William Jennings Bryan waged a vigorous campaign for the presidency in 1896, delivering more than 500 speeches in 27 states over 100 days. In contrast, the Republican nominee, William McKinley, invited voters to his Canton, Ohio, home, where he used a "front porch campaign" to win the White House.
While the beginning of modern presidential campaigns nod to McKinley — one-on-one interaction at Iowa diners and small gatherings in New Hampshire homes — it escalates rapidly to large-scale rallies that resemble rock concerts more than political events. That evolution leaves a nation to reflect on whether candidates and citizens are still effectively served by the process.
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama spoke Thursday to an enthusiastic audience at Minges Coliseum on the East Carolina University campus. With thousands lined up for hours to gain entrance to the rally, Obama's appearance will be recalled as a significant event, solidifying this community's connection to the presidential campaign.
It was compelling to see a diverse audience — college students, the elderly, the well-heeled and those of modest means — united by their desire to participate in the national political discourse. When one considers a declining level of civic engagement in America, especially among younger voters, the crowd that turned out for Obama merits optimism.
The event assumed an air of entertainment, from the blaring strains of the Foo Fighters and Bruce Springsteen to the minor riots that accompanied distribution of Obama campaign placards. Were these features uncommon at political rallies, it might lend credence to the oft-repeated indictment that Obama's campaign favors style over substance.
In fact, the hour-long address soberly touched on many themes central to his campaign — the economy, Iraq, health care — and afforded the candidate ample opportunity to recount his policy ideas. Absent, though, was acknowledgment of the specific concerns unique to eastern North Carolina.
All campaigns operate in an era of 30-second sound bites and YouTube videos, perhaps believing that content alone cannot reach an apathetic and cynical electorate. Recall the pep rally feel of President George W. Bush's 2001 appearance in Minges, for instance. But the necessity of that approach warrants questions.
In 2004, actor Sam Waterston recreated a 1860 speech at the Grand Hall of New York City's Cooper Union, intending to see how the audience of 900 would react to one of Abraham Lincoln's most memorable addresses. It was far from scientific, since the circumstances attracted a favorable audience, but Waterston received shouts and applause throughout the two-hour lecture, mirroring the reception Lincoln earned 144 years earlier.
Further, concern should be raised as government and the governed draw away from one another. The nation has ample opportunity to learn about those seeking the presidency — through television and the Internet, primarily — but little chance for the type of personal interaction that benefits candidate and citizens.
Obama was able to shake hands with some in attendance and honored a few autograph requests. But a phalanx of Secret Service judiciously and effectively enforces a necessary buffer. And the size of the country forces candidates to limit the opportunities available for direct interaction.
When asked about the challenge of connecting with voters while in Greenville, Obama acknowledged it requires adjustment, but that he seeks "off-the-record stops where we just stop in a diner, or a Krispy Kreme or something so that I have a chance to talk to people individually."
He reflected on meeting a volunteer who took vacation from work to register voters, a story he repeated during his speech, but said "those are the kinds of stories you hear that not only remind you why you're doing it but also give you some inspiration to the fact that the country is ready for a change."
But what will Obama take away from his Greenville visit? His whirlwind tour could hardly have illuminated the poverty that plagues this region or the perpetual concerns about public education and access to health care.
And what will those who attended Obama's address take away from their experience? The speech did not offer new insight into the candidate's perspective or unveil new policy ideas that promise to directly impact Greenville, Pitt County or eastern North Carolina.
Any opportunity to bring local residents and a major presidential candidate together should be celebrated. One hopes thecivic engagement forged by this event remains strong for years to come.
But Obama's appearance reflects modern political reality, reinforcing concern about an election process that inhibits the type of substantive interaction between candidates and citizens that alrady happen with alarming infrequency.
Comments
By DinNC
May 1, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Having never had the opportunity to attend a major political event in "my own back yard" I take objection to this editorial.
What will satisfy the naysayers?
Televised speeches...not enough
20+ televised debates...not enough
Rally in the city in which you reside...not enough
Daily interviews by major media outlets (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News) with local news carrying coverage....not enough
Local headquarters where information can be obtained...not enough
Published economic plan for North Carolina on Obama's website....not enough
Published policy stance on Obama's webiste for every topic you can think of....not enough
...and so much more that I could print given the time and energy
And you wonder why people are detached from their civic responsibility...its becuase so many are apathetic and do not take it upon themselves to access the information that is readily available whenever they want to learn more about each candidate...
THIS IS NOT A FAILURE ON OBAMA'S PART TO EDUCATE US ABOUT HIS POLICY STANCES AND HIS CAMPAIGN AS YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR ARTICLE.
