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A Minimum Winning Coalition

The 2008 Presidential Election from a Historical Perspective

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Abstract

Ever since his high school years, Barack Obama has always been able to find a special joy in playing basketball. Even during the heated 2008 campaign, Obama tried to find opportunities to play. He willingly exhibited his basketball skill to the public. CNN asked the legendary basketball superstar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, to comment on what would be the best position for Obama to play on the basketball court.

Political majorities are always coalitions.

—John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira, The Emerging Democratic Majority

Before a political party can gain control of the government, it must, through numerous appeals, form a coalition of voters from as many sectors of the population as possible

—Hanes Walton Jr., Black Republicans: The Politics of the Black and Tans

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Notes

  1. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, interview by John King, CNN, February 15, 2009, before the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona.

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© 2010 Baodong Liu

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Liu, B. (2010). A Minimum Winning Coalition. In: The Election of Barack Obama. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230111790_2

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