By Andreya Shaak
George Stephanopolous cheerfully greeted a packed John Crawford Adams Playhouse full of students and spectators on Monday, Sept 15. After a brief introduction by Bob Papper, University chair of the department of Journalism, Mass Media Studies and Public Relations, that highlighted many of Stephanopolous’s educational and political achievements, ABC’s chief Washington correspondent took the stage to enlighten the audience with his political insights.
Stephanopoulos graduated from Columbia University with a degree in political science and continued his education at Oxford University where he obtained a graduate degree in theology. His political savvy stems from 26 years of serving in and around Washington DC. He first came into the public eye when Stephanopoulos worked on Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in the 1990’s.
To begin his speech, Stephanopoulos emphasized the impact of the Internet upon the current presidential election in three distinct ways. First, fund raising for campaigns has become more accessible because online users can easily donate money to the candidate of their choice. This causes the presidential hopefuls to reject public funding more readily and finance their campaigns privately.
Stephanopoulos explained that more voters are able to get news and information faster, which, in turn, decreases voter ignorance. Any person searching information on the election is able to locate it very quickly and with considerable ease. Because more information is more widely accessible, voters have an easier time of informing themselves with less effort.
Lastly, he pointed out that the Internet allows people to “tune in” to what is currently happening. More than ever, he said, people are paying attention to this election because they want to get involved and that the Internet has undeniably shaped the election in that way.
Stephanopoulos then focused on analyzing each candidate and what it will take for them to win the election. ABC’s correspondent asserted that the issue of the economy will prove to be the deciding factor in the election and whichever candidate addresses it best will win. According to statistics Stephanopoulos cited, the state of the economy is the primary issue that Americans are concerned about.
More specifically looking at each candidate, Stephanopoulos indicated that McCain’s advantage lies in his aura of safety, centered around his senate experience and his military service. He cited Obama’s advantage as his ability to motivate traditionally non-voting groups, like 18- to 29-year-olds and African Americans, to go out to the polls when the time comes. Although he indicated that the public is afraid of another George W. Bush in the white house, they could have a tendency to feel safer with McCain’s senate experience and military service.
In addition, Stephanopoulos said that the debates will play into the election heavily. Whichever candidate is able to present themselves in a better light during the debates stands to have a heavy advantage at the poll, according to the correspondent. Stephanopoulos also indicated that debates are garnering more and more viewers, increasing the chance that they will play a strong part in determining the next president because more people are choosing them as the manner in which they inform themselves on the issues.
As Stephanopoulos finished his speech and opened the floor for questions, he was met by a round of applause from the packed audience. Freshman Brittany Diamond said that she “enjoyed his sense of humor and his ability to capture the audience.”