Barack Obama 'infomercial' expertly done, little impact likely

Chances are, tonight's 30-minute Barack Obama infomercial will have minimal effect on the final outcome of the 2008 presidential election.

Those leaning against the freshman Illinois senator were unlikely to be swayed by it (or even watch it).

The ranks of the truly undecided, meanwhile, have shrunk in most polls. And how many of those bothered to tune in to the first program-length ad by a presidential candidate since Ross Perot flipped budget charts in 1992?

That said, the Democrat and his message makers certainly gave it their best shot to appeal to those open to conversion but lacking a comfort level with the prospect of a President Obama. (A complete text of the infomercial's script and the full 27-minute video is available by clicking here.)

Wondering about his patriotism and his commitment to defending the nation?

The extended commercial opened with an image of amber waves of grain. And, as its recorded portion neared an end, retired Army Brig. Gen. John Adams testified to the "courage and the judgment" he believes Obama would bring to the job of commander in chief.

The ad ended with a perfectly timed cut to Obama appearing live before an audience in Florida for a final few sound bites.

"America, the time for change has come," he declared, sounding a theme that has driven his candidacy from its start in early 2007. And in urging voters to "choose hope over fear, unity over division," he summarized what, for many of his supporters, has been his most powerful appeal.

In between, the expertly photographed, poignantly told stories of "average" Americans that gave the ad its pace and served to set up Obama's domestic policy prescriptions touched key demographic bases.

The first, for instance, spotlighted a white, middle-class woman in the swing state of Missouri whose family is struggling to make ends meet. Not coincidentally, Obama strategists ...

... long have viewed strong support from white women voters as essential to their victory scenario.

As befits a front-runner's status, Obama saw no reason to spend any time during the half-hour directly attacking John McCain. Indeed, the Republican's name was never uttered.

We were struck by another omission. Several prominent Democrats had cameos in the ad -- Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, among them. Conspicuously absent (at least to us) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

Obama also can expect some zingers for speaking frequently during the ad from a setting evocative of the Oval Office (except for the wood paneling).

Backdrops have been problematic for his campaign -- the columns that framed his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention were subjected to ridicule; the Oval Office motif will fuel McCain charges that Obama is taking for granted the outcome of Tuesday's election. And there was the Great Seal of Obama he used on the lectern one time.

Then again, if he was taking victory for granted, why pay for 30 minutes of prime-time television?

-- Don Frederick

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Photo credit: Associated Press 

Comments

[offRoad]

Ever watch other charismatic leaders speak, it sounds about the same. The point being it’s not how they say it that counts, it what’s they going to do that counts. We have only what they have done to best guess what they will do in the future. Using this common sense strategy it becomes a lot easer to decide who is best for America.

The history is full of bad leaders who were charismatic speakers. Beware the pied piper.

My how we love people who tell us what we want to hear, closing our eyes all the while to what “lies” beyond the suit.

[steeve]

I just watched Obama's info commercial. Man, what a breath of fresh air. As an independent voter in Florida, this is the type of candidate I want or need.

It seems every time I see a McCain rally on TV, they spend 5 minutes on what they will do for the country and the rest of the time criticizing Obama. It does not give me much confidence that McCain is trying to unite the country and makes his motto "Country First" seem more like "Divide and Conquer".

Scare tactics reminds me of Bush...isn't that how he got us in the Iraq war by scaring the public about WMD that was not there? These half-truths to scare or sway the public's opinion was how Bush was elected, but the public has caught on to these tactics and to use them again seems a little desperate.

Mr McCain, as a genuine hero, I wanted to vote for you, but you took your campaign to lows that wasn't what Americans needed in a time we needed strength, leadership and someone who talked to us about what he was going to do for America, not what was wrong with the other candidate. We had enough of hearing what is wrong, we needed to hear more from you what you were going to do right. It didn't happen and for that reason, I can't vote for you fearing the same campaign strategy will become your presidential policy for America. That, to me, is the real terror.

p.s. Please at least put honor above low ball politics for the rest of the campaign. I want to still respect the man whose book sits on my shelf by the ribbons I earn from 23 years of service. Please, don't make me remove that book from my shelf of honor.

These tactics seems to have become part of the Republican platform. For the first time in my voting life, I'm voting all Democrat -- I'm tired of scare tactics. We need hope, not fear.

[lucy2008]

My entire family watched the infomercial. The ad was well done to say the least. The ad was effective and probably helped people feel better about voting and going out to vote.

The two authors of this article really need to get another job. Their bios show that they bounced around a lot. Now is a time to bounce and move on to another topic. Elections aren't your specialty. The articles have been some of the most shallow I have read from the many journals. I think that the two of you are just two old and set in your ways. Some new blood is needed and the end of this election should be a time to begin a new era both for the country and for you to pick up some new topics.

