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Ballot Box The best political buzz from around the web

By  XANA O'NEILL

Updated 8:57 AM CDT, Thu, Oct 30, 2008

Related Topics: Barack Obama | John McCain

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Ballot Box
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Ballot Box

 

Barack Obama 's infomercial has been widely well-received. The 30-minute spot was impeccably produced and part of a full-court press that the Democratic ticket has unleashed this week. If nothing else, talk of Obama's commercial -- pre- and post- -- have effectively taken up another two days of media coverage with five days remaining until the election. Can McCain recover? Today's buzz: 

  • Howard Wolfson wrote in the New Republic blog The Flack that the infomercial was a very effective closing argument that was well produced and effective in appealing to undecideds. Take-away: "At a time when the McCain campaign is doing everything it can to knock Sen. Obama off his game, it's another example of how and why that task is so difficult."
  • Obama's ad was slick but Billy Mays has more content when he's selling products on TV, wrote Cal Thomas in The Fox Forum. Take-away: "Barack Obama's expensive-looking infomercial was all about  government and nothing about you."
  • Obama's polished infomercial was a heartfelt appeal to voters that told a story of despair that reverberates across the nation, wrote John Nichols in the Nation. Take-away: "Obama's commercial is a thirty-minute slice of an American story that was crying out to be told .. and that Barack Obama heard."  
  • The infomercial was propagandistic in its effectiveness but it didn't backfire as many had feared it would, wrote Daniel Menaker in HuffPo. Take-away: "Barack Obama may be a New Man for a New  Age -- I hope and even believe that he is -- but his way of winning this election, if he does, is sort of apotheosis of modern advertising and packaging and big-budget electioneering, with a touch of idolatrous fever."
  • Team McCain is relying on a lot more hope than Obama these days, wrote John Dickerson in Slate.  The McCain camp -- and its pollster -- believe it's possible to pull off a W on Nov. 4, but are they crazy? Take-away: "In McCain's most optimistic scenario, he loses a few Republican states like New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Iowa. He just has to hope that he doesn't lose too many of them."
  • What we've learned about McCain was that the infighting and poll numbers suggest is that he was unable to create a coherent philosophy and uninterested in managing a large enterprise, wrote David Broder in the WaPo. Take-away: "The shortcoming was intellectual as well as bureaucratic." 

Comments (12)

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  • Common Sense Friday, Oct 31 at 12:59 AM FLAG COMMENT Thanks for your comment, "middle class". Too many Americans have no idea who the middle class really are and don't understand how business works. It's critical that businesses have the deductions and incentives to spend and invest in their business to keep and grow their businesses. They don't have deep pockets as most employees think and they are not the corporate raiders that you see in Fortune 500 companies. Our country ... MORE >
  • Kelly C Thursday, Oct 30 at 1:27 PM FLAG COMMENT The Obama program was spot on. Senator Obama is the only candidate in many years who has any idea how the middle class actually lives. McCain was born with a silver spoon and obviously still feels he is entitled. My guess is he's just like W, trying to prove something to his Daddy. No comments on Palin, you gotta be kidding. But, seriously, trickle down never worked, never will. All the CEO's and VP's take our money and run. ... MORE >
  • middle class Thursday, Oct 30 at 12:24 PM FLAG COMMENT Obama is not inspiring America. Obama is not looking out for the middle class. Don't you know that if taxes are increased for big business that prices will go up to reflect the increase. Middle Class America will be paying more for goods and services. How will that grow the economy? NOT. Spread the wealth means more on welfare. Sorry but I work hard for my money and don't want to give it up. Wake up America before it's to ... MORE >
  • Texas Bird Thursday, Oct 30 at 12:12 PM FLAG COMMENT I found the program touching and inspirational. I genuinely believe that Obama is in touch with and cares about us who are struggling with our failing economy. I see mostly fear-mongering and hate speech from the McCain-Palin campaign.
  • terry ferraro Thursday, Oct 30 at 10:57 AM FLAG COMMENT I thought Senator Obama's speech last night was MAGNIFICIENT. He is so refreshing. He is for the middle class people. It was so nice to hear someone that is so intelligent. He is what the country needs so badly. He definitely has my vote.

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