Be sure to watch Barack Obama's 30-minute infomercial spot if you haven't done so already. It was broadcast on Wednesday night to viewers of major networks like CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and Fox.Without giving a detailed analysis, I will say that the presentation put on display and reinforced Obama's greatest characteristics as a presidential candidate. Its production quality was masterful, and its content, refreshingly positive and substantive. It helped portray the Illinois senator as a leader who is genuinely in touch with the struggles of the American people.
John McCain's name was never mentioned, and no attacks were waged. That alone represents a welcome departure from the prevailing tone of this campaign season.
4 comments:
Like you, I was impressed with its positive tone: no attacks on McCain, Bush or the Republican Party. Refreshing!
Stosh in Illinois
Hey Pete :) Definitely thinking of you this Tuesday and hope you are going to be drinking some great beer waiting for election results!
Have to agree that overall, I liked the strong positive tone of Obama's message and the specifics of his policy ideas (though didn't McCain first purport drilling here at home? ;) ). I was irritated though by the music and "sob" stories that play on the emotions of the general public...how are people supposed to make a "logical" decision when they are assaulted by sensibilities of emotion? I thought that aspect catered to the more sensational Obama fans that disturb me. :) But don't worry, I'm pretty excited about Tuesday!!
I feel sick.
Hey Callie! Post on election night beer is forthcoming :)
Your point about playing on people's emotions is a good one. Actually, I'm not sure it's possible to sell yourself as a candidate without doing that. After all, if you don't strike an emotional chord with voters, you probably won't convince them to support you. I would argue that a person's vote is, at least to some degree, intrinsically linked to his or her emotions — positive or negative.
That, I believe, is the key distinction. Some candidates clearly appeal to negative emotions — namely, anger and fear. That's why I've grown so weary of debates over hot-button issues like gay marriage, abortion, and immigration. Some politicians don't make these issues a centerpiece of their campaigns because they really care about those issues; they do so because they know these are the issues that are most apt to anger or scare people and thus influence their vote.
I think you're absolutely right that Obama's ad appealed to viewers' emotions. But I believe it did so in a positive, hopeful tone. We heard sad stories of the four struggling families who were profiled. This, however, was coupled with substantive proposals on how Obama would try to ease their burdens if elected president. The infomercial seemed to convey encouragement, optimism, and solutions — not anger or fear. I think that's the main difference.
Andrea, why do you feel sick?
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