Elections and Campaign: John Hall and New Yorks 19th district

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: USA, grade: A, Ohio University (Political Science), course: Elections and Campaigns, language: English, abstract: 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.