election style

In my art history class, the teacher asked us to think about how design and advertising are being used in this presidential election. I started thinking about how the candidates are trying to portray themselves and each other. Barack Obama is clearly depicted as the hopeful, intelligent, common man of America who can make big changes happen in this country. John McCain is portrayed as experienced, wise and traditional.
It is also very interesting to look at the negative advertisement out there for both parties, the perceived weaknesses that rivals try to highlight and use negatively to influence the public. Opponents of McCain use his republican views to make it seem like his term would be simply a continuation of Bush's. Obamas opponents attack him as radical or inexperienced.