The Obama Infomercial
 

You know what?

This shit's scary.

You see McCain's quote in Miami today about how he would never delay the start of the world series by a half hour to make American's watch an infomercial?

And I think this may backfire. It's more than a little propaganda-y, and doesn't do anything to hide that fact.

I could care less about the world series, but I acknowledge that I may be in the minority about that. Right now, I can't even recall what I do watch on Wednesday nights.

But it's clearly propaganda (which all of these things are), and it is blatant. It REALLY disturbs me.

I'm voting for him because he most closely aligns with my values, but I just really have a suspicion that I'm going to end up in a camp with a pink triangle on my chest if I ever disagree with him.

How do you delay something that

1. Was already delayed anyways

2. I believe was scheduled to start at 8:30...

Yeah..McCain's quote was a bit whiney at best.

Hey Sen...

If Bush can interrupt TV for free and ramble on for about an hr. over some BS then this isn't scary.

Not the first time this has been done. Ross Perot bought a half hour on most of the networks in '92, and I know at least one other candidate in my lifetime bought a half hour block in the week before the election.

It was meant to be absurd, and we can laugh at the absurd, even if it's not "funny" per se.


I get that.

What scares me is that Obama doesn't NEED this to win.

What scares me is that this man may look like me, but he is not me. He is close, but no Senusret.


I just wanted to acknowledge this. With Perot, I understand (and I think I remember). He NEEDED that time to share his message.

Obama doesn't need it...it's just....weird....

McCain needs to stop hating. His acceptance speech caused the first NFL game of the season to start early. And if it didn't rain like cats and dogs in Philly Monday, the World Series would probably be over.

It didn't bother me all that much. I think it was going a bit overboard, and the concept was a bit odd to me, but other than that it didn't bother me.

I think it's a different story when the President (no matter what party) is speaking, and when a candidate is doing it. Again, I don't have a problem with his doing the infomercial, but I think you're comparing apples to oranges when you're comparing Bush doing it and Obama doing it. It means putting aside your feelings about Bush and Obama, but from my point of view, I think of it purely as a candidate doing an infomercial/promotional feature versus the President speaking to the nation. When I look at it that way, the two things aren't comparable.

Here's my question - was the infomercial viewed by "undecided" voters, or was it an Obama lovefest, watched by those who are already true believers? I find it hard to believe that anyone - other than my mother, and that's a story all unto itself - is really undecided at this point in time. Am I totally wrong in thinking that? Surely someone gathered up viewer data for the program.

Oh, tell me about your mother. (imagine this said in a Dr. Freud voice if that makes it better). If you think it's a story, I know it's a probably a doozie of a tale. ETA: you've told some pretty great teaching stories; I didn't mean anything snarky.

I liked that that it wasn't negative about McCain's campaign at all. It was just about Obama, his policies, and issues that are on our minds. I don't even think I heard the word McCain mentioned once. I was swooning thinking about a change like this and how we'll finally be through with Bush so soon!

Why did he pay for the infomercial when he could have given the money back to those who donated so they could give it to the people who really need it...you know, start practicing the spreading of wealth? :p

Darn my no-tv-service-having-house. :mad: Is it online?

Wellll...people gave him that money so that he could do it. :D

yea that's what I was thinking... those people gave him money on their own free will. :confused:

And I think maybe this (the whole infomercial thing) hasn't been done because it's REALLY expensive... and he has a ton of money that was donated ... and the election is only a couple of days away... might as well use the money. Maybe no prior candidates thought about trying to do something like this before?

Obviously his campaign doesn't need any more advertising. I'm a Republican and ready to accept that the Dems are going to be in the White House. I just saw no point in even having the infomercial when he could have just given the money back and said that other people could use it more. He should practice what he preaches..which is exactly what he does half of the time..preach.

If it comes to any camps get on a plane, train, or bus and I'll drive you into Canada. I could have you safely in Creston, BC in under four hours. Go get your passport ordered if you haven't already!

That's not how things work with campaign contributions. McCain won't be returning any of his unused funds back to the people who sent them either.

Candidates ARE allowed to give the money to charity or other campaigns as long as they aren't spending it for personal use. He should have donated the money to charity instead of buying the infomercial..it would have been better for his campaign.

The laws vary by state. I looked it up last week because someone asked what happens to the extra money in one of these threads. It's insanely complex.

or the 150,000 on Palin's wardrobe...for that matter the clothing either

Look at it like this...it was aimed at undecideds and for those who STILL aqt this point 'don't know' what Obama's plans are if they watched should have a better idea now.

I thought if nothing else, it was a good idea without debate atmosphere or some kind of circus going on, know what his plans are.


Cracker, here is the exact quote I was looking for:

"It used to be that only rain or some other act of God could delay the World Series," he {McCain} said. "But I guess network executives figured an Obama infomercial was close enough."

The Obama campaign did not ask that the game be delayed, said a spokesman for Fox, which broadcasts the World Series.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/...cle/index.html

and after seeing what happened last night, the game would have been over on Monday anyways....not to mention is was one of the lowest rated World Series in recent history.

