Why is the press so concerned about how Bhutto's assassination will affect the presidental race?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071227/ap_po/candidates_pakistan

Are there really people out there who are thinking "I was going to vote for ___, but now that Bhutto was killed, I'm going to change my mind and vote for ____"

Does CNN really think people are that stupid?

Answer 1

The answer to your first question is that we Americans are very narrow in our view of the world. It exists only as it affects us.

The answer to your second question is yes, though maybe not as explicitly as you put it. Research has shown quite clearly that people's decisions are affected by whether they are in a fearful mood or not.

The answer to your third question is that they know the audience.

EDIT: Just to respond to sunshine, one of the distortions reported over and over again by the media three years ago was that Bush beat Kerry in a landslide. In fact, it was one of the closest elections in history. It only seemed like a landslide compared to the 2000 election.

And now, an even greater portion of the population believes Bush was NOT capable of handling the threat and has botched the handling of the wars.

Answer 2

America under Bush has moved closer to Pakistan since 9/11. It's a fair question to wonder what might happen in light of today's events in 13 months when a new President takes office.

Granted, part of it is the "these guys are available to talk, so we'll give them some time on the air." After all, the 24-hour news cycle does need feeding. But I think it's a legitimate question to wonder if the candidates have thoughts on the situation.

Answer 3

It's happened before, when Bush and Kerry were running neck-and-neck just days before the presidential election, Bin Laden released another tape, and some people-for-Kerry re-evaluated some of his pacifist positions and determined that Bush was more capable of handling foreign threats like Al-queda. Bush won in a landslide.

It's possible that due to the Bhutto assassination and greater turmoil in Pakistan/Afghanistan, some voters are looking to see which one of these candidates have the foreign policy experience and toughness to deal with these volatile issues.

Today, some candidates, including McCain, Giuliani and Hillary have alluded to this experience issue in their speeches.

Answer 4

People in general aren't very bright, so CNN is actually correct.