U.S. Politics and Pop Culture
August 1st 2008 07:55
Category: No Category
I really didn't need to know that John McCain and his team were paying more attention to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton than they could possibly help. According to the latest ad from their campaign, Barack O has joined their league in becoming one of the biggest international celebrities of our times (but can he lead, they go on to ask). It is very revealing that instead of focusing on what they perceive as the strengths of their campaign, they're focusing on their opponent instead. This is just going to boost his popularity even more, because it's all about Obama. Any publicity is good publicity, especially when you compare someone to a megastar (or two). I had never thought of Obama as that renowned, so thank you Mr. McCain!
If they're really so unhappy with their opponent's high profile, and I don't see how they would be happy about it, they should have brought up McCain and why his policies are likely to bring the USA the notoriety it 'truly' deserves. You know 'famous with the right people' and all that. (Okay, why am I giving the Republicans campaign ideas?) This ad seems to be driven by annoyance and fear, as if they're incredibly irritated by the Democratic candidate's ubiquity in the media. "Oh, Obama, you are just sooo damn popular(, but you don't deserve the support that is coming your way)," they seem to be saying. Nice. As Dale Carnegie knew, you get lure in more bees with honey. Build up your own support instead of trying to undermine your competitor's.
How has the Obama campaign responded? Tommy Vietor said, "on a day when major news organizations across the country are taking Sen. McCain to task for a steady stream of false, negative attacks, his campaign has launched yet another. Or, as some might say, 'Oops! He did it again.' "
Good point, but, like, can we not make invoking Britney Spears a regular thing? If you're going to make pop culture references, I suggest you look elsewhere for material. Tommy refers to McCain's attacks on Barack's lack of interest in off-shore drilling for oil, a move that wouldn't pay off for ages, and even when it did it would only reduce the cost of oil by 3 or 4 cents a gallon, according to MoveOn.org.
Here's the email I received from MoveOn today:
Last month, conservatives led by Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh sent over a million messages to Congress calling for offshore oil drilling. Then John McCain joined the push for drilling. Now he's running ads saying Obama's responsible for high gas prices, because Obama's energy plan focuses on alternative energy—not drilling.
It's a scam. Offshore drilling won't save any money at the pumps for years (although it will boost oil company profits). But some senior Democrats are showing signs of caving under all this pressure—and polls show McCain's attacks may be hurting Obama.
Here's the truth: Right now, progressives are losing this argument. We all need to fight back. If we don't, we could end up losing the election AND the fight for clean energy.
We've got a simple, powerful new ad that tells the truth about the Republicans' drilling scam. Will you check it out, and chip in $25 to help get it on the air right away?
Really Long Link
McCain is so focused on drilling because he knows people are anxious enough about energy costs to make this the issue of the 2008 elections. When you're worried about how you're going to afford the drive to work, or how you're going to get your kids to school, and you have no other short-term options—you'll be open to anything that might help. McCain is preying on that anxiety by offering offshore drilling as a quick fix.
Offshore drilling won't fix gas prices or our dependence on foreign oil. There simply isn't enough oil offshore or in the Arctic, and it will take up to a decade to get what little is there. Even then, we would only save 3 or 4 cents a gallon!1
Offshore drilling is a gimmick—but it will be the gimmick that works for John McCain if we don't push back now.
The contest for the most effective campain ads is just beginning, and the most recent battleground has become MTV. Responding to an ad launched by McCain on this youth-oriented network, MoveOn is now aiming to get the following ad on the air: Hope: It Could Happen To You. It's playful, made by young people for young people, and worth checking out. If you like it and want to help get it on air, you'll be able to donate a dollar or two on the page provided.
Hope you're doing everything you can to sway the election Barack Obama's way,
Love,
Epiphanie
Yes, this really reminds me of Barack Obama...
If they're really so unhappy with their opponent's high profile, and I don't see how they would be happy about it, they should have brought up McCain and why his policies are likely to bring the USA the notoriety it 'truly' deserves. You know 'famous with the right people' and all that. (Okay, why am I giving the Republicans campaign ideas?) This ad seems to be driven by annoyance and fear, as if they're incredibly irritated by the Democratic candidate's ubiquity in the media. "Oh, Obama, you are just sooo damn popular(, but you don't deserve the support that is coming your way)," they seem to be saying. Nice. As Dale Carnegie knew, you get lure in more bees with honey. Build up your own support instead of trying to undermine your competitor's.
