Obama Infomercial: Reviews and Ratings
By SilentPatriot Thursday Oct 30, 2008 10:30amFirst, the monster ratings:
The Obama special was seen by 26.3 million viewers across broadcasters CBS, NBC and Fox, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings. If you add Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, that total climbs to 29.9 million.
The entertainment programming that usually runs in the slot on those three networks has averaged a cumulative 23.1 million viewers each week since the start of the season -- 12% lower than the Obama ad total. Put another way, the time period averages about 7.7 million viewers and a 2.4 adults 18-49 rating per network. In the preliminary ratings, the ad pulled an average of 9.2 million viewers and a 2.7 average rating per network -- boosting the advertiser-friendly adult demo by 13%.
Looks like voters were pretty damn interested in what Obama had to say. It would be nice to see the breakdown of Dems/Repubs/Indies.
Now some reviews from the nation's top TV critics.
"Obama uses his TV time well ... There was talk about tough issues but no harsh attacks on the other side and no flashes of anger. It was if the campaign had adopted a new political mantra: Speak softly and carry a big ad." -- USA Today
"There was barely a whisper of negativity in the half hour, but the almost Palinesque call to self-reliance that ran through the show from start to finish undercut both the GOP vice presidential candidate's and McCain's complaints that Obama's big-government philosophy borders on socialism ... Without a wild-eyed college kid in sight, the youthful candidate made his pitch not for change into some newfangled tomorrow, but back to the values of the past. He certainly lost nothing from the infomercial, and it's likely he found more than a few buyers." -- Jonathan Storm, Philadelphia
A reader at TPM makes a great point:
Obama can go on TV for 30 minutes and not mention John McCain even once.
No way would the reverse be true.
Exactly. I'm of the mind that while Obama ought to fight back against McCain's desperate last-minute smears, he should construct his closing message around the themes of unity and a brighter future, much like he did in his incredibly successful Olympics ad. Americans are sick of the divisive politics of old. They're looking for solutions, not scapegoats.
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because if he did, if he got angry and called John not-so-pleasant names he would play right into the angry black man stereotype and lose the election terribly.
In order to win Obama HAD to stay above the fray and be 10x better than any white candidate ever would have been (just like Jackie Robinson could never have an off-day when he played). It's unfortunate, but it's the truth.
That being said, man did Obama pull it off bigtime. Kudos to Barack!
Oh, and edited to add... FIRST
Obama won over Independents and fair minded Republicans by not jumping into the toilet with Grandpa Recessionist and Winky Seccessionist. His demeanor is perfectly suited for what will be the hardest job in the world.
I am for Obama, but I didn't care for the ad. It was very close to
perfect I am sure for MsM viewers. Being such a media cynic, I
couldn't finish it.
I AM FREAKING OUT ON THE NEW PALIN NICNAME!!!!!!
BIBLE SPICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For a Caribou Barbie for Christmas.
She overheard me talk about Caribou Barbie a while back with the wife and she thinks is just some new Barbie doll she doesn't have.
Just in time for Christmas!! She can come with lipstick and a 'snow machine' and say one of four phrases
You betcha
Thanks but no thanks
Joe mama
and
Anyone want to hire me? I need a job!!!!
Mention who? It is time for a change and Obama is the one that will bring it :)
The real upbeat message was well chosen. Eight years have certainly been enough to prove 'trickle down' doesn't work, even to Greenspan.
McCain to Counter, with Appearance on ‘Wayne’s World’
"I have pictures."
[cut to McCain looking clueless]
LOLing out my chair
Photoshop his mcgramps,sarah's and joe's heads here:
http://highered.prblogs.org/files/2007/06/clu...
Obama should've had a slap-fight and a screaming fit like they have on America's Top Model.
Obama comes off as the intelligent caring adult in this thing. McCain comes off as a sort of silly and kind of angry old grandfather.
Obama can go on TV for 30 minutes and not mention John McCain even once.
No way would the reverse be true.
Here in Chicago on the NBC affiliate they followed up Obama's time slot with a particularly vile hit ad for mcshame. You could smell the desperation coming through the teevee screen.
While McCain says he knows how to do this and he knows how to do that, Obama talks about what we can do together.
But mcslime has a plan.
