Key Findings:
1. ’Gender’ trumps ‘Race’
2. Experience is issue with Obama
3. Obama Muslim rumors persist
Austin, TX, USA October 13, 2008 – In an analysis completed just weeks before the US Presidential Elections, the Global Language Monitor has announced that Change, Climate Change & Bailout stood atop the Top Political Buzzwords List released earlier today.
It also found that ‘Gender’ now trumps ‘Race’, while questions about ‘experience’ remain an issue for both parties with Obama receiving 2.4 times more citations than Palin. The analysis also determined that frequently discounted Obama Muslim-related rumors continue to persist, actually moving up on the chart.
As this election cycle swings into its final phase, once again we are the seeing that the latest headlines are not always indicative of what is actually happening in the global print and electronic media, on the Internet and throughout the Blogosphere. As in 2004, those paying too much attention to the ’24 Hour News Cycle’ are apt to miss the larger trends that will play a decisive role in the outcome of this election”, said Paul JJ Payack, President and Chief Word Analyst of the Global Language Monitor.
The complete list of Top Political Buzzwords, with ranking and commentary follow.
| PQI Oct 7, 2008 | Comment | |
| Rank | ||
| 1 | Change | No 1 for the entire election Cycle; good bet for Word of the Year |
| 2 | Climate Change | Bigger than ‘Bailout’ bigger than ‘Recession’ |
| 3 | Bailout | Not even on the radar 90 days ago |
| 4 | Recession | World economy imploding but still not officially a ‘recession’ |
| 5 | Experience | Obama’s experience questioned 2.4 X more than that of Palin |
| 6 | Gasoline | Though prices are dropping, still No. 5 |
| 7 | Subprime | How we got into this mess in the first place |
| 8 | Obama Muslim Connection | A persistent topic in Cyberspace; up 7 spots |
| 9 | Gender | Up 12 spots; more of an issue than ‘race’ |
| 10 | Surge | One of the Top Words from ‘07 moving up ’ 08 chart |
| 11 | Obama smoking | Surpirse here; more recognition than one might anticipate |
| 12 | “That one” | Has spurred the Obama base with ‘I’m for That One’ slogans |
| 13 | Lipstick | Any talk of Lipstick seems to spur McCain-Palin base |
| 14 | Al Qaeda | Always lurking beneath the surface |
| 15 | Price of oil | A weaker issue as price declines |
| 16 | Race | Falls from No. 4 in earlier survey as gender gains |
| 17 | Internet fundraising | Loses some luster as it becomes normal (down 8 spots) |
| 18 | Raise taxes | Causes more concern than ‘Cut taxes’ at No. 24 |
| 19 | Jeremiah Wright | Dr. Wright remains on the radar though falling from No. 2 |
| 20 | “Just Words” | Hillary’s comment on Obama still echos through the media |
| 21 | Washington Talking Heads | Still in the Top Twenty, falling from No. 16. |
| 22 | Hockey Mom | Causes headlines but not a top issue |
| 23 | Nuclear Iran | Jumps into the Top 25 as issue persists |
| 24 | Palin Swimsuit | Thankfully falls behind ‘Nuclear Iran’ as issue |
| 25 | Rezko | Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko breaks into Top 25 |
| 25 | Cut taxes | Not so much of a hot button as ‘Raise Taxes’ at No. 17 |
For more on the Myth of the Twenty-four Hours News Cycle
The Top Political Buzzwords for the 2006 Midterm Elections included: Throes, Quagmire,
Credibility, Global Warming, and Insurgency.
The Top Political Buzzwords from the 2004 Presidential Campaign included: Swift Boats,
Flip Flop, Quagmire, Fahrenheit 911, Misleader, and Liar!