YouTube: The exact opposite of LBJ's "daisy" commercial
Posted 48 weeks 4 days ago byI'm not sure who, exactly, is winning the celebrity primary, but this video by Will.i.am and cohorts certainly counts as maybe the most creative and stirring packaging of such endorsements that I have ever seen.
Thoughts
Creepy Obama music video
Submitted on February 4th, 2008 by Jim LakelyIsn't anyone else just a little creeped out by the cult of personality aspect of this kind of adulation?
The message is don't think, just trust. Don't question what "hope" means, or what "change" means. Just believe in the personality of this dynamic leader -- a man who's words are so poetic that they deserve to be put to a song of praise.
The Che-like T-shirt of Obama's faces that one of the celebs was wearing was also a little off-putting.
The whole messianic vibe of Obamania is becoming increasingly troubling to me. It serves to lift the man above any criticism or any reproach, because to question him is to question "hope" itself. And the fact that Obama is an utterly empty suit makes the hero worship that much more disconcerting -- and, I suppose, necessary, because it's all he has.
I understand what an ad is supposed to do
Submitted on February 4th, 2008 by BenI also understand the difference between a campaign ad and a video. But, in this case, I wonder if it's a difference without much distinction? Political campaigns and popular entertainment are old hat in American politics. Happy days are here again, and all that.
So I simply disagree, Shakedown. The point is to excite the popular imagination about Barack Obama. And what about him? He's for "change" and "hope" and "yes we can." It's beautiful. A beautiful nullity.
gimme a break
Submitted on February 4th, 2008 by OnShakedownI think people that pop off w/ comments like "where's the substance" or "it is void of content" are forgetting what they are looking at.
This is a music video from the guy that did 'fergilicious'. it isn't a campaign piece. It's a dang music video.
now, i'm not saying it isn't part of the campaign now, it is by default, but it isn't supposed to have substance. it's a song.
are you wanting someone to do a song 'school house rock' style and explain his positions? gimme a break. go to the web site for the policies.
Snap, crackle and pop
Submitted on February 3rd, 2008 by BenIt is a beautiful ad, filled with beautiful people and beautiful sentiments. It's also quite powerful visually. But it is completely void of content. There is something to said for this cult of personality surrounding Obama. What is its basis? A desire for "change"? Will any "change" do? Anybody but Bush? I don't know how widely the ad has been distributed, but if it has legs and Obama wins, it's just the sort of spot that political scientists and communications professors will study for years.
Re: Popification of politics
Submitted on February 3rd, 2008 by JoelOh, Chuck, I don't think this represents anything groundbreaking; politics has already been popified. Or did you miss Mitt's bling bling moment, Bill Clinton on MTV in 1992 or Kennedy borrowing Sinatra's glamor? It's always been there.
No, this isn't laden with policy briefs. But the most successful movements marry message and messenger; I'd venture to say that while conservatives love Reagan for his conservatism, he's remembered fondly by the country at large for embodying the whole "morning in America" theme. I think it's possible Obama might be accomplishing the same thing on the left.
Welcome to the Popification of American Politics
Submitted on February 3rd, 2008 by Chuck_JohnsonNotice the lack of substance in that ad. Where's Obama's record?
"Yes, We Can...what?" No one seems to be asking it. Maybe it's because we all want something different and don't want to burst the bubble.
The worst part is that Obama's message isn't even original.
Saw this last night and loved it
Submitted on February 3rd, 2008 by MarloI don't really care about the celebs, but the music and words are really effective. It's hard to imagine any of the other candidates in a music video without being laughable. Okay, so maybe I chuckled at the appearance of a few of those t.v. side characters, but overall it was pretty cool.