Those Pesky Campaign Ads
The following are the most recent national campaign ads the two presumptive presidential nominees have approved for distribution.
First, John McCain’s ad which began airing this past week:
Now Senator Obama’s ad which will begin airing on Friday:
Now, if you knew absolutely nothing about these two individuals would either of these ads sell you on their capacity to hold the Office of the Presidency?
While the current President may not be popular according to the polls, he does have those who have remained loyal to him. Is it in John McCain’s favor to continue to remind those in that category that he bucked President Bush so often in his 8 years in office?
It is fine that the Senator stood on principle and held to his beliefs, however, his attempt to convince voters that he was far brighter than a sitting president is presumptuous to say the least.
This particular ad offers no solutions and does not introduce the candidate in a way which, at least in my opinion, would convince those on the fence that he is the best man for the job.
On the other hand, the ad produced by the Obama campaign puts him right in your living room. Putting all the politics aside, it leaves you with a knowledge of the mans life.
Many could probably relate to the short story he tells. Working class parents, financing their own way through college and strong family values.
Again, if you knew nothing of what has transpired in the lives or politics of either man, which would you choose just based on these ads?
Just one opinion and a little advice (while I appreciate it makes absolutely no difference what I think) for John McCain.
We all know of your military service and sacrifice and it is admired.
You have made it clear more than once that you think you have had many ideas which you felt were superior to that of President Bush and your GOP colleagues in the Senate.
But, and this is a big but, you still have not found a way to “connect” with a vast majority of voters. You have not yet managed to get into our living rooms. Don’t address us as your “friend” but rather as citizens who deeply cares about this election.
As for Senator Obama, he has had the fortune of the press giving his candidacy a great tailwind but I believe there is something larger than that afoot.
People seem to have grown very weary of the old school politicians, those who have been in power and in so many eyes have in one way or another failed the general public.
Many in the electorate seem delighted with the new voice, new face, new rhetoric. Few are reading between the lines yet many understand that in campaigns much is said which will never again come to the surface when a nominee sits in the big chair.
We still have a way to go and maybe the debates will offer a better understanding of each of these men.
At least I hope so.
Written by Sue
David M. Says:
June 19th, 2008 at 7:34 pmVisit David M.
I love the way you posted this and posed the question. Without a doubt, if I knew nothing about the candidates and chose only on the ads, it would have to be Obama. It has more substance and I think the ending…”I approve this ad because…” is so much more powerful than ‘I’m John McCain and I approve this ad.’
Sue Says:
June 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pmVisit Sue
David:
Me too..and I think there are probably voters who do judge candidates by these ads rather than educating themselves fully on the issues.
I really do believe unless John McCain can introduce himself in a fashion which portrays him as “likeable” as well as knowledgeable we may very well be looking at a President Obama come January.
Guss Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 5:08 amVisit Guss
Isn’t it something the way people can be swayed by a well financed and rehearsed spiel? Back in the 60’s I was a door to door magazine salesman. A group of young people and I worked all the way from Maine to California. I did great but every evening we would practice our spiel on each other. We became pretty good actors and that’s what these politicians are. I can’t believe that I have been so damn gullible for all these . It’s the same old, Have you voted in this years big district savings bond contest?
Sue Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 9:43 amVisit Sue
Just as television news has become “entertainment” so have these campaigns in many ways. Sad but I fear true.
Gee, Guss, I did that cross country trip by auto many years ago and loved it. Did you find a certain area of the country which you particularly enjoyed?
Guss Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 9:51 amVisit Guss
It was all good but I really enjoyed the Grand Canyon.
~J~ Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 10:45 amVisit ~J~
While Obama’s ad seems smoother we have to remember McCain has the job of separating himself from an unpopular president as the Democrats are trying to portray him as President Bush’s third term.
It’s still only June and I think most people are not paying attention to the general election except for those of us who are political freaks.
Let’s see what happens after the conventions going into September when the weather cools and people start to pay attention. For now I’d love a vacation from any political ads.
Sue Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 3:20 pmVisit Sue
Guss:
I loved it all but the flatlands and cornfields in the Heartland.
It would bet much of that is changed now but at the time we took that trip it seemed as though the miles crept through a few of those states.
~J~:
I only know that if I saw these ads back to back and had no knowledge of either individual, the one produced by Obama’s campaign would leave me with a much better feeling than McCain’s.
Part of my personal problem with John McCain is the fact that he wants to not only run from the President but in many cases from a party which has provided pretty darn well for him and his family.
Not that he does not have a conservative voting record, he does, but he does not show himself (in my opinion) to have the humility which should accompany a President. I really have a lot of difficulty voting for someone who I do not feel deserves to be President, but in this cycle there is no other choice.
Don’t think we are getting any vacations from ads from here through November (and other than comparisons like the one above I won’t bother to post them) as I read today that Obama is considering a big buy during the Olympics. Smart political move and he will certainly have the cash to do so.
David M. Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 5:14 pmVisit David M.
To change the subject slightly, Senator McCain is in favor of off-shore oil drilling, but opposes drilling in the Alaskan wilderness. I don’t know his position on drilling in the Great Lakes, but do believe he has been asked that question. At one point, I read that off-shore drilling will produce only a negliable amount of oil in comparison to the Alaskan wilderness. Perhaps COgirl will see this and express her opinion. I support more nuclear energy, so I agree with him on that point. We use a lot of solar energy and some wind generated energy in NM, but we do have something like 350+ days of sunshine a year.
Sue Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 5:56 pmVisit Sue
David:
As for the Great Lakes question I think there is a permanent ban which Congress placed on drilling in that region. I could be wrong but that could be why he has been pressed on that issue a bit.