It will be interesting to the see changes from 2004 to 2008 this year.

News article : http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/26/obama.debate/index.html#cnnSTCText

-Justin O'Connor