by Ben Torpey | Mar 19, 2021 | Ozean Media, Political Research
Science Friday: Evangelical Support for Trump and Church Attendance
To the average politico, it is no surprise that 80% of self-identified white evangelical voters supported Donald Trump in 2016 – a trend that continued in 2020 where exit polls showed 76-81% of the group supported Trump. Simple explanations could explain this trend but an article I read in grad school sparked a different potential answer to such high levels of support.
Church is the most widespread form of voluntary community affiliation in the United States. An academic article titled, “Churches as Political Communities” by lead author Kenneth Wald (1988) investigated how different church settings significantly impact the political ideology of attendees. Specifically, the authors investigated 21 protestant churches in Gainesville, Florida, ranging from “universalist” themed congregations to “traditional” congregations.
Results
The big takeaway from the study is that those who attend ideologically conservative churches are 3x more likely to identify with political conservatism. Why? The reason for conservatism spreading in church settings is the socialization and face-to-face interactions among church attendees. Put more simply, the more time you spend in a certain environment, the more likely you are to absorb and conform to the values and behaviors in that environment.
Therefore, although a study has not been conducted specifically relating to support for Trump, it is entirely possible that the protestant evangelical support for Trump is directly connected to church attendance and the ideological nature of protestant congregations.
by Alex Patton | Dec 21, 2020 | Ozean Media
“Thinking warmly of each of you and wishing your family an extra measure of comfort, joy, and hope this Christmas.”
Midnight Mass is one of my favorite times of the year. The tradition, the music, the peacefulness, and the quiet reflection – just a specific time to give yourself permission to fill your your heart with wonder and joy.
For us Midnight Mass is a family tradition with my mother only wanting all her children and grandchildren to attend together, and I truly treasurer the moments and memories.
Like many of you, COVID-19 has altered or eliminated traditional Christmas plans and activities. Like some of you, in times of quiet reflection this holiday season, I have to make a conscious choice to find the joy in the moment. Yes, I will miss Midnight Mass with my family this year terribly, but I am choosing to be full of gratitude and hope.
The Ozean team is thankful for each of you, and it is our sincere hope that especially in this crazy year, Christmas finds a new, different, and exciting way to fill your heart with comfort, joy, and hope.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Alex
by Alex Patton | Jan 11, 2018 | Ozean Media
I was asked yesterday “Whatcha reading?”
Here is the 2017 Q4 Reading list:
- Principles by Ray Dalio- GREAT business/life book. I wish I would have read it before I ever started any businesses.
- The Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinow – A look at how randomness, probabilities, and uncertainty affect our lives.
- How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg – A dense read about math, decision making, and thinking. I need to re-read this one, but I enjoyed the challenge and the writing. Been chewing on the concepts for weeks.
- On Writing by Stephen King – part autobiography, part how to write, part how to edit (with examples), part how to structure your work, and part screed against adverbs. At times, hilarious. Easy read, enjoyed very much.
- Rat F**ked by David Daley – about the most political process known to politics: the process of drawing political districts. Remember: one party’s map is another party’s gerrymander.
- Slingshot: The Defeat of Eric Cantor by Lauren Cohen Bell and David Elliot Meyer- a deep dive into the Cantor defeat/Brat win. Short, accessible, and must read for political nerds.
- Break Your Invisible Chains: Own The Power Of Your Story by Brandon Telg, Jaron Jones, Carly Barnes – local Gainesville authors about storytelling. Offers writing prompts on how to tell your story and the importance of stories.
Book Awards:
Most Enjoyable Read: On Writing
Read that has stayed with me for weeks: How Not to Be Wrong
Need to Read Again: How Not to Be Wrong
Most relevant to political nerds – Slingshot
Book(s) I wished I read much sooner: TIE: Principles / How Not to be Wrong
Best Title: Rat F**ked
note: The links on this page are NOT affiliate links and are provided for your convenience.
by Alex Patton | Oct 26, 2017 | Ozean Media
A long time ago, we were going to change the world. We decided we had enough of that stuffy corporate world with its salary, benefits, and ample cash flow. We thought we had a good business plan, we thought we had completed the research – and we jumped. We started our own company, and damn it we were going to change the world.
Now, what to call this company?
Our brainstorming led us to German words.
The two founders of the company had strong ties to Germany – specifically Heidelberg, Germany. Alex Patton, Ozean’s co-founder, attended high school in Heidelberg (go lions!), and Ozean’s other founder was born in Heidelberg.
As a side note, Heidelberg, Germany is beautiful, and you should visit!
Ahh…inspiration was taking over.
Several rounds of brainstorming later, we came across “Ozean”. Ozean made PERFECT sense to us.
“Ozean” is the German word for “Ocean.” O•ze•an, pronounced Ozean!
THEN inspiration met cockiness – we were going to change the world by “making waves”….
BOOM! A company was named, a logo made complete with waves, and a brand birthed.
Fast forward years later, and I still get asked: “What is an Ozean?”, “How in the world did you come up with that name?”, “Can you spell that?”
At times, I wondered if we should have just named the company “AAAA Communications” and been done with it.
It begs the questions, “Do you name a company for personal reasons, name it for your potential customers, or does it really matter?”
In this case, every time I am asked, I explain the origin story. I would like to think it is somewhat memorable.
Regardless of whether it is memorable or not, the name is meaningful to us.
I’d like to believe we have matured from “making waves” to “Navigating to Victory – even the hard ones” but that evolution story is for another day!
Well, now you know….the origins Ozean. – a name inspired by Heidelberg, Germany, and cockiness (maybe naiveté).
PS. You really should plan a trip to Heidelberg, you’ll thank us!
by Alex Patton | Nov 21, 2013 | Ozean Media
Ozean announces Political Library
Announcing the opening of Ozean’s central repository & political library
We have heard your request, and we are making some small changes to our website.
As you may know, we love the science of politics. We are true political nerds, and we embrace that aspect of our personalities.
Many of our blog posts are driven by what political studies, political research, or political books we are currently reading. Some are even driven by Ozean Media’s original research.
Over the past year, we have been asked repeatedly to create a central library of our research.
You asked for one place for all political research, and we listened.
Today, we announce the opening of the official Ozean central repository of all political information & political library.
On one convenient page, you will find Ozean’s Political Case Studies, Ozean’s Original Political Research, and links to any political science studies that Ozean discusses or cites in our political blog.
BTW, did you know Ozean’s blog was listed by Campaigns and Elections Magazine as a must read? You do now!
The political libray is a work in progress, and Ozean hopes you will bring any errors to our attention by contacting Ozean.
Enjoy the homework.
No need to thank us, you’re welcome!
Link to: Ozean’s political library
by Alex Patton | Sep 18, 2013 | Ozean Media, Political Consulting, Political Media, Political Research
Ozean was surprised and honored to be mentioned in Campaigns & Elections Magazine as one of their “Consulting blogs to bookmark”
Ozean Media Political Consulting Blog
Ozean Media itself is not exclusively a political consulting firm, but part of its focus is on Republican political campaigns. The firm devotes a section of its blog to political consulting, and frequently posts updates on topics relevant to the consulting world. Be sure to check out the Friday posts where the blog goes in search of a “Eureka” moment.
