The Obama Infomercial

[AGDee]

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

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

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?

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

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.

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

Originally Posted by Katmandu

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.

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

Originally Posted by AGDee

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.

This is a federal campaign, so it's governed by federal campaign finance law, not state laws.

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

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.

No, assuming he wins, he should keep anything still left for the re-election campaign.

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

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

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.

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 *****?)

Originally Posted by Senusret I

He is close, but no Senusret.

There is only one Senusret.

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

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.

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 ?). 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...

[VAgirl18]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

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

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.

[VAgirl18]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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

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

[ajuhdg]

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!

[GeekyPenguin]

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.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

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

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.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

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

Temper tantrums are at hand...

[I.A.S.K.]

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

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

So RNC will be donating all $145,000 worth of clothing that was bought for Palin and her family? What about the $5,000 of makeup and hair stuff? Will that be double used as well? So, its okay to have President who wants a spending freeze on everything but defense, Veterns, S.S. and few other things and a Vice President who wants to have a spending frenzy? That's really a clear collective conservative message being sent to the American people!

I liked the infomercial.

[VAgirl18]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

So RNC will be donating all $145,000 worth of clothing that was bought for Palin and her family? What about the $5,000 of makeup and hair stuff? Will that be double used as well? So, its okay to have President who wants a spending freeze on everything but defense, Veterns, S.S. and few other things and a Vice President who wants to have a spending frenzy? That's really a clear collective conservative message being sent to the American people!

I liked the infomercial.

Hair and makeup are totally different. I don't see anyone bringing up Hillary Clinton spending 3k back in 06 on two haircuts.

[nittanyalum]

Yes, now we're getting to the real nuts and bolts of the issues facing the country and considerations in play during this election.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

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

I actually wouldn't mind the term "phony" if she had just pointed out areas where she thought he was being phony (I'd start with, say, backing out of public funding, or running away from a wealth-distribution model even though it's a perfectly sound conceptual base) - then we could point out all the areas where McCain has openly pandered to the Evangelical Right, maybe we even decide that hey, part of politics is shading the truth to garner votes (aka "everyone's phony so it's a moot point"), and wahlah! We have discourse!

But, alas, pipe dreams are just that - I think I'll acquire dolphin AIDS before a thread goes five consecutive posts without an ad hominem.

Minions, of course, is just hysterical. Like people voting for McCain simply because he's an old, white veteran aren't acting like "minions" in a truly classical sense . . . have you been to a McCain rally lately? It's like a zombie march. ABOOOORTION! NATIONAL SECUURRRRRITY!

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I think I'll acquire dolphin AIDS before a thread goes five consecutive posts without an ad hominem.

L. O. L.

I'll be at the Obama rally tomorrow in Des Moines - any interest in a trip report from (basically) a true independent?

Yes, please!