by Chris W.
Member since:
September 12, 2006

So, the Obama infomercial- love, hate, or don't care?

October 29, 2008 08:54 PM EDT (Updated: October 29, 2008 08:58 PM EDT)
views: 78 | comments: 28

Senator Obama looked good. Yes, I thought that he settled the question of who is better looking, Todd Palin or Barack Obama. Obama wins that one, I think. But no, of course this is not a beauty contest. There is a better question to ask.

The question is, does this one sided and somewhat propagandistic effort  (yes, presidential campaigns are inherently propaganda) make you more likely to vote for Obama or less?  My guess is that with only a few percent undecided left, it changes few minds. Yes, it might help you understand that Obama had a white mom who died of cancer and a black dad from Kenya who is also now dead, and that he is married to an african-american woman and has two adorable daughters. Of course you probably knew that already unless you live on a desert island.

But I would like to know what you think- if you watched this half hour progam. Do you want to know where I stand on Obama? Well, he has my vote and my $100. I am just asking, did the infomercial do anything for you?

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Comments: 28

Margaret G. Oct 29, 2008, 9:29pm EDT
I''m already voting for him,but just the fact that it was not full of negatives made me feel good.
Mario A. Oct 29, 2008, 9:32pm EDT
I thought it was well done. I do wonder if it will sway the undecided. I think that at this point, those who are disposed to voting for him will swing over to him with this infomercial; those who are not will find a reason to criticize the program and align themselves with McCain.
Julia Star Oct 29, 2008, 9:40pm EDT
It was very well done.
Chris W. Oct 29, 2008, 9:42pm EDT
Margaret- that had not occurred to me, You are right, it was all positive, other than a bit of criticism of Bush that almost all of us would agree with.

Mario- thanks. Yes, well done as a video product- especially that little segue from recorded program to live feed of Obama giving a stump speech. That was "Epic" as my daughters would say. Less clear that it would convert mcCain folks- nah, not likely. Maybe could nail down a few undecided.

Lee- reading books is good! Keep doing that, I call it job secuirty (I am a librarian)
Chris W. Oct 29, 2008, 9:44pm EDT
Julia- thanks for stopping by! Yes, in fact it was so well done that one guy here on gather said that he was glad he recorded it!
Ray Johnson EsqAICP Oct 29, 2008, 9:55pm EDT
The program was a continuation of the masterful strategy of the Obama campaign since day one. Steady and consistent. And by the way, with the economy headed south, perhaps literally, someone who can give a good speech and motivate people is essential to recovery.
Amy H. Oct 29, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
Thanks for posting your content to the Group: We comment backSmileycons!
Richard Owl Mirror Oct 29, 2008, 10:07pm EDT
Margaret G., could you imagine a half hour of McCain /Palin with their "he palls around with terrorists", "he's a liberal, socialist, communist, marxist guy with a dangerous sounding name" ?

Actually, McCain condensed it down to a new 30 second ad, have you seen it yet ?

http://www.johnmccain.com/SplashTV/splash.htm
sarah g. Oct 29, 2008, 10:08pm EDT
i didn't see it...
Chris W. Oct 29, 2008, 10:15pm EDT
Richard, yeah, same old attack ads from mcCain. actually 30 minutes of negative would never work as an infomercial. 30 seconds of it is more than I can take.
Alicia Loudon Oct 29, 2008, 10:16pm EDT
HHmm..I dont see Obama being good looking.I dont know what Todd Palin looks like.
Alicia Loudon Oct 29, 2008, 10:18pm EDT
Actually I just looked up Todd I think he is way better looking than Obama.Aside from looks neither gets my vote.
Alicia Loudon Oct 29, 2008, 10:20pm EDT
UUmmm sorry mabye just better looking in the wiki picture.Neither is good looking.
Chris W. Oct 29, 2008, 10:21pm EDT
Alicia- tastes do vary. Actually, as a hetero male, I am probably not a good judge of male beauty.
Chris W. Oct 29, 2008, 10:42pm EDT
Jim- ha! good stuff. The best kind of accusation is the truth made to sound threatening by leaving something important out.
Obama was wonderfully snide in noting that the next we will hear from mcCain is that Obama "shared his toys in kindergarten".
Brian T. Oct 29, 2008, 10:50pm EDT
I thought the program was well done.
Chris, I thought the program was well done,
and appreciated that he was not negative,
except in being negative of the current state
of our country, for which I cannot blame him.

Obama also has my vote and my $2,300.

I like how McCain is saying that the infomercial
was bought and payed for with broken promises.

Now how can that be when he has not even
been President yet?

And if the broken promises mantra should fit anyone,
that would be the Republicans for the last 8 years.
Also, I had not realized that Obama's mother was such a pretty woman!
I guess she is party responsible for Barak's good looks.
She certainly was responsible for raising a son who turned out to be
a complete gentleman and an intelligent, compassionate person.
Chris W. Oct 30, 2008, 10:37am EDT
jerry- yes interesting about the forces that molded Obama. By contrast, look at the forces that molded mcCain: parents who basically told him (without really ever talking about it) , you are part of a tradition, please fit in.
Prima Donna Oct 30, 2008, 2:28pm EDT
Loved it. Cleared the stench of the negative attack ads right out of the room. Filled with optimism and a call for personal responsibility. He will be an outstanding President.
Jerry M. Oct 30, 2008, 4:06pm EDT
I enjoyed the presentation because it highlighted the difference between the angry, bitter McCain campaign and the positive, forward looking Obama Campaign.
Francis H. Oct 30, 2008, 5:43pm EDT
It is a revolutionary idea. No one has ever done this before. This is just the kind of thing that will become the new standard for presidential candidates. It demonstrates Barack Obama's innovative thinking and solution finding prowess. Not very many people take the time to read what the candidates are all about so this was the perfect and SIMPLE solution to that problem. It's a wonder that no one thought of this before. My only critique is that they could have took it a little easier on the background music. It's an infomercial, not a Spielberg biopic.

I watched FOX News for as long as I could take afterward and they were as bitter as hell. It was like they refused to talk about the infomercial and only focused on defaming Barack Obama with insidious jabs. It was pathetic and spiteful.
Prima Donna Oct 31, 2008, 9:57am EDT
Did you watch it George?
Chris W. Oct 31, 2008, 10:35am EDT
Prima- that's not likely is it, George watching that.
Kimber L. Nov 4, 2008, 11:33am EST
I watch Pushing Daisies on the network smart enough not to carry his ad! I hate politics. I don't like either candidate. BESIDES Pushing Daisies is a GREAT SHOW!!

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