Title: Fear and Loathing on the Social Campaign Trail
Abstract: What are voters afraid of on the eve of the 2012 election? Fear is one of the most freely expressed forms of sentiment in social media. This “Voice of the Voter” presentation looks social data collected in the final week of October and speaks to the nature and salience of fear among the electorate. Bridging political and computational science, Dr. Shulman will present a frightening array of scenarios predicted in the Tweets and Facebook updates as the final phase of the campaign transpires.
Be afraid. Be very politically afraid. Then, please join millions of others already scared out of their wits and express yourself on social media about the approaching election. Results to be posted here October 30th, 2012.
Why the “Sheep’s Clothing”? Say what you mean. Fear Conservatives. Since 1980 the American electorate has voted in 3 Republican presidents; A total of 20 years of “Conservative” administrations. One could conclude that A) Republicans are extremely inept at instituting their evil and fearful policies,or B) They are not evil and should not be feared.
On the opposite side, the Progressives continue their “Long March” through history. Socialized healthcare, control over major industries, stifiling regulations on business and on and on. The Progressive movements success is undeniable and impressive. I can only add a suggestion
Save your earnings. The Romney administration may not be so forthcoming with research grants into Democratic talking points.
JT
I think political fear cuts across the spectrum. Folks at the extreme left and right are terrified of the other side. Folks in the moderate ideological positions are terrified of the party extremes. Fear is everywhere you look in American political discourse.