Obama infomercial: Smart or overkill?

[southernleftylady]

Barack Obama will go on national television tonight and air a 30-minute infomercial about himself and his presidential campaign.

Several political image makers, both Republicans and Democrats, say it’s a smart move. But is there a risk of excess in it, as well?
While Obama hasn’t made many strategic mistakes in his campaign against Republican John McCain, he has, on occasion, shown a weakness for extravagance.

In July, Obama’s visits to Afghanistan and Iraq generated comforting images of the senator with military leaders and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. But his trip ended in Berlin with an image of 200,000 fans, mostly Europeans, chanting Obama’s name

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081029/pl_politico/15056

[billyoc]

1. OMFG!!

[UndertheOcean]

3. lol , what the heck is that ?

[Poll_Blind]

6. That's what I call dinner! (LINK)

Mon Calamari General finally gets it

PB

[billyoc]

15. hehe, it's a still from "star wars", I forget which version.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Why do we always get these "concern threads" when Obama does something intelligent? eom

[stillcool]

4. there's a zillion of them..

over a 30 minute tv spot..and yet there are another zillion about what the Campaign is not doing to fight back. It's like watching ping pong, with Obama being the ball.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Well, I Share The Concern

Of course, Obama isn't trying to convince ME to vote for him. I'm a staunch anti-Republican so i'd vote against any repub, even if the dem nominee were Satan. LOL!

But, i too wonder if a 30 infomercial isn't a bit much.
The Professor

[DemoRabbit]

11. I think he needs to be real careful

it could come across as pretty obnoxious if the tone of it is anything but positive.

If us, the die-hards, can see this might be a bit much, imagine what those in the middle might think?

I'm hoping he continues with his smart decisions... and that after seeing it tonight my skepticism is erased.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Precisely My Concerns

So, apparently one can have reasonable concerns, huh?
GAC

[efhmc]

8. I kind of wondered the same thing myself and the thought was motivated

by his daughter's Shasha's reaction. "Don't mess with my tv time." to paraphrase. Many Americans have this same reaction to anything that cuts into their prime time.

[hfojvt]

10. it's an article on Yahoo news front page

the teaser says "this ad buy might highlight his weakness".

I was like :wtf: when I saw the article and it seemed not worth reading. Just a yahoo hit piece.

[uppityperson]

7. Everyone can hold their own opinion. If someone doesn't want to watch, they don't have to.

It is that simple. If you don't want to watch, you don't have to.

If someone is irked enough by missing "deal or no deal" to have that change their vote, they weren't going to vote for Obama anyway.

[bermudat]

9. I already voted for Obama so I won't be watching it.

It seems like overkill to me, but I have immense respect for Obama's

campaign team. If they feel it is necessary so be it.

[deaniac21]

12. It will be watched by the choir.

[Twinguard]

14. make sure to tune in later

to The Daily Show. Barack is the guest tonight!!

[southernleftylady]

16. really? I didnt know that cool thanks

[Joe Chi Minh]

17. How on earth does 200,000 Berliners chanting Obama's name translate

as a mis-step?!?! Unbelievable! the Republicans woud give their eye-teeth, an arm and a leg, for that kind of popularity!

Desperation is a terrible counsellor, judging by the extraordinary contortions they go through to attack Obama. Another one is the Socialism thang. If it was good enough for Einstein and Western Europe, I think it should be probably good enough for Joe the Plumber. And Mme Palin. On the other hand, I doubt if Einstein could see Russia from his window, so maybe who's the smarter isn't that clear-cut.

[Caliman73]

18. Very Smart

Given that the MSM plays entire McCain rallies and only snippets of Obama's. Given that every little thing that Palin does or wears is plastered everywhere and Biden has been shunned by the media. Calling it an infomercial just adds to the negativity. The MSM is invested in a close race, they have to reach for ways that Obama is "shooting himself in the foot" because he has run a basically flawless campaign. I mean, what the hell is negative about 200,000 people from other parts of the world praising a potential American leader? Seriously? that was too much? Cause...we want to be hated around the world? This may not attract voters over in droves but it will give the Obama campaign some uninterrupted air time to set the record straight.

[Ezlivin]

19. As long as it's not like those first Nissan Infinity ads

Remember those? Most of the ad was shots of flowing water or other tranquil scenes with no evidence of an automobile. These "Zen-like" commercials were supposed to break new ground but they didn't really advertise the product.

I hope that Obama's ad is full of good, substantive information and reflects his thoughtful, rational approach to politics.

[LiberalHeart]

20. Remember when Perot did an infomercial? It was a big hit.