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Obama Infomercial a Virtuoso Performance
October 29, 2008 10:02 PM
This was a very highly produced, technically incredibly competent half hour of television that was worth every penny.
It was all designed to get voters comfortable with the idea of Barack Obama in the Oval Office, that he is embedded in the lives of average Americans, and knows exactly what they're going through.
Obama even appeared in a facsimile of the White House Oval Office during the infomercial. Every single line during that 30 minutes was something that the campaign knows works and appeals to those undecided voters.
There was one point during those 30 minutes where he talked about education. Over images of Obama in a classroom with children, they rolled a tape of Obama's Sept. 9, 2008 speech in Dayton, Ohio:
"Responsibility for our children's' success doesn't start in Washington," Obama said. "It starts in our homes. No education policy can replace a parent who's involved in their child's education from day one, who makes sure their children are in school on time, helps them with their homework, and attends those parent-teacher conferences. No government program can turn off the TV set, or put away the video games, or read to your children."
The campaign knows for a fact that when Obama said those lines during the debate, it had the highest response of the entire debate from voters hooked up to dial groups.
So they repeated it again tonight and that idea was reprised again and again over these 30 minutes.
Every idea that Obama talked about is something the campaign knows appeals to those undecided voters, especially those economically distressed voters in the nation right now.
What you saw here was a highly competent, professional, virtuoso performance. The fact that they could go 28 minutes in and hit live to a campaign rally in Florida and right down to the final Obama Biden logo that showed a rising sun. One of the things the campaign knows is that the most optimistic presidential candidate always wins.
Ross Perot had some money to do a similar type of infomercial back in 1992 but he had a very, very primitive production.
I spoke with a former presidential campaign strategist who said that anyone who has worked in a presidential campaign has to be jealous of the toys that the Obama campaign cash can buy.
Obama's Republican rival John McCain has argued the ad, which is estimated to have cost more than $3 million, was bought with Obama's broken campaign promise to take public financing which would have limited the amount of money he could raise.
Tonight McCain-Palin spokesman Tucker Bounds released this statement: "As anyone who has bought anything from an infomercial knows, the sales-job is always better than the product. Buyer beware."
That's an implicit admission that they know that the message worked, they just hope that the messenger won't be trusted.
--George Stephanopoulos
October 29, 2008 in Barack Obama, Democrats Vote 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (1045)
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I actually liked it! Well done!!!!
Posted by: TomTheBarber | Oct 29, 2008 10:33:54 PM
Honestly, I was not impressed. These days, high school students make better documentaries than this!!!
Posted by: JKan | Oct 29, 2008 10:34:02 PM
I am an independent who has already voted for Obama. I watched the show and just don't what to think. Will it help Obama or hurt him. The production values were high. I thought that the cut to the live shot was very nicely done. The message was nice, but not really anything we haven't heard before. I think that his base will like it, but I am not sure about his softer supporters or independents. Did he overdo it? I am almost certain that the repubs will very soon release an ad using some of his quotes and twist them to try to use against him.
My wife made the comment “Aren’t there any commercials during this?” I reminded her that it was a commercial. She said “oh I forgot” and laughed.
Posted by: Dave | Oct 29, 2008 10:34:32 PM
Boring.
We heard it all before. Nothing new.
Look, he paid a huge amount of money to have a production company produce and carefully edit a tv show that stared Obama. Did the company do their job?
Obama CAN read a teleprompter.
Posted by: Brady | Oct 29, 2008 10:34:33 PM
Tabby (Jiminy???),
As R A said, your life demands better out of you... Why play this stupid game? Speak about trolls....
Jiminy (the real one), who could care less about that inconsequential LA Times tape.
Posted by: jiminy (the real one) | Oct 29, 2008 10:35:22 PM
I thought it was refreshing to see a candidate present their case to the public.
Posted by: Mom Mom | Oct 29, 2008 10:36:15 PM
Obama:
""Responsibility for our children's' success doesn't start in Washington," Obama said. "It starts in our homes. No education policy can replace a parent who's involved in their child's education from day one, who makes sure their children are in school on time, helps them with their homework, and attends those parent-teacher conferences. No government program can turn off the TV set, or put away the video games, or read to your children."
Any republicans here who disagree with that? Speak up.
Posted by: Clifton | Oct 29, 2008 10:36:32 PM
"Has anyone noticed how John McCain doesn't talk about HIS OWN ideas? He always seems to be talking about Barack Obama.
Obama on the other hand, spent 30 minutes telling people what he believes and what he would like to do.
John McCain has campaigned like George Bush did against McCain in 2000. No class."
* * * * *
I must have hit a nerve for "Ed from MA". Or perhaps Republicans are born to act dishonestly, as when they copy someone else's handle.
