I think it's the lack of sound, but I found this really, really effective. I love ignoring Sarah Palin until the final week, and then turning that "starbursts" wink against them. It really is the essence of unseriousness.
About time, I'd say. I can't believe a bigger deal wasn't made about a VP candidate winking at the camera multiple times. I hope the McCain camp raises a stink about how this is sexist or something. The more attention brought to this, the better...
Dang. That silent wink is DEADLY. The Obama team knows what they're doing.
One of my co-workers mentioned his wife (an ardent Obama supporter) is afraid the infomercial is too much. I told him I've given up trying to second-guess the campaign because they always manage to pull off some smart, sly and awesome stuff.
"One of my co-workers mentioned his wife (an ardent Obama supporter) is afraid the infomercial is too much."
You know, I was kind of afraid of the same thing, but your're right, its pointless to second-guess these guys. Also, this informercial really isn't directed at people like us who've had their minds made up for nine months. I think its going to be effective at sealing the victory.
Ambinder wants us to pay close attention to the "heartbeat" playing in the background, the subliminal message, the vital question being: Who is literally a heartbeat away from the presidency?
This video just made my week ... after the election can the obama campaign let the public know who came up with the commercial ideas? lol
and man, i'm scared about the informercial too. politico said its "presidential"... that he's sitting at a wooden desk with a flag waving in the background... i can just see mccain lashing out about "measuring the drapes" or trying that "greek column" crap again ... *shakes fist*
Devastating is right. Attacking Palin right out of the box, as some of the commentariat were howling for, would not have worked a tenth as well as letting her destroy her own credibility. This doesn't feature a word she's said--it lets the viewer fill in their own most-painful Palin gaffe.
As for the big ad--I was initially a bit worried, but I think it's going to be a reprise of the acceptance speech. It's for those remaining undecideds who don't quite feel they know him--this can push the average American family living the American dream thing higher than the Manchurian candidate nonsense.
I like that Palin is such a joke that they don’t even have to say anything about her in the ad, just show a picture of her and people watching are going to be like “yeah, that was an awful pick” on their own.
The infomercial is not targetting political junkies. They are going for those voters who are still undecided about which candidate to vote for or whether to vote at all. They also want to reinforce their position with those who are almost sure they like Obama but could still swing.
It's not a bad idea, in my opinion. It gives the disengaged a chance to catch up and feel they are making an informed decision.
Also, how does it hurt? Are any Obama supporters going to vote for McCain because they think this is not a good tactic?
I did not understand how he could be hard hitting while promising a "new kind of politics" that "brings us all together". That sounded like kumbayah to me, and its a luxury that only a safe incumbent can afford.
But this is a great example of how they hit hard but stay away from the over-the-top stuff. They stick to specifics: He said THAT, then did THIS. But they never call McCain names.
When Obama criticizes the "anything-goes" philosophy of non-regulation of financials, he ties it to Bush and the last 8 years, but not to Republicans. It's the philosophy that isn't working. So if you're a Republican, the door is still open for you to support the change he wants to make.
The thing that makes this ad so good is that even those who like Sarah Palin understand that she isn't an expert on the economy. Which is on everyone's mind now.
As for the Obama special tonight, I've had my moments of thinking it could be too much. On the other hand, every time Obama has had the opportunity to be on national TV, it has helped: think of the debates, especially the last two. When he is right there, speaking about the issues, it makes the "terrorist/socialist/green swamp monster" attacks from McCain look ridiculous.
However, I actually heard a McCain ad last night (I'm in PA) that made sense: it contained the audio of Biden's "international crisis" comment, followed by a long pause, and then simply "It doesn't have to be." (The voice-over comment actually fits well with the end of the Biden remark). Then it just says, "Vote McCain." A much more Obama-like ad.
Of course, this is the experience argument, easily counterpunched as above by reminding voters of Gov. Palin.
All of the martial arts comparisons for the Obama campaign are so spot on.
I just reread a Newsweek article from a couple weeks ago, just as the financial crisis was breaking, and it goes "Why is Obama so calm? The financial crisis hasn't given him any boost in the polls, and he's cool as a cucumber. What gives?" Then it went on to list the ten other times that the campaign was calm in the face of a crisis, always to the campaign's benefit. "But this time could be different! This time he could be... DUN DUN DUN... too cool!" Or something to that effect.
