The Daily Background
| Trifecta of tough new Obama ads
by Arlen Parsa
1. “Real Change”
Let’s start out with the weakest of the three. It features Obama sitting there, and without mentioning McCain’s name, he suggests that the other campaign has hijacked the message of change and won’t make a meaningful difference in American’s lives. Effectiveness, in my opinion: B-
2. No Mavericks
Simple premise: John McCain is too close to lobbyists. It’s a good ad because it accomplishes two fundamental things that Obama needs to do: A) it undercuts the idea that McCain is a Maverick, B) it suggests Palin is “no Maverick either.” Effectiveness in my opinion: B+
3. “Still”
My favorite of the three. It uses retro 1980s imagery and humor to suggest that McCain is just out of touch with the public and the opposite of what a modern president should be. Plus, the end of the ad reinforces the idea that McCain is just like Bush by picturing them together. Effectiveness in my opinion: A-
I just wonder if these are all ghost ads…
Update: Here’s a fourth that the Obama campaign says is on the air:
Finally (?)…
“You know,” said McCain, “there’s been tremendous turmoil in our financial markets and Wall Street and it is — people are frightened by these events. Our economy, I think, still the fundamentals of our economy are strong….