'I had only one superstition. I made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run', the American baseball player Babe Ruth was quoted for saying. Maybe it could be used as a piece of advice for the American Presidential candidates? In the American democracy there are in effect two choices for voters, so touching all the bases to become President of the United States becomes so much more important.The Democrat candidate, Barack Obama, seems to touch all sorts of bases during his campaign. Apart from the 'issues' section on his homepage, he also addresses directly the people he want's to reach: African-American, Latinos, Jewish Americans, rural Americans, Republicans, women, people of faith, seniors, sportsmen, small businesses, students, environmentalists, kids, veterans, etc. Recipient-oriented communication. Up until now it has seemed like there was only one Presidential candidate to speak of. But there is also the Republican candidate. Yes, that one.
John McCain's 'issues' section is more colourful and appealing, but do most of the issues themselves in this sender-oriented communication appeal to ordinary people in their everyday lives? How about 'Joe the Plumber'? However, McCain seems to do well at touching on issues directly targetted at his primary conservative bases - like family values, national defence, natural heritage, immigration, fighting crime, the sanctity of life, space program etc. So the candidates both seem to do well in reaching out to their respective bases of voters.
Then there is just that final base: Do they appear to be Presidential? During their campaigns and the three Presidential debates there have been many negative lashes. But where Obama tries to touch the issues and lash out at McCain's support to different bills, McCain has lashed out at Obama as a person to be trusted or not. Up until these negative lashes he had sympathy on his side. McCain even made the noteworthy remark of 'that one' during a Presidential debate. Shouldn't he leave this to his second, running mate Palin? Can a Presidential candidate really afford to act like that himself? Neither of them are running for the Senate, they are running for the highest office. If you want to be President the first step may be to act like one in public. Cover thy bases.