This presentation was profoundly emotional and connected with people's hearts and guts. There wasn't a dry eye in my house last night. I think this makes for the best closing argument we've ever witnessed from a candidate.
On another note: Huffpo just confirmed that McCain had to bus in 4,000+ school kids to make it look like he had people at his rally. Nice trick! I've been noticing an overwhelming number of school-age kids at his rallies this entire week. No doubt he's up to sneaky stuff - it's who this man is - A TOTAL FRAUD.
Check it out!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/mcca...
I have suspected he was doing something like that ever since the day he introduced Palin as his running mate. That day you could hear lots and lots of young male voices cheering and making all kinds of crowd noise. Before he took the stage to introduce Palin there were little cheerleaders on the stage doing cheers. That was kind of a give away that there might be a bunch of school kids in the audience.
I wonder if these kids are from public schools. If so, is that legal?
I guess if they have the parents permission it could be.
"It was if the campaign had adopted a new political mantra: Speak softly and carry a big ad."
Which campaign are they talking about? Obama has carried himself as an even-tempered gentleman for 2 solid years. Nice try at pushing the "both sides do it" meme, while softening their snark with a preceding compliment. At least they got the first observation right, which is more than FuxYous, the Washington Times and the NY Post will accomplish.
Meh. Obama cannot lose to the Republic[sic] cretins. Now, will he actually be sworn in as president? That remains to be seen and hinges on who counts the votes and how they are tabulated and recorded.
Gwen Ifill had partisan attorneys from both side of the spectrum in an interview last night. The African-American attorney spoke of the misinformative mailing being sent in Virginia, and the White attorney who was part of the last recount discussed ACORN abuses, and potential for fraudulent voters. Here's the link.
Both sides of this election are ready for lots of litigation. The republican attorney almost seems ready to burst at the prospect.
I enjoyed it. The format reminded me of Sicko a bit: explore and connect with the struggles of individual families. McCain no longer exists.
Good move.
This was also a long-overdue invitation for american citizens to rejoin our democracy and finally have a voice in our government.
Over the past 8 years, the Bush administration has arrogantly laughed in our faces while they used the Constitution as toilet paper. At every turn, Bush defied the law and laughed in our faces about it knowing that we couldn't even protest, thanks to his Anti-Patriot Act.
It's time for the people to take back control of our country from these fascists who have done nothing but destroy it over the past 8 years.
Not this time, Republicans! Not this time! The people are wrenching control and power away from you because you've shown that you are incapable of handling it.
You can't watch his final big ad without coming to that conclusion. Whatever the ratings might show, the undeniable thing was his ability to reason, his compassion for Americans of all kinds, his willingness to listen and his ability to learn.
Compare that to Bush, Cheney, McCain and the Moose Lady.
Game over for Karl Rove's "permanent Republican majority."
Obama is a reasonable, intelligent man
Thu, 10/30/2008 - 11:50 — jimbo92107
You can't watch his final big ad without coming to that conclusion. Whatever the ratings might show, the undeniable thing was his ability to reason, his compassion for Americans of all kinds, his willingness to listen and his ability to learn.
Compare that to Bush, Cheney, McCain and the Moose Lady.
Like this?
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i38/richard...
My wife currently teaches a pre-K class for special needs hearing impaired children (five kids ages 4 & 5, four Hispanic and one Polish). She asked them yesterday what they think of the presidential candidates. All five said they like Obama because he has a kind face. They thought the other one looked like a scary grandpa.
He doesn't like McCain because he stuck his tongue out. My son in his very earnest way said that it is very rude to stick one's tongue out and it wasn't very nice.
You may be able pull the old takin' the quarter out of their ear trick but you sure can't bullshit 'em.
One area that is not being addressed. Single Social Security recipients that are having a hard time making ends meet. I just joined this group and am having a difficult time making ends meet. Are SS benefits have been raided by this administration and others for years. I read where if SS benefits were tied to inflation our benefits would be close to twice what they are now. The are now way below the poverty level.
For months we have been hearing from the republican that we don not know enough about Obama -- the was a way for him refute all of that nonsense and also feature the stories of the people he wants to represent. Bravo!
But of course Hannity has been crying about how awful it was -- jealous much?