These articles of yours look way too tired.

[Nico]

Something about it bothered me. I'm not sure what. Was it the 'big brother' aspect of flipping through a number of channels and seeing him on? Actually, I think it was the idea that it was so scripted and polished. I'm starting to wonder if he can really continue to be the good guy he (hopefully--ideally) once was, now that he's gone through such an intense process. I mean, look what fame did to Michael Jackson. And while I'm not at all comparing the two, I just feel like Obama's been forced to go through such a crazy process over the past year or so that it could very well have changed him..who knows who the guy really is?

[TJ]

Except, it made me enormously proud of him.

I was so moved to see the prospect of a distinguished, respectable, intelligent President again.

[LynneB]

My friend in North Carolina phoned me after the program to tell me that her elderly parents who are republicans and while they don't like Palin had planned on voting for McCain are now going to vote for Obama, so much for your prognostication, I just love you pinheaded pundits

[Alessandro Machi]

There's something selfish about a candidate that will accept money that isn't legally his because the donor gave more than the federal limit of 2,300 via pre-paid credit cards, fake names and addresses, and non reporting of donations under 200 dollars, who will spend it as fast as it comes in, rather than show some humility and keep honest books and donate the excess to charity.

But if Barack Obama is elected, then he'll start helping all the people with, other peoples money. What about your own illegal donations, Barack? What about not spending al that illegal money and donating about 30% of it, the estimated untraceable amount, or 270 million and climbing, and donating it to charity?

http://www.HILLARY-WINS.com
http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com

[John Hutchins]

Why pay for it? Because he has the money to pay for it.

[Tony]

We need lines at the polls all night of November 3rd-- Lines at the polls will bring awarness and make it popular to vote for Obama! --- LINE UP ALL NIGHT FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3rd TO CAST YOUR VOTE FOR OBAMA.

[oyoung54]

I found the infomercial to be riveting, informative, and worth every minute of my time.

[Socrates]

I don't think you can just think of it as a TV show that people either tuned into or did not. It will be hyped up and commented upon in the next few days, and with Internet, TiVo, etc. a lot more people will have watched it. Whether it affects someone positively or negatively toward Obama, it is nevertheless very effective.

When Ross Perot did his TV block, that's all there was -- TV. Now this clip will be everywhere.

It was a brilliant strategy because now it's out there, and it's a permanent part of our history and culture.

[James]

Go Obama!

[John Humphrey]

Your continued cynicism about Obama continues to astound me. As I heard on TV, here is a guy who has done all that we can ask of an American politician - raised in a single parent family. worked hard to get educated and work his way up through the political process to run for president. He put together a political strategy that beat the Clintons - much as I wanted her to win, and I voted for her in the California Primary and contributed to her campaign. He has gained more money than any other politician. He has generated enthusiasm in classes of voters who haven't been heard from in decasdes. He has the enthusiastic support of people who helped him put together an impressively produced and synchronized half hour commercial.

And what do I read in the LA times - carping, whining complaints about the details and the color of the paneling in the office.? What the devil do you guys and gals in LA want from him? I wanted to read substansive commentary from one of the better papers - maybe the best on the west coast. You don't sound as good as CNN or MSNBC. It's as if you gave this evaluation over to the people who write the Calendar and IMage sections of your Sunday Edition. They're wonderful writers - but this election is not entertainment - it's serious - as elections always are.

[Joe]

Mr. McCain & Ms.Palin, you have lost my vote & respect. Sorry, got to go with Obama... to me it's "Country First".

[Frank]

If the McCain campaign had the money they would've been blowing it on the same large chunks of air time. I do not however believe that this thing was at all necessary.

[Anna]

I was one of those great unwashed "undeciced" voters. Why? I am a Republican, and I wanted to believe in McCain. But he increasingly frustrated me - he flip flopped on serious issues, and then he chose Palin. she was just too far right and too inexperienced.

I was concerned about voting for Obama -- until tonight.

This may have an impact on few people, maybey you're right. But I was one of them.

My mother in law died of cancer two years ago. She worked her whole life to have a good retirement. All the money she saved went to pay the insurance company which -- despite having full benefits -- still nickeled and dimed her literally to death. We are still paying $340 a month for three years toward her health care. I read a few months ago that the CEO of the company that owns the hospital got $12 million last year.

This is not the America that I grew up with. Maybe Obama has less experience than I'd like, but at least I feel that he's in touch with what's important to this country's citizens.

