著者

羽鳥 修 Osamu HATORI

出版者

駒沢女子大学

雑誌

駒沢女子大学研究紀要 (ISSN:13408631)

巻号頁・発行日

no.15, pp.115-133, 2008-12

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The American Presidential Erection of 2008 is drawing near. The parties have already nominated each candidate; the Democratic Party's nominee is Barack Obama and his VicePresident Joseph Biden; while Republicans field John McCain and Sarah Palin.The aim of this paper is to explore the meaning of this "historic election," even though the Democratic campaign originally was between Obama and Hillary Clinton. Obama is the first African-American presidential candidate and Clinton would have been the first female candidate in America political history. This means a black or a female president would be the first such president in U.S. history. Obama finally got the nomination. Is his nomination "historic" in itself? This seems to be unquestionable, but more important is who Obama is. What does this choice mean? Why was he nominated? What made American voters choose Obama? What did over 35 million voters who participated in the primaries and the caucuses of the Democratic Party expect of Obama? Answers to these questions lie in Obama's duel strengths. One is his race, which Obama has separated from traditional black candidates'stances. The other is his "diversity," which finds sources in his social background; having an African father and an American mother. This diversity has been effectively utilized in his " grassroots" campaign strategy. This is why Obama has been supported by a wide spectrum of supporters, especially by those of the younger generation, who supported Obama in his campaign organizationally and financially using such contemporary tools as the social networking sites "YouTube" and "Facebook." Technology makes it easier than ever to create networks and share enthusiasm among young people. Obama spoke not only directly and personally but spiritually and inspirationally to voters in his campaign. Those who voted for Obama are expecting him to promote the American dream of uniting a racially and culturally diverse country; the national motto "E Pluribus Unum"(one from many) indicates this. Obama's nomination reflects the public sentiment of over 17.5 million voters; this is a very" historic election, " which American voters showed through the primary race in the Democratic Party.

著者

羽鳥 修

出版者

駒沢女子大学・駒沢女子短期大学図書館

雑誌

駒沢女子大学研究紀要 (ISSN:13408631)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.19, pp.1-19, 2012-12-25