It actually seems like you're not at all ready to accept this. You keep pressing a non-issue.

EXCELLENT point!!!

I have a question for those who thought it was scary and propaganda-ish--If you think that and are slightly worried then why are you still voting for that guy? There are other people running for president besides mcain and obama (they dont have a chance in hell but it's still your vote and your voice).

I'm just glad I was in choir practice at church instead of being at home. i was saved from watching that phoney.

Canada wont save you from him and his minions :)

I think there are many "undecided voters" remaining. My husband and I have already voted, and we're still not sure we voted the right way. There are things we truly admire about both men, making it a very difficult decision for us (and I'm usually a stright party voter). There are pros and cons to both-- we admire and like McCain but detest Palin. We really think Joe Biden has a lot of experience, but we're not sure Obama can keep his promises, and has the experience needed.

So for us it was rough. We did break from our normal party and voted for McCain-- despite Palin, certainly not because of her. :o

Because he still aligns with most of my values. McCain aligns with few.

A lot of folks out there I would say align with my values but that certainly doesnt mean they belong in the White House (or anywhere else in government) and wouldnt get my vote.

But why would I vote for the OPPOSITE of my values? That would be stupid.

That is why one must be well informed about the candidate that they vote for...you would vote for the person that relates best to you, it makes no sense to vote for someone who does not have your well being in mind.

Can someone tell me what part of any political campaign is not propaganda? Campaigns ARE propaganda. The way things are set up, I can't blame a candidate for doing something like this. He's received the donations to be able to do it, so he might as well do it. People do keep saying that they don't "know" him, so this seems like a reasonable way for him to put himself out there for those too lazy to read his proposals on his web site.

I didn't watch the infomercial, didn't figure I needed to since I've read every document on his web site and my mind is made up. I had to clean out my DVR so I have enough room for both the Ghost Hunters marathon during the day tomorrow and the Ghost Hunters Live show on Halloween night. I have my priorities :)

better to spend it on an informercial than to get found out later that it was spend on a weekend junket **koff** AIG

Seriously. McCain so would have done this if he had the money to. It's silly to think otherwise.

I thought I remembered other candidates doing this, but I was wondering if senility was kicking in.

This is a federal campaign, so it's governed by federal campaign finance law, not state laws.
No, assuming he wins, he should keep anything still left for the re-election campaign.

You mean if you hadn't been at choir practice, you would have been forced to sit and watch him whether you wanted to or not? What ever happened to personal responsibility. :rolleyes:

And seriously. Phoney? I get it that people can disagree vehemently with him, but phoney? As opposed to McCain, whose seeming willingness to change his positions in order to attract votes just looks more and more *****ian to me all the time? (And can anybody tell me why the name of the legendary protagnotist who sold his soul to the devil in return for earthly power is replaced by *****?)

There is only one Senusret. :cool:

I feel you Soror!! If McCain's campaign had the money, he would probably do the same thing (that $150, 000 could been of better use huh :rolleyes::p:D?). I could care less about the World Series though that is not an opinion shared by some, but there are more important things to be worried about than the delaying of a baseball game. Hatred is a hellava drug...

No, I've accepted it. I'm questioning his practices. Just because I know he'll most likely win on Tuesday doesn't mean that I have to agree with his campaign practices.

No, but they WILL be donating the clothing to charity after the election. Double use is more effective than wasting.

Anyway, your comment about being 'lableled' with the pink triangle, gave me a funny visual. It kind of made me wonder what'd he'd do to me. I've already warned that he's MUCH further left than he's admitted, and with all of this media talk, I bet he'll go and figure out all the people that voted against him and rope them out too.

I don't necessarily agree with McCain on everything, but the ones that we don't agree he believes those decisions (abortion, gay marriage, etc) should be left at the state level. This leads me to believe that he might have mixed feelings about it, thus letting the states decide would let some states have/do it and some states don't. Therefore, if someone wanted to participate in said activity, they could go to that state to do it. He doesn't want to outlaw it completely.

Everyone is voting based on their concerns, and I'll say it again, we need someone that's going to handle Iraq RIGHT, otherwise all the other issues will be moot.

VandalSquirrel: That is so sweet of you to smuggle people out. It's probably not necessary though, when Obama's done, we won't even recognize our country! (and I don't mean that in a good way!)

AGDee: WOHOO for Ghost Hunters marathons, and live Halloween shows!

My dad took the dog for a walk last night during the informercial and said that almost everyone in the subdivision had it on their TVs. I was surprised to hear that.

I'm also enjoying the level of respectful political discourse in this thread. "Phoney" and "minions" come to mind.

I dont get the wardrobe argument. Just about everyone on TV wears donated or borrowed clothing to advertise for someone. Hell models and actresses borrow dresses and jewels all the time on the red carpet and no one says anything. How is this any different? Because the RNC may have borrowed or purchased them? Bought clothes are going to charity and the donated ones are being returned. Her clothing argument is weak.

Sorry for being off topic.....

And to address someone else...obama changes his opinions all the time like any other politician. Dont accuse just McCain.

Temper tantrums are at hand...