m-cause

Recently, I saw a 2004 documentary called the Persuaders (Frontline PBS).  The is a great documentary and I recommend it to anyone wanting to take a critical look at the inside of the persuasion industry.  Part of the documentary is about political advertising…this piece spurred my interest in what ads and rhetoric are currently being fed to the American public in 08.   That led me to the Living Room Candidate–a great site that documents all the ad campaigns since the 1950s (1952 was when the age of the TV soundbite started). Note:  I recommend that you check out the first Eisenhower ads. They are quite fun.

Back to 2008

McCain the Maverick stands for experience (while Obama tends to take the higher ground via his message & cause for change.  Such “overall equity statements (Obama-Change, McCain-Experience)” put a long-term vision in the minds of people.   Sadly, during my reel viewing “experience” the tone of the ads have not really “changed” and this does not really give me a lot of “hope”.  While both candidates promise different politics, they still produce a lot of attack ads that are probably not thoroughly tested & created at the last minute (it seems they are all trying to achieve the proverbial Willy Horton breakthrough).  I must admit, the most entertaining ad in the reel is the “celeb” ad with Britney & Paris Hilton…this attack ad attempts to use Obama’s popularity against him & it made me laugh a bit.

Without endorsing either candidate in this blog post (I am an independent minded voter) the longer-term message of hope & change is probably more aspirational than experience during these difficult days…especially as McCain’s “experience” overall equity does not really line up against the most pressing issue of the last month in the campaign (the economy).

As we watch the presidential elections reach their pinnacle and the economy go down the tubes, you would think that the Democrats just about have the game won…but alas, the last month can provide all kinds of surprises.

It will be an interesting Oct.