The Bradley Effect

by H. Goldman

As I noted in my previous piece, "The Iowa Paradox," a sort of Bradley effect could affect voters with Conservative stances on social and socioeconomic issues. This effect does in fact exist and, therefore, could decrease the size of Senator Obama's voting block in states such as Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Colorado, etc. I have noticed that many voters, even admittedly, are changing their previous decisions for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Abortion:

Senator McCain's use of the phrase "pro-abortion" rather than "pro-choice" in the third debate has had a subconscious effect on voters, such that can cause a prolonged mental colloquy of the type that can, in certain undecided or centrist voters, only conclude in one way: "Obama is pro-abortion and supports the deaths of children." This, of course, is completely untrue, but, combined with the subtle politicization of many churches, (Evangelical and not,) it can persuade such voters to revoke their support for Obama and reallocate it to McCain.

The politicization of churches has been a rampant issue that does not get nearly enough press time. Politicized churches need to be told definitively: the separation of church and state is as relevant in the pulpit as it is in the Oval Office. Thus, if you do not respect this separation, you will lose your tax exempt status.

2. Socialism:

Ever since Senator McCain began to exploit Americans' baseless fear of socialism, (I agree with Senator Sanders when he says that Democratic Socialism is a good idea,) such voters as those that I have previously mentioned have begun to believe that an Obama Presidency "would keep Americans from achieving the American dream" and "create a Marxist state." This is a direct result of our failing education system. We need to teach our students that Marxism is not socialism, Stalinism is a distorted totalitarian interpretation of Marxism, and that unchecked capitalism is as sure to fail as communism.

3. Islam

Yet another product of our failed education system, Americans' antipathy toward Islam and universal diplomacy has proved to be a sentiment ripe for exploitation. This exploitation has become rampant during the final days of this election and should not be taken lightly.

No matter who wins this election, we need to address these issues, so maybe voters in 2012 or 2016 will not succumb to the widespread antipathy and misinformation seen in this one.