How the campaigns might target a family in, say, Ballard (Seattle)

[icymist]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/173958_dataside19.html

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

How the campaigns might target a family in, say, Ballard

By CHARLES POPE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON -- John Doe is a 50-year-old accountant living a quiet middle class life in Ballard. Jane Doe is interested in preserving local parks and maintaining the community's fine schools. They own their home and have two children at home, a teenager attending a Catholic school and a 20-year-old.

For Republicans and Democrats, this mythical family is both a jumble of conflicting signals and a juicy target, a family that could go either way in the presidential election.

Here is how data mining might be used to target them:

Jane Doe might get some mail or phone calls from Republicans, talking about President Bush's proposal to provide school vouchers to private schools.

John Doe, a registered gun owner, might hear from Democrats highlighting John Kerry's support for gun rights.

And likely both parties would take strong notice of 20-year-old John Doe Jr., who fits into a demographic they consider the Holy Grail of potential voters. He probably would get hit with appeals through some of his favorite media -- the Internet or pop music.

(more)

[napi21]

1. You forgot the cost of John Jr. college just went up 47%.

That little tidbit affects the whole family! It would swing the vote to Kerry.