Posted by: John McCain's conscience | Oct 29, 2008 10:37:01 PM
Obama paid a company to make a movie staring Obama.
Now if they could make Obama into a person who does not lie
Posted by: jiminy (the real one) | Oct 29, 2008 10:37:07 PM
Obama has a white racist GRANDMOTHER . If you don't believe it just ask Obama
Posted by: Clifton | Oct 29, 2008 10:38:18 PM
Gus - you probably live in New Jersey. My family in Philly is voting OBAMA.
PHILLY = WINNERS
OBAMA/BIDEN = WINNERS
McSTOOGE = FAIL
Posted by: Ed from MA | Oct 29, 2008 10:38:28 PM
jiminy (the real one) ...is it Grape too sour?
Posted by: R A | Oct 29, 2008 10:38:36 PM
McCain is jealous that he not only can't afford to do the same ad, but his campaign lacks the vision or message to even conceive it.
Posted by: MIguy | Oct 29, 2008 10:38:51 PM
I also heard this version :
LA TIMES wouldn't release the video of JOHN SIDNEY MCCAIN praising the PLO terrorist as HEROS and calling Israel the TERRORIST
Posted by: skyglider2008 | Oct 29, 2008 10:39:27 PM
Cheers to the Phillies...
Posted by: MIguy | Oct 29, 2008 10:39:48 PM
What a huge waste of money.
I heard thier is video of Obama praising the PLO terrorist as hereos while calling Israel terrorist.
I never remember Israel blowing up passenger trains and planes in europe like the PLO
Posted by: John McCain's conscience | Oct 29, 2008 10:39:57 PM
I am a black boy working for OBAMA
Posted by: skyglider2008 | Oct 29, 2008 10:40:39 PM
The Obama campaign infomercial was absolutely AWESOME - well presented, with the plan that he has talked about throughout his campaign. He is passionate about wanting to help America, and his compassion really shows. This IS truly the leader and president we need. May God continue to bless America.
Posted by: Jwal | Oct 29, 2008 10:40:40 PM
I think a better info-mercial would be the one where Obama is calling PLO terrorist HEROS while at the same time calling Israel TERRORIST..
Posted by: Jwal | Oct 29, 2008 10:42:39 PM
Did anyone hear Barack Obama call John McCain a Socialist?
Did anyone hear him point out how John McCain palls around with terrorist G. Gorden Liddy?
Did anyone hear him slander a moderate Palestinian with a history of condemning suicide bombs as a war crime?
Did anyone hear Barack Obama talk about 'real Americans' (the ones who vote for him) or that New York city, the very location of the twin towers, was inferior and not 'real America'?
BARACK OBAMA is a class act, is he not?
Posted by: John McCain's conscience | Oct 29, 2008 10:44:19 PM
Please George, dont destroy your own reputation on this man.
When Obama talked about the courts not doing more for civil rights and not spreading the wealth around ... who is he talking about - the BLACKS ..
So who do you think Obama has in mind when he says he wants to SPREAD THE WEALTH AROUND ... TO WHO?
TO THE POOR BLACKS ...
Let's us just SPIT THE TRUTH OUT .... BECAUSE IT IS THE TRUTH ...
OBAMA'S AGENDA IS TO RAISE THE TAX ON ALL WORKING AMERICANS WHO PAY TAX, NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS NOW, AND GIVE THOSE MONEY TO ONLY ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE
THE POOR BLACKS ...
THERE YOU GOT IT .. THE UNSPOKEN TRUTH IS OUT
Posted by: Please George | Oct 29, 2008 10:45:22 PM
Why does McCain think he can dictate how campaigns are run? Couldn't he have opted out of public financing if he chose? Who is he to demand town hall meetings? Shouldn't he lead his own campaign and not conduct it based on his opponent?
Posted by: Mom Mom | Oct 29, 2008 10:47:46 PM
"Has anyone noticed how John McCain doesn't talk about HIS OWN ideas? He always seems to be talking about Barack Obama.
Obama on the other hand, spent 30 minutes telling people what he believes and what he would like to do.
John McCain has campaigned like George Bush did against McCain in 2000. No class."
* * * * *
Again I must have hit a nerve for "Ed from MA". Otherwise, why stoop to pretending you are me?
Posted by: John McCain's conscience | Oct 29, 2008 10:48:28 PM
Tabby....you are so incredibly crude. Someone may have to spay/neuter you.
Posted by: seansatx | Oct 29, 2008 10:48:57 PM
Those of you who keep mentioning the LA Times, PLO Terrorist guy...don't forget to ask about why McCain was head of a Repub committee that gave half a million to the same PLO Terrorist guy...
Typical hypocrisy from desperate, stupid, GOP'ers
Posted by: bokeel | Oct 29, 2008 10:49:23 PM
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