The second guessing is only going to end on Nov. 5th.
One of my co-workers mentioned his wife (an ardent Obama supporter) is afraid the infomercial is too much. I told him I've given up trying to second-guess the campaign because they always manage to pull off some smart, sly and awesome stuff.
Like Al The Shoe Salesman.
Shani-o, My aunt, who has Direct TV, told me last night that Obama has his own channel on there. If having your own TV channel isn't too much, then an infomercial is nothing.
The cats are just too cool for the room. It's hard to be subtle and crushing at the same time, but this ad pulls it off.
I often think that the best comedians are the ones who force you to fill in the punchline in your head. This ad lets you fill in the attack in your thoughts and is far more effective than anything a writer could come up with.
@Jane: Go for it. When's the last time an adversary winked at Putin? or Achmadinejad? Maybe it'll throw them off.
@Margaret: That could have worked if they'd framed Obama as the guy who votes present and doesn't make a move, vs the guy who leaps to decisive action, McCain. But for this to work, McCain needed to look more like Bruce Lee and less like Wile E. Coyote when he leapt into economic action.
Margaret: "The second guessing is only going to end on Nov. 5th."
Sorry to burst your bubble, Margaret, but it won't end even then. If Obama does win, the GOP's reaction will make their anti-Clinton witch hunt in the 90's look like a polite cough. Oh yes, they're going to keep second-guessing President Obama. That's the *nicest* thing they're going to do.
Trust me, the sewer is *really* going to burst open if Obama is elected. Be ready for it.
The worry over the commercial tonight reminds me of when the Obama campaign decided to have him give his acceptance speech in a stadium. And the downright hysteria over the "columns" that were built on the stage.
What I'm saying is, Obama's track record shows that he can pull these kind of moments off.
Shade Tail: Yeah, sorry, should have phrased that: "The second guessing about his ability to win a general election will only end on Nov. 5th." I am fully expecting the onslaught of political knee-capping. It's already starting, really.
It's a good ad, and on point, but I think both you and Andrew need to stop using the word "Devastating" every time Obama says something smart, puts out a good ad, or otherwise calls bullshit on John McCain/Sarah Palin.
It gives the McCain campaign way too much credit, and not enough to the way that Obama's steady hand has won this campaign.
You know, I hope tonight Obama would show clips of those "ordinary" Americans who spoke at Obama's convention on the night of his speech. Unless one watched the full coverage on C-Span, I think people missed some of the most powerful images and messages of the convention. These people would make "Joe The Plumber" look like the phony he is.
The former Hillary supporters now McCain supporters who are announcing that the ad is sexist
somehow find nothing wrong with a woman in a professional setting winking like a cocktail waitress in Vegas.
Here's a piece no one cared about. Meh, whatever, probably the most enjoyable article I did during my stint at TIME. Premiered a month before I got laid-off. The nail in the coffin? Ya think?
Here's me going after Al. I didn't so much have a problem with him, as I had a problem with media acting like this dude was the go-to guy for everything black.
This was my first real story at time. I was writing for the Business section, a real change of direction for me. At any rate, it's about Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize the inner-city. As much as I enjoyed this piece, I mostly enjoyed going out to Chicago, which is a beautiful, beautiful city.
This a piece I did about the cops just outside our nation capitol, in Prince George's County, a few years back. I wanted to offer a counter to the dumb, conventional wisdom that if you paint your police force black, you could eradicate police brutality. In fact, Prince George's--one of the richest, blackest counties in the country--also had one of the most brutal police force's in the country.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
I think the Obama campaign is staffed by political ninjas.
Anyone know what to expect in the Obama infomercial?
Nasty...but oh so nice.
About time, I'd say. I can't believe a bigger deal wasn't made about a VP candidate winking at the camera multiple times. I hope the McCain camp raises a stink about how this is sexist or something. The more attention brought to this, the better...
Dang. That silent wink is DEADLY. The Obama team knows what they're doing.