Who expects to learn everthing there is to know about ANYONE in 90 minutes.
Take it upon yourself to be better educated and you will find the substance you so desperately seek.
Sidenote:
The music was entertaining and was by no means akin to a rock concert. It would have been kinda silly to have 8,000 people packed into an arena with nothing to fill the wait time but silence.
There were no riots for placards and Obama signs. I was standing the entire time to the right of the stage where Obama entered and if there had been a riot I most certainly would have removed my self from the building and I'm sure Obama would have been removed as well.
By DinNC
May 1, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Having never had the opportunity to attend a major political event in "my own back yard" I take objection to this editorial.
What will satisfy the naysayers.
Televised speeches...not enough
20+ televised debates...not enough
Rally in the city in which you reside...not enough
Daily interviews by major media outlets (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News) with local news carrying coverage....not enough
Local headquarters where information can be obtained...not enough
Published economic plan for North Carolina on Obama's website....not enough
Published policy stance on Obama's webiste for every topic you can think of....not enough
...and so much more that I could print given the time and energy
And you wonder why people are detached from their civic responsibility...its becuase so many are apathetic and do not take it upon themselves to access the information that is readily available whenever they want to learn more about each candidate...
THIS IS NOT A FAILURE ON OBAMA'S PART TO EDUCATE US ABOUT IS POLICY STANCES AND HIS CAMPAIGN AS YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR ARTICLE.
Who expects to learn everthing there is to know about ANYONE in 90 minutes.
Take it upon yourself to be better educated and you will find the substance you so desperately seek.
Sidenote:
The music was entertaining and was by no means akin to a rock concert. I would have been kinda silly to have 8,000 packed into an arena with nothing to fill the wait time but silence.
There were no riots for placards and Obama signs. I was standing the entire time to the right of the stage where Obama entered and if there had been a riot I most certainly would have removed my self from the building and I'm sure Obama would have been removed as well.
By DinNC
May 1, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Having never had the opportunity to attend a major political event in "my own back yard" I take objection to this editorial.
What will satisfy the naysayers.
Televised speeches...not enough
20+ televised debates...not enough
Rally in the city in which you reside...not enough
Daily interviews by major media outlets (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News) with local news carrying coverage....not enough
Local headquarters where information can be obtained...not enough
Published economic plan for North Carolina on Obama's website....not enough
Published policy stance on Obama's webiste for every topic you can think of....not enough
...and so much more that I could print given the time and energy
And you wonder why people are detached from their civic responsibility...its becuase so many are apathetic and do not take it upon themselves to access the information that is readily available whenever they want to learn more about each candidate...
THIS IS NOT A FAILURE ON OBAMA'S PART TO EDUCATE US ABOUT IS POLICY STANCES AND HIS CAMPAIGN AS YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR ARTICLE.
Who expects to learn everthing there is to know about ANYONE in 90 minutes.
Take it upon yourself to be better educated and you will find the substance you so desperately seek.
Sidenote:
The music was entertaining and was by no means akin to a rock concert. I would have been kinda silly to have 8,000 packed into an arena with nothing to fill the wait time but silence.
There were no riots for placards and Obama signs. I was standing the entire time to the right of the stage where Obama entered and if there had been a riot I most certainly would have removed my self from the building and I'm sure Obama would have been removed as well.
By DinNC
May 1, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Having never had the opportunity to attend a major political event in "my own back yard" I take objection to this editorial.
What will satisfy the naysayers.
Televised speeches...not enough
20+ televised debates...not enough
Rally in the city in which you reside...not enough
Daily interviews by major media outlets (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News) with local news carrying coverage....not enough
Local headquarters where information can be obtained...not enough
Published economic plan for North Carolina on Obama's website....not enough
Published policy stance on Obama's webiste for every topic you can think of....not enough
...and so much more that I could print given the time and energy
And you wonder why people are detached from their civic responsibility...its becuase so many are apathetic and do not take it upon themselves to access the information that is readily available whenever they want to learn more about each candidate...
THIS IS NOT A FAILURE ON OBAMA'S PART TO EDUCATE US ABOUT IS POLICY STANCES AND HIS CAMPAIGN AS YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR ARTICLE.
Who expects to learn everthing there is to know about ANYONE in 90 minutes.
Take it upon yourself to be better educated and you will find the substance you so desperately seek.
Sidenote:
The music was entertaining and was by no means akin to a rock concert. I would have been kinda silly to have 8,000 packed into an arena with nothing to fill the wait time but silence.
There were no riots for placards and Obama signs. I was standing the entire time to the right of the stage where Obama entered and if there had been a riot I most certainly would have removed my self from the building and I'm sure Obama would have been removed as well.
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