2014 Gubernatorial Campaign Plan for James Walker - Research Paper Example

? Campaign Plan Campaign Plan of the candi James Walker who is also popularly known by his nick name “Big Jim” is a Republican candidate and a former Texas Ranger. The 42 year old politician has a mixed family roots since his father is a White American while his mother is said to be a Latino. Big Jim is married with two children and is currently a resident of San Antonio City, the second largest city in Texas and the administrative capital of Bexar County. While in High school, Walker demonstrated good interpersonal and leadership skills and he consequently served in a number of leadership positions. These positions not only gave him the necessary leadership skills but also widened his eyes to public service. After completing his law degree at Virginia School of law in 1986, He served briefly as a Texas Ranger before he became a renowned business man in Bexar County. As a former Ranger, Jim Walker acquired the characters associated with rangers such as determination, courage, dedication, integrity and respect for others. Finally as an active Republican activist, Mr. Walker has also been elected to chair several committees and has been in the fore front campaigning for the enactment of several statues benefiting majority of the citizens in Texas. The republican candidate is currently considered as one of the ideal gubernatorial candidates of the year 2014 many people across the political divide. James Walker (Big Jim). Regional and cultural support With regard to the regional and cultural diversity of the modern state of Texas, our campaign plan will take into account the varying needs of various regions and cultures across the vast State. The main regions of Texas such as the Big Bend County, Panhandle plains, Prairies, Gulf Coast and the Pineywoods among other regions all have significant variations with regard to their economic activities and interests. Each of the regions is distinguished by different levels of prosperity, types of monetary activity, different political cultures, racial and cultural mix. Furthermore, East Texas and West Texas both are Texan, but have differences not only with each other but also from South Texas and Urban Texas. Generally the complex interplay between the diverse cultural, economic, historical, geographic and institutional as well as the social forces has continued to define the politics of Texas particularly the regional and cultural support for the candidates of various political offices in the State (Drake, 2011). Mr. James Walker is likely to experience some problems in his campaigns in regions such as Urban Texas which generally have greater economic activity and are known to favor candidates who favor economic liberalism. The other regions where Mr. Walker will also have an uphill task include South Texas Plains and Big Bend Country. This is because many voters believe Republicans are unlikely to enact economic liberalization policies since Republicans are considered to be conservatives. Consequently most of the Urban Texas regions have always been known to lean towards Democrats because their policies advocate for more economic liberalization. As a politician who favors social conservatism, Walker will most likely do well in the rural regions of Texas where many people favor politicians who advocate for the restoration of traditional moralism and values. Additionally the Republican Party has strong influence in regions like Panhandle plains and Hill Country and therefore the people of these regions are most likely to vote Big James and people who pursue Individualistic political culture such as Mr. James Walker. Demographic support Demographic variation will also play a sign9ificant role in the2014 gubernatorial campaigns of James Walker. This is particularly with regard to the fact that the vast territory with a culturally diverse population that consist of people with various ethnic and racial backgrounds (Scharrer, 2011). Texas has a diverse demographic distribution which is largely made up of the whites, African Americans, American Indians, Asians and Hispanics. Although the Majority of the populations in Texas are the non Hispanic whites, most parts of the eastern regions of Texas are occupied by Blacks while the Southern regions are largely made up of Hispanic populations. In most parts of Texas, the economic development and income per capita significantly varies across the ethic and racial divide with a majority of the poor being the members of the Afro American and immigrant communities such as the Latinos. For example a recent survey indicates that regions such as the South Texas towards the border have the highest poverty levels. With the populations in these areas mostly being Latinos, some of these areas are also known to have conservative communities and are therefore likely to overwhelmingly vote for politicians like James Walker who favor social conservatism. Although many Americans across the demographic divide are increasingly becoming cynical about the politicians, James Walker will most likely win the votes of the poor and low class communities both in the eastern and Southern regions of Texas. These regions whose populations are largely made up of the mostly conservative Hispanic immigrants and Blacks will easily identify with the republican policies which are championed by Mr. Walker. On the other hand, Walker’s campaign will face a significant challenge to gain support from the wealthy elites in Texas who are mostly whites because a majority of the members of this social group are believed to be associated with the ideologies of Democrats rather than Republicans. Finally It may also be difficult to win the votes of some members of the black community who historically do not vote for white candidates due to their perceived racial prejudice against African Americans. Campaign Themes and issues In order to carry out a successful campaign, our campaign team will focus on themes that resonate with various diverse social groups across many regions of Texas. In this regard, the three main campaign themes will include economic liberalism, social conservatism and populism. With regard to the theme of economic liberalism, supporters will likely want to elect leaders whom they believe will champion the establishment of free market economic policies in Texas (Stiles, 2010)). In most parts of Texas, the racial minorities and women have historically been marginalized both politically and economically. It is however worth noting that women and racial minorities such as the Hispanic immigrants and Blacks together form a huge voting block that can significantly contribute to the success of Big Jim’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign. One of our campaign strategies will be to identify with economic problems that are currently affecting majority of Texans and develop policies that will help fight unemployment and eliminate the racial disparities in the income per capita such as through tax subsidies. The campaign will also identify and use phrases that will capture the highest number of swing voters possible. On the themes of social conservatism, some of the issues that will be important in the campaigns of James Walker include matters of family values, the issue of gay rights, abortion. According to Ferguson (1997), most of the communities living in Texas strongly identify with family values as well as the respect to the society in general. Consequently in order to win the swing voters particularly among the conservative communities and guarantee the success of Big Jim, our campaign will be based on the traditional views of family and the church as well as their important roles in the society. Finally the campaign will largely focus on the important issues affecting the communities living in Texas and will not be drawn into personality issues such as rumors domestic abuse by some of the opponents. Conclusion In conclusion, just like in the case of Bill White and Rick Perry, James Walker (Big Jim) will face a formidable opposition from the other opponents in the gubernatorial race but he will eventually win the campaigns due to his strong base in San Anonio( The second largest city in Texas) as well as due to his Hispanic roots that will give him an upper hand in the Southern regions of Texas. References Bruce Drake. (2011). Rick Perry Keeps the Advantage over Bill White in Texas Governor’s Race. Retrieved June 27, from. http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/26/rick-perry-keeps-the-advantage-over-bill-white-in-texas-governor/ Ferguson, C. (1997). The Politics of Ethics and Elections. Florida State University Law Review. 25, 463-503. Stiles, M. (2010). 2010 Texas Governor’s Race Maps. Retrieved June 27, from http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2010-general-election/2010-texas-governors-race-maps/ Scharrer, G.(2011). Texas demographer: It's basically over for Anglos. Houston Chronicle, 24,2, 3-6. Read More