Palin Comparison: Half of Campaign Storylines Revolve around GOP VP
For the second week in a row, the GOP vice presidential hopeful got more coverage than the man atop the ticket, John McCain. Yet this measure does not fully convey the Palin-centric nature of the news coverage.
The Bounce Effect
There is little doubt that the fall campaign begins in earnest with McCain having gained the momentum. How good an indicator is this of where the electorate is headed on Nov. 4?
Northern Exposure: Palin Dominates Campaign Coverage
For the first time since the general election campaign began, John McCain generated more coverage than Barack Obama. But he was still outshone by another newsmaker — his own running mate.
Denver and Palin Fuel Biggest Campaign Week Yet
Campaign coverage filled 69% of the overall newshole last week, by far the most media attention the 2008 election has received since PEJ began tracking it in January 2007. The Democratic convention dominated news early, but McCain’s unexpected VP pick abruptly changed the subject. In just two days of tracking, Sarah Palin became the third biggest campaign story of the week.
Podcasts Proliferate, But Not Mainstream
Nearly one in five internet users (19%) has downloaded a podcast to listen to or view later — up from 12% in 2006. But podcasting has yet to become a fixture in the everyday lives of internet users, as very few download podcasts on a typical day.
Convention Buzz: A Split Decision
An examination of political websites shows the Clinton team and the Obama team sharing equal billing in online chatter about the Democratic National Convention.
It’s All Veepstakes All the Time
In a week that culminated with Senator Joe Biden’s selection as Barack Obama’s running mate, the veepstakes dominated the campaign narrative, shunting other storylines — particularly policy differences — to the sidelines.
E-Patients: Chronically Ill Seek Health Information Online
More Americans are making a habit of using the internet to gather health information as broadband adoption increases. But personal motivation is also a powerful factor, as those with chronic diseases are more likely to search for and make decisions about health care online.
Obama’s Challenge
As Democrats gather in Denver, many may be wondering why the presidential race has tightened. An analysis of polling data shows that that while voters are unhappy with the state of the nation and give low ratings to President Bush, the GOP base has started to solidify around McCain. Polling also finds that Obama’s extensive media coverage may be a mixed blessing.
A Closer Look at the Parties in 2008
As the 2008 conventions approach, the Democratic Party’s advantage in party identification remains as large as it has been over the past two decades, and the Democratic Party’s image remains substantially more positive than the GOP’s.
