- Many people thought that the Obama effect would alter the election at the last moment, however they proved to be incorrect.
Obama effect
noun; derivation
A modern adaptation of the Bradley effect in relation to political science. The effect occurs during the polling stage of an election, where the general public states that they would vote for a black candidate to appear politically correct, yet when the election comes around they fail to place the vote. This results in an outcome very different than the polling results predict.
Etymology : from Bradley effect, originally named after 1982 Los Angeles mayoral candidate, Tom Bradley, who is said to be the first politician to suffer this effect.
Source : Rice University Poli 315 lecture
Last modified: 2 December 2008