The Obama Infomercial

DaemonSeid · #1 10-29-2008, 08:19 PM

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.

KSigkid · #2 10-29-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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.

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.

SWTXBelle · #3 10-29-2008, 10:08 PM

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.

UGAalum94 · #4 10-29-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

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.

tri deezy · #5 10-29-2008, 10:18 PM

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!

VAgirl18 · #6 10-29-2008, 10:29 PM

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?

preciousjeni · #7 10-29-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

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?

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

texas*princess · #8 10-29-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

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

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

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?

ThetaPrincess24 · #9 10-30-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

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?

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.

Senusret I · #10 10-30-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

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?

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

MysticCat · #11 10-30-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

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?

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 *****?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

He is close, but no Senusret.

There is only one Senusret.

preciousjeni · #12 10-29-2008, 10:35 PM

Darn my no-tv-service-having-house.

Is it online?

summer_gphib · #13 10-30-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

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.

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.

epchick · #14 10-30-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summer_gphib

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.

I have to say that I totally agree with you summer! I was an "undecided voter" up until I walked up to the voting booth, and I still feel uneasy about the decision I made. The bolded part was exactly what I was thinking about when I went into the polling location.

I thought I was going to vote for McCain (and deviate from my 'party') but I just can't stomach the idea of Palin as VP.

AGDee · #15 10-30-2008, 10:51 PM

I've said this before, but I think it's worth repeating. No elected official will ever have every goal of theirs realized because we do not have a dictatorship. If you think that every plan that either candidate has put out there as their ideal would actually happen, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You would hope that they aim big but accept that it will take baby steps in a different direction to get there.

Additionally, consider temperament. There are numerous articles out there comparing the two temperaments. If you want someone who is strongly reactive, go with McCain. If you want someone who sits back, looks at the big picture, stays cool and then makes a decision, go with Obama. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. What are you most comfortable with?

Lastly, look at who they will surround themselves with for their cabinet. Obama has been consulting with Warren Buffet on economy issues. It's clear that Powell will be some sort of adviser, if not a cabinet member, he said that he would always be willing to discuss things with Obama. I think he has shown good judgment in who he would turn to for expert guidance. No President is without this type of guidance. We've had numerous Presidents in recent times who were governors. I'm not sure how a governor is more equipped than someone who has taught Constitutional Law and served in both the state and federal senate.

I've said before that my primary concern with Obama is how all this stuff is going to be funded. I'm trusting that our checks and balances system is going to work. I don't think anybody could increase the national debt at the rate that it has increased during the current administration. I cannot imagine voting for someone who is not in sync with my basic belief systems which is why I'm voting for Obama.

I think we're kind of in a win-win situation with this election. Either way, it has to better than what we've got now.