Obama, McCain: A Political Brand Analysis by Brad VanAuken, BrandForward, Inc. November 2008
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Between October 28 and October 31, we surveyed Branding Strategy Insider blog readers regarding the McCain and Obama brands.

99 people responded to the survey. Those people represent 29 states and DC, with a heavier mix from NY, CA and FL. 59.6% were male, while 40.4% were female.

Ages ranged from 18 years old to 74 years old. 61.2% were married.

The average household income skewed high. The mode was $100,000-$149,999.

Political party registration was as follows: 35.4% Democratic, 21.2% Republican, 21.2% none, 18.2% Independent, 4% other.

Given the respondent mix and the ending sample size, the data is directional but not projectable.

We explored 27 personality attributes and 35 platform issues. The personality attributes included those most often associated with strong brands (trustworthy, reliable, etc.) and those most often used by the candidates in describing themselves and each other. The 35 platform issues were taken from the platforms of the five largest political parties.

We first wanted to understand which personality attributes and platform issues were the most desired in selecting a president. They are as follows:

Related to that, we wanted to understand the least desirable attributes. They are as follows:

Then we asked people to what degree each of those attributes and issues were descriptive of each of the two presidential candidates.

Of the fifteen most desirable qualities of a presidential candidate, nine of them were perceived to highly describe Barak Obama: intelligent, supports alternative energy development, innovative, believes in diplomacy, pro-education, supports job creation, cares about the environment, has a well articulated political platform and compassionate. The other six were perceived to moderately describe Barak Obama. Of the fifteen most desirable qualities, fourteen were perceived to moderately describe John McCain. While one quality, innovation, was perceived to minimally describe John McCain.

Of the ten least desirable qualities, two were perceived to moderately describe Barak Obama: controlled by special interests and supports pork barrel legislation. The rest were perceived to minimally describe Barak Obama. Of the ten least desirable qualities, one was perceived to highly describe John McCain: uses fear to motivate. Five were perceived to somewhat describe John McCain: has lost his way, selfish, controlled by special interests, angry and supports companies over people. The rest were perceived to minimally describe John McCain.

Overall, the qualities that were perceived to best describe John McCain relate to strength/force and patriotism (believes in a strong military, cares about national security, patriotic and supports the right to bear arms). Other top qualities relate to being traditional and conservative and supporting business (pro-business, supports a free market system without government intervention, supports free trade, supports small business, supports companies over people). John McCain is also perceived to use fear to motivate, one of the least desirable qualities in selecting a president.

Barka Obama is perceived to be intelligent and on the rise. Other qualities that were perceived to best describe him relate to his position on specific issues (supports universal health care, supports a woman’s right to abortion, supports alternative energy development, pro-education, will provide a safety net to the poor, etc.). Two qualities related to change were also perceived to highly describe him: for change and offers new ways of thinking about the world. Barak Obama is also perceived to believe in diplomacy and to be liberal.

Liberal was the least descriptive quality for John McCain, while conservative was the least descriptive quality for Barak Obama. Neither presidential candidate was perceived to be weak, naive or a religious fundamentalist.

As this analysis clearly points out, there are significant differences between the two political candidate brands. John McCain is perceived to be more traditional, conservative and pro-business while Barak Obama is perceived to be more liberal, progressive and an agent for change. It would seem that John McCain’s brand would be more appealing to those who are motivated primarily by fear, while Barak Obama’s brand would appeal more to those who are hoping for positive change. Barak Obama’s brand is perceived to be much more closely aligned with the qualities the respondents to this survey say they most desire of a president.

This survey was created, fielded, and analyzed by Brad VanAuken, author of Brand Aid.

Brad VanAuken is president and founder of BrandForward, Inc., a full-service brand management consultancy with clients throughout the world. Previously, Brad was the vice president of marketing for Element K, a leading e-learning company and director of brand management and marketing for Hallmark Cards, Inc. During his tenure as Hallmark’s chief brand advocate, Hallmark received the Brand Management of the Year award. Recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on brand management and marketing, Brad is a much sought after speaker and writer. He wrote the books The Brand Management Checklist and Brand Aid. His free online brand management and marketing newsletter is read by thousands of marketers throughout the world. Brad has a BS degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Email: vanauken@brandforward.com
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