US Elections 2008: Let the content analysis begin

One of the things which amused/angered me about the US election in 2004 (and I speak as a Brit here, bear in mind) was the way in which images of Bush tended to be 'Presidential' - him in front of crowds of servicemen, behind the seal, meeting prime ministers and other heads of government. Meanwhile, John Kerry seemed to be shown ski-ing, at anti-Vietnam war protests and as far removed from affairs of state as possible.

So it's interesting to read the current reports of Hilary Clinton's possible candidacy in 2008 and how she is being characterised. Heaven forbid that anyone should actually have a go at her for her policies. The best anyone seems able to do is describe her as 'too angry'. That incisive piece of analysis comes from Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee
'I don't think the American people, if you look historically, elect angry candidates,' he said.

Three years away and we've already found the new 'flip flop'. Say the word enough and Clinton goes from being (as I understand it) a top flight lawyer who won an impressive mandate to represent New York in the Senate to being a woman with hormone problems. So that's alright then.

This quote from Mehlman was in the New York Times. And what picture did they use to illustrate it?



So here's the challenge. Every time you see an image of Hilary Clinton or anyone else in the context of the 2008 presidential election, save it. If it's online tag it at del.icio.us or somewhere so that we can watch how they are represented, and if it has any bearing on the public's perception of the candidates. I think it could be an interesting experiment.