Swing states– text

Campaign Events

the image above graphically represents the campaign trail of both major canidates for the 2008 presidential election.  obama is represented by the blue pattern and mccain is represented by the red pattern.  by using resources such as the washington post, i compiled the number of events held in each state of the continental united states.  the set of conditions illustrated show the overlapping and interweaving of how many times each canidate visited the state contextually showing where a majority of their campaigning attention was given.  this also represents where both canidates overlapped and/or divided their focus.  the extremes of the conditions range from 178 events/visits to 0.

2004 vs 2008

mapping

This 3D model shows a comparison between the election in 2004 and the current election.

3D Mapping

The graphic maps a comparison between a poll done by SurveyUSA for the state of Ohio and the overall national trend for the 2008 Presidential election, from January to November 2008, as compiled by Pollster.com.   I chose to create the graph of the poll statistics for Ohio using by cubes, as they can be stacked and displaced to represent a margin of error that comes with pre-election polls.  Furthermore, they are also the “building blocks” that make up the national polls, which is why I chose to represent them as larger and generally more consistent, sweeping elements that weave through the Ohio poll.  The grey rectangles a 10% range in which most of the information falls (between 40 and 50%).

exercise 6

Swing States (seems to be a popular trend..)

I mapped data from the swing states only to look at how often each candidate (McCain and Obama only) visited each place. At the bottom, I mapped both McCain and Obama in popularity polls against the rising gas prices. I found this to be a relevant statistic because of economic factors and the candidate’s differing policies on energy. I made two images, one including the states where the data corresponds, and one with no context. Any comments on which is more successful? As a diagram, it is better without the states because it can be interpreted differently and is more about the spatial relationships and clustering of data, but having the states allows you to read it as a political message– showing who visited what state more and whether the end polls were leaning republican or democrat.