The Effect of Four Types of Presidential Endorsements on the Election

This year, more than in any in my lifetime, the race for United States President is wide open in both political parties. Many candidates have entered the race, with few dropping out before the first primaries. As such, endorsements are flying in many directions. While all carry some importance, this article will focus on four specific endorsements, from four very different sources. As tempting as it would be to examine endorsements for a Kucinich or a Tancredo, it will also focus on candidates who have the proverbial snowball's chance. I will examine what I expect will be the effect of each endorsement on the candidate in question, ignoring specifically any poll data related to the question. Voters asked whether endorsements will sway their votes will invariably answer unreliably. In the end, though, the endorsements' effects will be exciting to watch as the election develops.

Hillary Clinton and the Reputable Source Endorsement

Hillary Clinton earned the endorsement of the Des Moines Register in Iowa. The newspaper's endorsement is important for the Iowa straw poll, which in turn carries weight as the nation's first primary. The endorsement, as one would expect from a newspaper, is well-written, with tempered prose that lends gravity to the endorsement. Such an endorsement is particularly important for Mrs. Clinton, as the chief concern in her campaign regards electability. If she seems to have been measured carefully, emerging as the thoughtful voter's candidate, this weighs in her favor.

The downside of this endorsement is that the newspaper, as one would expect, endorsed both a Democrat and a Republican: John McCain. As such, it provides no guidance as to which would be a better selection. In addition, considering both selections represent someone who has supported the war in Iraq, voters around the country - who overwhelmingly oppose the war - may hesitate in basing too much on this endorsement, or may even react by turning away from Clinton in favor of a consistent anti-war candidate like Barack Obama.

Barack Obama and the Celebrity Endorsement