Anyone know what to expect in the Obama infomercial?

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.

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.

The ad is pitch perfect. McCain did every bit of that to himself.

That one.

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*

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.

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

My election prediction: The "I got this" poster will be up on this blog by November 1st. I love that poster.

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.

Thanks. Fixt.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

@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.

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.

What I'm saying is, Obama's track record shows that he can pull these kind of moments off.

Obama's no punk! He leaves his opponents in denial of defeat long after he's already won the game.

I love it.

It gives the McCain campaign way too much credit, and not enough to the way that Obama's steady hand has won this campaign.

ohh, shit.

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.