Good point, but, like, can we not make invoking Britney Spears a regular thing? If you're going to make pop culture references, I suggest you look elsewhere for material. Tommy refers to McCain's attacks on Barack's lack of interest in off-shore drilling for oil, a move that wouldn't pay off for ages, and even when it did it would only reduce the cost of oil by 3 or 4 cents a gallon, according to MoveOn.org.
Here's the email I received from MoveOn today:
Last month, conservatives led by Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh sent over a million messages to Congress calling for offshore oil drilling. Then John McCain joined the push for drilling. Now he's running ads saying Obama's responsible for high gas prices, because Obama's energy plan focuses on alternative energy—not drilling.
It's a scam. Offshore drilling won't save any money at the pumps for years (although it will boost oil company profits). But some senior Democrats are showing signs of caving under all this pressure—and polls show McCain's attacks may be hurting Obama.
Here's the truth: Right now, progressives are losing this argument. We all need to fight back. If we don't, we could end up losing the election AND the fight for clean energy.
We've got a simple, powerful new ad that tells the truth about the Republicans' drilling scam. Will you check it out, and chip in $25 to help get it on the air right away?
Really Long Link
McCain is so focused on drilling because he knows people are anxious enough about energy costs to make this the issue of the 2008 elections. When you're worried about how you're going to afford the drive to work, or how you're going to get your kids to school, and you have no other short-term options—you'll be open to anything that might help. McCain is preying on that anxiety by offering offshore drilling as a quick fix.
Offshore drilling won't fix gas prices or our dependence on foreign oil. There simply isn't enough oil offshore or in the Arctic, and it will take up to a decade to get what little is there. Even then, we would only save 3 or 4 cents a gallon!1
Offshore drilling is a gimmick—but it will be the gimmick that works for John McCain if we don't push back now.
The contest for the most effective campain ads is just beginning, and the most recent battleground has become MTV. Responding to an ad launched by McCain on this youth-oriented network, MoveOn is now aiming to get the following ad on the air: Hope: It Could Happen To You. It's playful, made by young people for young people, and worth checking out. If you like it and want to help get it on air, you'll be able to donate a dollar or two on the page provided.
Hope you're doing everything you can to sway the election Barack Obama's way,
Love,
Epiphanie
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
The use of Britney and Paris was calculated since they are two of the most slutty and vacuous celebritites. They don't stand for anything and often the question that gets asked about them is "why are they even famous?"
That's why they were chosen and that's why the ad is a pathetic joke. Honestly, the modern day republicans continue to make a mockery out of America.
Absolute laughing stock.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Another argument is that they're simply probably the two most popular celebrities in America right now... I can't think of any other starlet that gets as much attention from the media, except perhaps Lindsay Lohan. Oh sure, it probably doesn't hurt the Republican cause that they represent a deterioration of morality to many, but let's not forget that they are also much loved by the American public that perks up whenever they hear them mentioned in the media.
As for 'sluttiness', I don't see what bearing this has on Obama as he's happily married and has no reputation as a 'party boy'. Besides, I hate that word. When women sleep around they get called promiscuous, or worse, but when a man does it it's cool. Words like that are a byproduct of this double standard.
I also don't think it's nice to cast someone's sexual behaviour in a negative light. Paris and Britney incur a lot of hate because they are sexually explorative, none of which is justified. Why can't people accept their choices without scorning them or looking down upon them? I'm sure tons of people are afraid that they secretly want to be like them, hooking up as they like without regard for the misogynistic view that women should limit their sexual partners to a certain socially acceptable standard of whatever.
On the lighter side, maybe Obama should take a leaf out of Britney and Paris' books and pash a bloke to liven things up on a slow news day... Yeah, I can just see that happening, NOT.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
There are many famous people in America, male and female and they chose those two. i don't think it was a coincidence or a case of 'these two will do'. it's a pretty calculated ad.
Funny thing is Britney is a Republican. Ah the irony.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I read that most Americans had a negative reaction to the ad, however I can't locate my source again.
It's interesting that they show the crowd Barack drew in Berlin in that ad, so that if anyone missed the news coverage at the time they can see the effects of his campaign now. Obama is so going to win...