Has being elected President of the U.S., become simply a matter of luck?

Question

In an age of instant information by way of communication satellites, and the internet, a candidate's career can be immediately ended by any misstatement or radical expression.
Didn't this happen with Howard Dean and his victory scream, and later with John Kerry and his statement about the educational level of soldiers?

CORAGRYPH---Sounds reasonable.

KOHA---That's a strong probability.

Debra H----Aren't both sides able to "manipulate"?

MIDDLECLASSANDNOTQUI---I don't think you can simply dismiss Kerry's remarks as a lack of comedic skills. Just the fact that he believes soldiers are fighting only because they're less educated than others, disqualifies him to be Commander-in-Chief of these soldiers;--humor or no humor.
And most people agree that Dean's scream was wierd for a loosing Nominee.

-(Sp)' losing.'---sorry

PARVFAN---Wouldn't Dean and Kerry have been in deep trouble even if the other side was flat broke?
Their mistakes were feature stories in all the media. I don't see how money could have helped or hindered their chances to a greater extent.

Answer 1

Not luck -- it's a matter of advertising.

And like any advertising campaign, it's the image you present.

If a politician cannot control their anger and cannot control their bigotry -- then that may not be the best person to put in charge of launching weapons or political diplomacy.

Answer 2

somewhat, and even more of avoiding saying the wrong thing. That's a major problem with politics, people say they want a leader to diagram what they'll do, but if they disagree with their proposal, that politician's chances are about nil. Voters want it right the first time ( who doesn't??? ), but it never happens, only by luck. So some good people could be pre-judged OUT even before the election, if a candidate says the wrong thing. Only the wiley and lucky manage to avoid saying anything concrete, but convincing enough to make people vote for them. It doesn't produce the best President, though.
Its also a matter of money, you can't get elected if A) you're not on the ballot, and B) no one knows who you are. Both require money. So you need both.
- The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 3

No. It's money, power and spin. It's the spin they put on those actions, not the actions. Bush has made much, much worse misstatements. Anyone can take a frame from a video and make someone look bad. Then show it over and over. Howard Dean's scream looked bad by itself but if you watch more if the video, it's not. David Letterman made a similar joke and it was funny. Is anyone really surprised Kerry is no comedian?

Answer 4

Luck is not a factor. With our modern communications, we find out very quickly what a person is like. Howard Dean did not win any primaries because people learned he was a flake. He would not have won anything, even without the scream.
John Kerry is a fraud. We found out his history by way of our instant communications. The Swift Boat Veterans sucked the wind right out of his sails. Kerry always made derogatory remarks about his fellow military men, going back to his days in Viet Nam.

Answer 5

Don't discount the Money. You have to have money to win the elections. Is it any coincidence that Mitt Romney won the Iowa Straw Poll on Saturday? He spent the most money on getting people to the event,, In short the Presidency of the U.S. is for sale to the Candidate with the most money.

Answer 6

Not luck but having money and being able to get / attract more. A good advertising campaign, people to manage getting one that right image, and friends in high places. Peace

Answer 7

specific as HELL does. choose Obama and there will be a hurry for the border while he will boost taxes and provides unions an entire new set of alternatives. choose McCain and his rules will save extra jobs in united statesa. the place they belong and encourage new pastime creation. the US has the utmost company taxes in the worldwide. Why ought to agencies stay right here while they are able to function in counties the place their salary can settle for to their shareholders - that is you and me - instead of taken from them by way of the government to fund new and ineffective expansions of government courses. Even Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel, Chairman of the residing house techniques and skill Committee, between the main useful Committees in Congress, needs to diminish the corporate tax value yet is destructive by way of the looney left in congress and by way of Obama. Hershey is between the final candy agencies left in united statesa.. Sugar value lists have pushed the others to Canada and Mexico. Thank the Democrats and the unions who oppose loose commerce. Ford is in hardship like each and every of the US automakers because of the fact of union calls for. The unions have negotiated themselves acceptable out of stable American jobs. The environmentalists have not helped somewhat, forcing CAFE standards on automakers previous to united statesa.'s willingness to purchase the vehicles the enviros demanded. thank you Democrats for killing US jobs. save up the stable artwork. Are you extremely going to vote for Obama and boost unemployment to Carter administration ranges?

Answer 8

Whomever can better utilize the information available to manipulate public perception will win.

It's not a matter of luck so much as a matter of spin.

Answer 9

I don't think it's a matter of luck or being elected. I'll go get my tinfoil hat now. No need to remind me.

Answer 10

No, in Bush's case it had become a matter of manipulation.. in more ways than one.