[Comrade Bartuzik]

"All is fair in love and war" and politics I add.
It is clear that Obama clearly has the resources to far surpass McCain in vying for the media. Even USA Today issue Tuesday October 28 stated that Obama money is over McCain's in a 3:1 ratio.
What really matters though is how the electronic ballots will function. Everyone will ask me "why so"? I believe after watching the documentary Stealing America that the voting can change dramatically under voting fraud with Diebolt's electonic touch screens which switched votes from Kerry to Bush in 2004 mostly in Ohio. It changed the 51-49 ratio of Kerry/Bush to 49-51 which has changed it overall by 6% as part of its computer programming. I wish that we have a fair election in the nation and there ought to not be any voting fraud.

[Dr. Dave]

Here come the in-the-Obama-tank media...holding up score cards.....9.6....8.9....9.7....YAY!!! OBAMA WON!!!!

[VJ Machiavelli]

Big Brother Obama speaking to you from Big Brothers office where he will make those "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES".

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Maeve from Alaska]

I disagree - it "solidifies the base" (with hope rather than fear) and reassures those who might be tilting toward Obama but not sure that they have made the right choice. At this point that's all Barack needs - he's ahead - he just has to reassure and solidify those who are already tilting his way but not quite sure - not try to switch the truly undecided (are there really any of those?) and doesn't need to sway those who are latching onto the McCain/Palin fear tactics. (He'll get any of those who are persuadable in his re-election in 2012)

Gotta love a guy who can make a 30 minute case for his election without mentioning his opponent. Can anyone imaging McCain doing that? He can't even talk for 5 minutes about what his own "policies" - its all about "fear the other guy".

[Tim Warren]

He kept both feet out of his mouth; he just needs to keep doing the same for a few more days....

[maggie]

Didn't watch it. Already voted. But the question still remains... Why the hard sell?

[Joe the Smarter Guy]

Ross Perot did a great job with his addressing the need to balance the budget. I wish Obama had done some on specific issues to educate voters because the media doesn't seem to inform these people, only pander to the horse race and he said, he said BS.

[MrUniteUs]

Great work,
The campaign focused on using people from the battleground states.

Hillary and Bill got much praise from Barack at the stadium in Florida later that night.

Off topic L.A. Times but when is someone going to ask McCain why he gave nearly a half million dollars to Rashidi.

[pogo]

don't think Obama takes anything for granted, but maybe it was a way to communicate the concern he feels for America and that he hears the fears of Americans. It wouldn't much matter how he did something, because a bully will always find a way to demean an action or intent-- it's the nature of bullies to do that.

but Obama's great-great-great grandaddy is a Civil War veteran, so how much more American can you get? McCain can disclaim that his campaign is not racist, but just think how dirty it would be if Obama were Chinese or Japanese or German. Why can't a Native American aspire to be an American political leader?

why must the choice be filthy rich, white, arrogant, big-business backed and oriented potty-mouthed brats?

America is Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Muslim, Protestant, Buddhist, atheist, German, Korean, Hungarian, Russian and everything in between-- and many ordinary, metro-riding Americans carry newspapers under their arms and know more on Foreign Policy tahn the governor of Alaska, and many of them have suffered through wars and fought overseas, but not made it a platform for political bullying. There's thousands of homeless vets on the streets and none of them married into rich families for cushy jobs as a lateral move into politics, yet many of them probably have greater insight into America's political muddling and problems of healthcare and survival in America.

5000 USD rebate for health insurance will not care for an American homeless vet

and it will not hlep the homeless on the street or their children

and it will bedrock a basic need and necessity to stabilize American economy and workplace. You must have a healthy working population that has healthcare, dental care and someplace called a home

not just the rich--but every single family in America

and if that's European socialism, then it works. Kids need families and families need homes and jobs, but above all they need medical care.

I think Fort Lewis released inforamtion to Seattle P-I or Times that nearly one-third of all recruits for overseas combat duty were released because they had faulty medical care and bad teeth. They were too high a risk to deploy.

And the vets coming home and landing on the streets--

Mr McCain does not answer for any of these things.

and Palin--

There's no excuse for her. Dolly Parton would be a better VP when it comes down to it. She's at least very successful business person.\

But consider the great American women and Palin has nothing to offer. Sandra Day O'Connor, Margaret Chisholm, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer-- and Feinstein is more than accredited. Fior these ladies, Palin is an insult to their intelligence, leadership and achievements.

Maybe being an elitist is exclusive, but getting somebody in the executive office who can brag that anybody with a C average and crappy grammar with incoherent English just doesn't bode well for America.

McCain-Palin campaign seems to be narcissistic with very little regard to America's future or the common American social welfare. Palin ethics no different than Cheney Haliburton contracts-- honesty? integrity?