In 2006, New York’s 19th district was facing one of the most competitive races in its history. The incumbent Sue Kelly was challenged by Democrat John Hall. She had to learn that, even in new campaigning times, everything is still about relations – relations to the right, and relations to the wrong people. Her close ties to the Bush administration, her vote against gay marriage, and the relation to the Mark Foley Page Scandal caused some serious problems for Sue Kelly’s reelection. In contrast to that, John Hall came from the back. Hardly anyone believed, that he could unseat a twelve-year incumbent. He used his relations to the music industry, and later to strong party leaders, to persuade voters. The Congressional Election in 2006 is also a symbol for the importance of the media. If you know, how to present yourself, the media can boost you; if you don’t, the media can destroy you.
Furthermore the national trend showed, that Democrats across the country were likely to gain seats in Congress. But still, both parties, the Republicans and the Democrats didn’t expect Sue Kelly’s seat to be in danger. The outcome shows, that they were wrong.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The candidates
- The district
- It's all about relations
- Primaries
- Fundraising
- The campaign
- Riding on the Anti-Bush-Wave
- Your opponent's past
- The vote against gay marriage
- The Mark Foley Page Scandal
- Coping with the media
- John Hall in the spotlight
- Where is Sue Kelly?
- Did that influence the campaign?
- The election and the days after
- What can be learned?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text examines the 2006 Congressional election in New York's 19th district, focusing on the competitive race between incumbent Republican Sue Kelly and Democratic challenger John Hall. The text analyzes the factors that contributed to Hall's victory, including his campaign strategies, the influence of the media, and the national political climate. Key themes explored include:- The importance of relationships in political campaigns
- The role of fundraising in electoral success
- The impact of media coverage on campaign outcomes
- The influence of national political trends on local elections
- The significance of local issues in shaping campaign dynamics
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The candidates
This chapter introduces the two main candidates in the 2006 Congressional election: John Hall, a former musician and anti-nuclear activist, and Sue Kelly, a long-term incumbent Republican. The chapter highlights their backgrounds, political stances, and reputations within the district.The district
This chapter provides an overview of New York's 19th district, outlining its demographics, political history, and local issues. The chapter also discusses the changing electorate and the emergence of a new generation of voters.It's all about relations
This chapter examines the importance of relationships in the campaign, focusing on the role of primaries and fundraising. The chapter analyzes the different strategies employed by John Hall and Sue Kelly to build relationships with voters, donors, and party leaders.The campaign
This chapter discusses the key events and strategies of the campaign, including the impact of the national anti-Bush sentiment, the use of negative campaigning, and the role of the media in shaping public perception.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This text focuses on the key themes of relationships, fundraising, media, national political trends, and local issues in the context of a specific Congressional election. Key terms and concepts explored include: primaries, fundraising, media coverage, anti-Bush sentiment, and local issues such as nuclear energy and abortion rights.- Quote paper
- Carolin Biebrach (Author), 2008, Elections and Campaign: John Hall and New Yorks 19th district, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/129182
