...So Goes the Nation (2006)

...So Goes the Nation Poster

A look at the role of the Buckeye State in the 2004 Presidential Election.

Film Overview
"... So Goes the Nation" is an engaging political documentary directed by James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo in 2006. The film gives a thorough scrutiny into the American electoral procedure by checking out the highly volatile 2004 U.S. Presidential election in Ohio, a battleground state whose result foreshadowed the entire election result.

The documentary presents a microcosmic understanding of the larger political environment in America, illuminating how campaign techniques, public opinion, and media impact affect elections. Its title is based upon the phrase "As Ohio goes, so goes the nation" and shows the crucial political importance of Ohio.

Political Battleground
The film is structured around an evaluation of the Ohio campaigning strategies of the two main political celebrations: Democrats and Republicans. It exposes how each party sought to influence public perception through messaging, issue-framing, and grassroots efforts. Interviews with major gamers, consisting of strategists, political leaders, and regular citizens, are woven throughout, providing a rich, comprehensive view of American politics.

The documentary concentrates on Ohio because of its status as a battlefield state in 2004, capturing the heightened tensions and behind-the-scenes maneuvers inherent in an extreme political race. Diversity amongst Ohio voters also makes the state a fascinating case study to check out the polarisation and fragmentation in the U.S.'s political landscape.

Campaigning Techniques
"... So Goes the Nation" takes the audience behind the scenes of the campaigning procedure. It presents the enormous effort, strategic thinking, and the power of convincing messaging that enters into marketing. The documentary provides real-time testimonials from campaign strategists on both sides, revealing the methods of mobilizing voters along ideological and party lines.

It likewise details how messaging and engaging voters contribute to marketing. The film explains that celebration commitment is not enough of a driving factor to secure the bulk of votes; for this reason, grassroots campaigning techniques, consisting of comprehensive door-to-door canvassing, are made use of to combine votes and swing public belief.

Media Impact and Public Opinion
The documentary highlights the significant role that media plays in shaping public opinion during elections. It shows how celebrations use media as a tool to control stories, prompt fear, and polarize audiences. The influence of political advertisements, television disputes, and unrelenting news coverage is represented as an important part of the 2004 election.

Popular opinion, as shown in the film, is affected by a wide range of factors - from individual beliefs and local concerns to nationwide events and media stories. Through candid interviews with citizens, the movie offers insights into what aspects affected their voting choices.

Conclusion
By delving deep into the political battleground of Ohio throughout the contentious 2004 election, "... So Goes the Nation" offers a gripping and insightful journey into the American political system. The democratizing power of the normal citizen, juxtaposed with high-stakes election strategies and the prevalent impact of media, paints a fascinating image of the fascinating, yet complicated, nature of U.S. politics. Though embeded in the context of 2004, the film's styles and observations stay strikingly pertinent, making it a must-watch for anybody captivated by the complexities of American political projects.

Top Cast

  • William Bacon
    Self
  • James Baker III
    Self (archive footage)
  • Bob Beckwith
    Self (archive footage)
  • Paul Begala (small)
    Paul Begala
    Self
  • Osama Ben Laden (small)
    Osama Ben Laden
    Self (archive footage)
  • Ken Blackwell
    Self (archive footage)
  • Wolf Blitzer (small)
    Wolf Blitzer
    Self (archive footage)
  • John Boehner (small)
    John Boehner
    Self
  • Steve Buscemi (small)
    Steve Buscemi
    Self
  • George W. Bush (small)
    George W. Bush
    Self
  • George H.W. Bush (small)
    George H.W. Bush
    Self (archive footage)