Description

Obama / Clinton Spin Room Candidate Signs:

Every four years, like clockwork, the presidential election cycle takes place in America. With it comes a host of candidates vying for the top position of chief executive of the United States. Standing in the way is an obstacle course of debates. Contenders must successfully survive the debates before gaining a spot in the general election matchup.

During the 2008 cycle, there were a total of twenty-six Democratic debates held across the country. The top two candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, faced off in twenty-five of these contests – the final six encounters featured just the two of them.

These debates serve as a weeding out process. As pundits pick apart performances, including facial gestures and other body language, viewers wait for the participants to make errors. The moments when a candidate makes a huge misstatement – or a notably witty comeback – are considered the highlights of a debate. These soundbites have historically made headlines and changed poll numbers.

Following the debate, the campaigns have a second chance at framing what just occurred. The “Spin Room” is a space where candidates or their representatives can meet with the media and answer any questions regarding their candidate’s performance. Due to the large number of debate participants, signs are made to help the media clearly identify candidates from a distance.

CNN co-sponsored seven Democratic debates during the 2008 election cycle and made up these Clinton and Obama signs for identification purposes. I acquired them from the Spin Room following a debate. These same signs were used for an exhibit called “Every Four Years” that ran in 2012 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.