Sorting, whats the big deal?

Sorting is simply the process of identifying common characteristics of people who vote in a particular way or align themselves with a particular party. Of course politicians and campaign managers will statistically analyze variables associated and correlated with voter choice in order to make the most accurate predictions and design the most effective campaign strategy. I don't know what else to say. We were all very impressed when Pascal and Fermat came up with the probability theory back in the 17th century. But today, organizing and making predictions based on the statistical analysis of data is so common place that it goes without saying.

So how about that Oprah endorsement? Her audience consists of 8.6 million viewers, 75 percent are women. More than half are older than 50, 44 percent make less than $40,000 a year and about 25 percent have no more than a high school diploma, according to Nielsen Media Research.. If I were Hillery I would be pissed, you know she was banking on those votes. Up until this point celebrity endorsements have had minimal, if any effect on voters, but Oprah isn't your average celebrity. She's Oprah. It will be very interesting to see how this affects the upcoming primaries and caucuses, especially in Iowa. If Hilary can keep it close early, I predict that any effect Oprah has on voters will ware off and her endorsement will fade from the voters memories.

The Critical 90's

It is my contention that the 90's were a critical era, but to a lesser extent than that of the 60's. Aldrich defines a critical era as "one of rapid change leading to a new period of relative stability." The 90's did bring rapid change in some respects. The 90's completed the shift from party-centered campaigns and new technologies aided the effectiveness of the candidate centered campaign. The success of independent candidates such as Parrot and the decrease of the incumbency advantage demonstrate the shifting voter patterns of the 90's, specifically the shift of voters away from parties to independents. The Contract with America and Newt Gingrich brought about great changes to the way in which parties influenced policy and politicians in congress which further supports the claim that the 90's were a critical era. However, because the 90's lacked the great upheaval and controversy over the social issues of the 60's, I don't see the 90's as critical as I do the 60's.