One of my co-workers mentioned his wife (an ardent Obama supporter) is afraid the infomercial is too much. I told him I've given up trying to second-guess the campaign because they always manage to pull off some smart, sly and awesome stuff.
Like Al The Shoe Salesman.
"One of my co-workers mentioned his wife (an ardent Obama supporter) is afraid the infomercial is too much."
You know, I was kind of afraid of the same thing, but your're right, its pointless to second-guess these guys. Also, this informercial really isn't directed at people like us who've had their minds made up for nine months. I think its going to be effective at sealing the victory.
I would like the "Chill the Bleep Out" poster to reappear.
The ad is pitch perfect. McCain did every bit of that to himself.
Ditto Shani. They've been right too many times. And everyone else has been wrong. I have no idea what to expect tonight.
Ambinder wants us to pay close attention to the "heartbeat" playing in the background, the subliminal message, the vital question being: Who is literally a heartbeat away from the presidency?
That one.
This video just made my week ... after the election can the obama campaign let the public know who came up with the commercial ideas? lol
and man, i'm scared about the informercial too. politico said its "presidential"... that he's sitting at a wooden desk with a flag waving in the background... i can just see mccain lashing out about "measuring the drapes" or trying that "greek column" crap again ... *shakes fist*
Devastating is right. Attacking Palin right out of the box, as some of the commentariat were howling for, would not have worked a tenth as well as letting her destroy her own credibility. This doesn't feature a word she's said--it lets the viewer fill in their own most-painful Palin gaffe.
As for the big ad--I was initially a bit worried, but I think it's going to be a reprise of the acceptance speech. It's for those remaining undecideds who don't quite feel they know him--this can push the average American family living the American dream thing higher than the Manchurian candidate nonsense.
I like that Palin is such a joke that they don’t even have to say anything about her in the ad, just show a picture of her and people watching are going to be like “yeah, that was an awful pick” on their own.
Ya know, it's not just the wink, it's her mouth blathering on about nothing, I think they even sped up the video a bit to make her mouth move faster.
I'm blinded by the starbursts!
I think the silence is BRUTAL
As for Caribou Barbie, the brilliance of that is that it's not computer generated -SHE DID THIS AT A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
people should shudder upon watching the ad
Word, Curtis.
My election prediction: The "I got this" poster will be up on this blog by November 1st. I love that poster.
The infomercial is not targetting political junkies. They are going for those voters who are still undecided about which candidate to vote for or whether to vote at all. They also want to reinforce their position with those who are almost sure they like Obama but could still swing.
It's not a bad idea, in my opinion. It gives the disengaged a chance to catch up and feel they are making an informed decision.
Also, how does it hurt? Are any Obama supporters going to vote for McCain because they think this is not a good tactic?
Hey wait...'devastating' is missing a T!
Re: He's much better than I thought he was
I did not understand how he could be hard hitting while promising a "new kind of politics" that "brings us all together". That sounded like kumbayah to me, and its a luxury that only a safe incumbent can afford.
But this is a great example of how they hit hard but stay away from the over-the-top stuff. They stick to specifics: He said THAT, then did THIS. But they never call McCain names.
When Obama criticizes the "anything-goes" philosophy of non-regulation of financials, he ties it to Bush and the last 8 years, but not to Republicans. It's the philosophy that isn't working. So if you're a Republican, the door is still open for you to support the change he wants to make.
The thing that makes this ad so good is that even those who like Sarah Palin understand that she isn't an expert on the economy. Which is on everyone's mind now.
Ned,
Thanks. Fixt.
Very nice ad. I hadn't seen that.
As for the Obama special tonight, I've had my moments of thinking it could be too much. On the other hand, every time Obama has had the opportunity to be on national TV, it has helped: think of the debates, especially the last two. When he is right there, speaking about the issues, it makes the "terrorist/socialist/green swamp monster" attacks from McCain look ridiculous.
However, I actually heard a McCain ad last night (I'm in PA) that made sense: it contained the audio of Biden's "international crisis" comment, followed by a long pause, and then simply "It doesn't have to be." (The voice-over comment actually fits well with the end of the Biden remark). Then it just says, "Vote McCain." A much more Obama-like ad.
