The 2008 Democratic Primaries and the Presidential Selection Process

Abstract

Throughout the first term of George W. Bush’s administration, the media speculated about a possible revisit to the White House for Hillary Clinton, not as First Lady, but as the president. The 2006 midterm election sent a clear disapproval note to the Republican Party. The Democrats not only took control of both chambers of Congress but also were positioned to take back the White House. Senator Hillary Clinton quickly became a front-runner in the field of potential Democratic presidential candidates. The USA Today/Gallup Poll released on August 6, 2007, showed that Clinton led Obama by a 22 percent margin, with 48 percent of the Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents indicating Clinton as their choice for the Democratic nomination.

Of course, the 2008 Democratic nominating contest sparked unusual interest because of the clash of superstar candidates Obama and Clinton.

—Darrell M. West, “Air Wars: Television Advertising in Election Campaigns”