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Wedge Issues and Elitism

James Croft

Politics and Media

4/21/08

Journal 3: Wedge Issues and Elitism


I find it interesting how easy the media and politicians are to point fingers at each other. Recently, Obama made a PR blunder saying that blue-collar workers in Pennsylvania “cling” to their bibles and their guns, and that they are disenchanted with the political system. Because of these words, his opponents both on the democratic and republican sides have labeled and portrayed him as an elitist. With the way the media has portrayed the situation it is easy to assume such.

In reality, Obama was talking about a real phenomena studied in political science circles. The phenomenon is the Wedge Issue. A wedge issue is any issue in which the public is emotionally attached to, and tends to polarize the electorate. Campaigners and politicians will often use these issues to build up a base of voters to their campaigns and bolster their support. Some issues identified as wedge issues include abortion, gun control, flag burning, prayer in schools, and other controversial topics.

I find the tactic shameless. Using these divisive tactics in order to distract the populace and luring them toward your candidate is nothing short of cheating. This cloak and dagger form of campaigning is manipulation, and should be frowned upon. Obama may not of said this in the most eloquent and politically correct way, but he was pointing out a legitimate discrepancy in the American political system. This phenomenon is certainly a hindrance to his efforts in the campaign.

Republicans are the most common users of this tactic and use these issues frequently to pull voters from the Democratic Party. Now which is shadier? What Obama said, or what the Republicans are guilty of? In my eyes, the Republicans.

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