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October 30, 2008

Obama infomercial was puke-tacular TV

Posted by Graham F. Scott at 01:30 PM ET

On Wednesday night the Obama-Biden ticket broadcast their already infamous "Barack Obama: American Stories" infomercial, above, across seven TV networks simultaneously. Initial ratings indicate 30 million people tuned in. I hope it brings him some votes, because he's obviously the better candidate of the two.

But seriously, folks: what a nakedly manipulative, shamelessly sentimental trough of Hallmark bull-pucky it was. The Amber Waves of Grain swaying in the breeze, the plucky everyfamily filling up at the gas pump, the stoic elders working at Wal-Mart to pay for prescription arthritis drugs. Real people, sure, with real problems that are worthy of the candidate's attention. But the soft-focus, TV-movie-of-the-week production values made the whole thing seem like a promotional video for a nursing home. Ick.

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Reader comments:

And? What would you have preferred in its place? It accomplished everything the Obama campaign needed to do:
1 - Position Obama as pragmatic Kansan with brains and heart
2 - Dispell ideas of him as Scary Other
3 - Showcase some typical case studies that are addressed by Obama's policy proposals
4 - Make an emotional connection for a candidate who has been described as "too intellectual / cool / aloof".

Was it schmaltzy? You bet. Will it work? I think so.

Posted by: AJ at October 30, 2008 03:19 PM

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I didn't watch this thing, but apparently Obama paid a cool million to each network that aired it.

Is his campaign really in that much trouble?

Posted by: Melissa Wilson at October 30, 2008 04:07 PM

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No, his campaign isn't in trouble, just the opposite. He's got tens of millions in cash to burn in the last few days and he's going for broke. I think this ad wasn't just about him: it was about helping the democrats get 60 seats in the senate so that they can actually pass legislation in 2009.

Posted by: Graham at October 31, 2008 10:25 AM

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GFS,

You are way too young to be this cynical. I know it's your job to be cynical... but sometimes the message in the schmaltz is the right message.

Look deeply into Barack's eyes. Succumb to the magic.

Posted by: jd at October 31, 2008 10:25 AM

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That is true. One has to remember that Obama's not just campaigning for himself, but for all the downticket candidates. Carrying out many of his policies will require a friendly Congress -- thankfully he's also won the admiration of many moderate Republican members.

Posted by: AJ at October 31, 2008 01:52 PM

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