Of course, this is the experience argument, easily counterpunched as above by reminding voters of Gov. Palin.
THC -
Check out the 1st video in this link, about an oldtimer in Colorado volunteering for BHO. You'll love it.
http://nettertainment.blogspot.com/2008/10/hes-melting.html
Also: did you know there's someone in this country who's 109 years old:
Daughter of slave votes for Obama: 109-year-old Bastrop woman casts her vote by mail.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/27/1027jones.html
All of the martial arts comparisons for the Obama campaign are so spot on.
I just reread a Newsweek article from a couple weeks ago, just as the financial crisis was breaking, and it goes "Why is Obama so calm? The financial crisis hasn't given him any boost in the polls, and he's cool as a cucumber. What gives?" Then it went on to list the ten other times that the campaign was calm in the face of a crisis, always to the campaign's benefit. "But this time could be different! This time he could be... DUN DUN DUN... too cool!" Or something to that effect.
The second guessing is only going to end on Nov. 5th.
One of my co-workers mentioned his wife (an ardent Obama supporter) is afraid the infomercial is too much. I told him I've given up trying to second-guess the campaign because they always manage to pull off some smart, sly and awesome stuff.
Like Al The Shoe Salesman.
Shani-o, My aunt, who has Direct TV, told me last night that Obama has his own channel on there. If having your own TV channel isn't too much, then an infomercial is nothing.
and man, poor Al has aged a bunch
The cats are just too cool for the room. It's hard to be subtle and crushing at the same time, but this ad pulls it off.
I often think that the best comedians are the ones who force you to fill in the punchline in your head. This ad lets you fill in the attack in your thoughts and is far more effective than anything a writer could come up with.
Sheer brilliance.
I'm voting for McCain and Palin..nahnahnahnahnahnah.
@Jane: Go for it. When's the last time an adversary winked at Putin? or Achmadinejad? Maybe it'll throw them off.
@Margaret: That could have worked if they'd framed Obama as the guy who votes present and doesn't make a move, vs the guy who leaps to decisive action, McCain. But for this to work, McCain needed to look more like Bruce Lee and less like Wile E. Coyote when he leapt into economic action.
Margaret: "The second guessing is only going to end on Nov. 5th."
Sorry to burst your bubble, Margaret, but it won't end even then. If Obama does win, the GOP's reaction will make their anti-Clinton witch hunt in the 90's look like a polite cough. Oh yes, they're going to keep second-guessing President Obama. That's the *nicest* thing they're going to do.
Trust me, the sewer is *really* going to burst open if Obama is elected. Be ready for it.
The worry over the commercial tonight reminds me of when the Obama campaign decided to have him give his acceptance speech in a stadium. And the downright hysteria over the "columns" that were built on the stage.
What I'm saying is, Obama's track record shows that he can pull these kind of moments off.
Effin Brilliant!
All Mac's own words pop against that backdrop. Then, Wink!
Obama's no punk! He leaves his opponents in denial of defeat long after he's already won the game.
I love it.
Shade Tail: Yeah, sorry, should have phrased that: "The second guessing about his ability to win a general election will only end on Nov. 5th." I am fully expecting the onslaught of political knee-capping. It's already starting, really.
It's a good ad, and on point, but I think both you and Andrew need to stop using the word "Devastating" every time Obama says something smart, puts out a good ad, or otherwise calls bullshit on John McCain/Sarah Palin.
It gives the McCain campaign way too much credit, and not enough to the way that Obama's steady hand has won this campaign.
You know, I hope tonight Obama would show clips of those "ordinary" Americans who spoke at Obama's convention on the night of his speech. Unless one watched the full coverage on C-Span, I think people missed some of the most powerful images and messages of the convention. These people would make "Joe The Plumber" look like the phony he is.
all i have to say is:
ohh, shit.
Maybe the best commercial they've done all year. Though there's not much competition, their ads have been pretty weak.
The former Hillary supporters now McCain supporters who are announcing that the ad is sexist
somehow find nothing wrong with a woman in a professional setting winking like a cocktail waitress in Vegas.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/former-hillary.html
I can't wait until next Wednesday so (hopefully) people like this can stop issuing their ridiculous communiques.