Survival of the Fittest

It is seems traditional to attack your opponent as many times as possible on the campaign trail which some might deem a winning strategy. We have recognized these bitter entanglements through readings that outline the constant battle between the Federalists and Republicans for the most revered position of our land. Though candidates build their platforms around the issues they will represent, a lot of time is also spent tearing down the character of the opposing team. The federalists were accused of being too elitist while the Republicans were deemed unfit because they did not possess the aristeia that was trademark for the federalists.
It is this scramble to secure the nomination that have candidates bringing out their “attack dog” stance, feeding off any mishaps experienced by their opponents and using it rip them a part. Lately Pennsylvania has been the focus of the Election of 2008 due to their upcoming primaries, which has Senator Clinton and Senator Obama embroiled in a bitter battle of word confusion. On one hand you have Senator Clinton accusing Senator Obama of being elitist and on the other Senator Obama resurrects prior remarks of Senator Clinton which may imply the same charge. Senator Obama counteracts charges of him being closely identifiable with those of the upper echelon by referring to Senator Clinton’s 1992 remarks wherein she goes on record saying ‘“what do you expect, should I be at home baking cookies”’ ( Nagourney, Zeleny)? The game continues until the primaries helps us to decide who will seal the nomination, until then we should sit back and enjoy the stone faces, smirks and teeth clenching that will be found on many televised debates.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/us/politics/17debate.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/us/politics/17watch.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/politics/16text-debate.html