The 21 Century Elections
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THE 21 CENTURY ELLECTIONS 1
The 21 Century Elections
Jaime Palomo
University of the Cumberlands
November 26, 2023
Professor Spurlock
National Government: POLS-233-B20
THE 21 CENTURY ELLECTIONS 2
The 21 Century Elections
The presidential elections of 2000, 2004, and 2008 marked critical moments in American political history, each of these elections were characterized by unique challenges, controversies, and shifts in public opinions and different points of views. In this essay I will attempt to provide a wide range of different analysis of these elections, examining constitutional issues, political effects, the role of the media, the impact of third parties, and the influence of special interest/advocacy groups. Media
When it comes to any election, the role of the media plays a significant part and can help both political parties sway the American people in their favor. Most Americans during the early 2000’s got their information from newspapers, radio, and television, since television is the most available to all people regardless of social or economic status. However, during the turn of the century there was a new outlet that became available. The rise of the Internet and online media transformed the landscape for political communication. However, this cannot always be good, as media often will only broadcast news that benefits who they can favor. An example of these would be how Fox news broadcast the right wing in a positive light, while the same thing can be said about CNN and the democratic party. During the elections of the early 2000’s media played a crucial role in framing narratives surrounding the Florida recount in 2000. While during the 2004 election, most of the media coverage of the Iraq War and other campaigns in the war against terrorism helped George Bush win his re-election. During the election of 2008, Barack Obama “Yes We Can” became a rally cry, show casing the power the of the internet to mobilize support to get Obama elected (
social media and the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election
, 2009).
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Using the power of social media platform like Facebook and Twitter played a pivotal role to help
energize the younger generation into voting.
Constitutional Issues
In the 2000 United States presidential election was one of the most controversial in American history. The two candidates were George Bush, who represented the Republican ticket and Al Gore, who was the democratic candidate. There were several controversial issues dealing with this election die to the issues with the voting process in Florida, and legal changes that were
made after the election. There were allegations of voter fraud, voter suppression, and issues with voting machines. The illegal changes that arose after the election where those dealing with the recount process that was used in Florida. The Supreme court in Florida ordered a recount, however, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the recount was un-constitutional and
that the original vote should stand (The 2000 US election results, the constitutional crisis deepens, 2000
). This raised questions about the role of judiciaries in the electoral process. Another issue that came into question was the electoral college process. This was because Al Gore won the popular vote, George Bush won the electoral college vote. Some believed that this highlighted the flaws of the electoral college process and some called for electoral reform. In the 2004 election the Iraq war was a large factor in the election for president and the constitutional issue of power of the president regarding his use of intelligence to justify military action. Political Effects
Some major political effect that occurred in the early 2000’s that effected our election process was the September 11 terrorist attacks. This led to the invasion of Afghanistan, which turned out to be the longest war in in United States history. In 2002, congress passed the Iraq
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resolution, which authorized the Iraq war in 2002 and would last over 8 years. These events plus others had major impacts on US and foreign policies that are still in effect today. The 2008 presidential election saw a historic event when President Barack Obama became the first African American President after defeating Republican candidate John McCain. During this election America was under economic crisis and President Obama campaign focused on the need for change and hope. This caused the election to be focused mainly on job security and the economic
future of the United States. The 2008 election also seen a rise in younger and minority voters, this was due to voter mobilization. Both Republican and Democratic parties invested in campaigns to get out and vote. Other factors such as social pressures, and minority representatives may have played a more significant role in increasing voter participation. Impact of Third Parties
The third-party candidates in the 2000 election were Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan who did play a part in determining who would eventually would become president. The Controversy for the third party is they can affect the outcome of elections due to certain view that might appeal to the voter who would normally vote for the republican or democratic candidate. The two-party pollical system makes it difficult for candidates not in the major two parties of Republican or Democratic to win the presidential election. However, the third-party candidates have had altered elections over the years. Ralph Naders Green Party raised the questions about the roles during the 2000 election, which seen George Bush eventually being named the 43
rd
president. However, during the 2004 election there was little involvement from a third-party candidate and the majority party candidates dominated the political landscape. In the 2008 election, there was a rise in third-party candidates and some even participated in presidential debates. Some of these parties that were represented in the 2008 election were the constitution
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party, and multiple independent candidates. This raised the question of inclusivity and representation in our democratic process. I
nfluence of Special Interest/Advocacy Groups
During the 2000 presidential election special interest groups played an important role helping Al Gore build an image of being a strong leader. Most Americans only seen him as trust worthy and likeable. But special interest groups helped him create an image through campaign ads of being a strong leader which closed the gap between in the eventual 43
rd
president George Bush. Some people believe that these special interest groups have to much power and should be limited. They have the ability to spend money and help the candidate they support win. In the 2004 election saw interest groups support President Bush win re-election. Some argued this was because his taxes breaks for the upper class. In 2008 these groups tried to sway voters to their agendas, whether what ever social issues seem to benefit their pollical party.
The presidential elections of the 21st century, particularly those in 2000, 2004, and 2008, have left an indelible mark on American political history. This essay has explored the various aspects of these elections, exploring constitutional issues, media dynamics, the influence of third parties, and the broader political effects that have shaped the trajectory of the nation. The role of the media emerged as a powerful force in shaping public opinion and influencing electoral outcomes during this period. However, the essay also notes the potential pitfalls, as media outlets
tended to present news in ways that aligned with their political biases. These elections not only shaped the course of American politics but also raised critical questions about the democratic process, media influence, and the role of third parties. As the nation navigates future electoral landscapes, the lessons learned from these pivotal moments will continue to inform discussions on democracy, representation, and the evolution of the American political system.
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References
Morone, J., & Kersh, R. (2022). By the People (6th ed.). Oxford University Press Academic US. https://reader2.yuzu.com/books/9780197661529
Social Media and the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election
. (2009, July 31). The Conference Board. https://www.conferenceboard.org/publications/publicationdetail.cfm?publicationid=7078
The 2000 US election results: the constitutional crisis deepens
. (2000, November 9). World Socialist Web Site. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2000/11/elec-n09.html
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