"That infomercial was so awful, it made Obama look good and McCain look bad! WAAAAHHH!!!" :P
am i seeing right on here? why do posters use such words as old white guys , or granpa in a post to describe thier feelings of joy at obamas good fortune of most probably becomeing president , are you not as good as your candidate? i have never seen obama downgrade anyone because they lived long enough to be senior citizens ,or say that a black persons any more honest then a white person, this elections not about race gender or age , if it is were in trouble !
I don't think they are referring to us. I think they are talking about the regular established ruling class.
in what you say Tyree but there is also something to be said for voting for someone better than ourselves as opposed to someone with whom we'd like to booze it up.
But being an old white grandpa I think I can use the term with authority.
One of the things that drew me to Obama in the first place is that he is so different from what we've had for the last 8 years. And I'm not referring to his skin color either. I think it's time we have an intelligent person who can lead us. I don't want a president I can drink a beer with. I want someone better than the rabble I usually hang out with.
(I have enjoyed your posts for as long as I have been visiting here)
I get what you are saying, t. It would be nice if we didn't snark on McLame's age, but the not-for-the-GOP side of the nation is short on patience, frustrated and itching for a scrap so I guess the claws come out a lot.
However, I will answer your question:
no, I am not as good as my candidate. I wouldn't want me as president, even if my heart is in the right place (and it is). I am voting for someone who I perceive as the superior candidate, far superior to myself in that respect (and likely others), and that includes a candidate that doesn't stoop as low as I sometime, in my cheekier moments, do. That said, I have been trying more often to follow Obama's example. It's the least I can do!
Anyway you slice it...no poll has McCain ahead.
Barack Obama has run a terrific campaign. His team has been top notch. He has pushed back on every attack, including those directed at him during the primaries.
His message has been concise, clear and unobstructed by character attacks on his opponents.
If he does lose...and I don't believe he will, it won't be due to a bad message or poor follow through.
Personally...I stand by what I have said. He is going to win...and we will have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate and a 3/4 majority in the House.
just to be picky. The Fox News internal pundit poll has McCain ascending into heaven while winning a landslide.
"Personally...I stand by what I have said. He is going to win...and we will have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate and a 3/4 majority in the House."
No checks and balances, yes this is a good thing(sarcasm included)
As good as it was for you? How quickly they forget.
....on Obama's presentation probably finished him with most of the remaining Independents. All McGeezer does is attack Obama, and to this day has yet to comprehensively expain what he will do....just like the trolls who waste time here daily.
I bet not many McCain voters watched it. The question is how many independents or people that have not made up their mind yet watched it?
Lets see if there is a bounce?
to be as strong as President Obama and not react with anger at the right wing bastards who are flinging shit at the wall in a desperate attempt to smear their opponents. Why do you think McCain/Palin's top paid staffers are the make up people? It's to scrape the shit off their candidates from the overspray and the stuff that splattered off the walls.
When I hear McCain call Obama a socialist and a Marxist and That One (that one what Johnny?) I want to rip his eyes out and skull fuck him.
But I can't, so instead I call him senile and T Rex, and everything I can think of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgcxd9wtXUE
Obama could not buy airtime on CNN. They would not allow it for whatever reason. So then CNN gives McCain a free hour of airtime on Larry King. What is up with that? It is not like they needed to be balanced because no one gave Obama free airtime. He had to pay for it. It would be like CNN added up all the commericals that Obama has done and said we will give McCain the same amount of time that Obama has done on commericals on our network for free. They should now let Obama go on Larry King for one hour.
Someone help me out. What did Jonathon Storm mean by a "Palinesque call to self reliance"? He didn't mean Sarah, did he?
They're already starting the 2012 campaign.
While McCain has been doing everything he can to make Obama an outcast he has simply been outclassed. By sending a message of hate McCain has sealed his fate. This video which i could not watch last night because i was at work is everything Obama has been saying since day one. His message has not changed. McCain disagrees with everything McCain said three months ago. He disagrees with his running mate. He disagrees with me, with you and the best future of our country.
While McCain stands for nothing Obama stands head and shoulders above him.
That was one hell of a half hour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbFyuwg5Hf4&fe...
AP put out this supposed fact check. No Yahoo news has given anything positive to Barack for his ad last night. No surprise.
Personally, I didn't think I was going to be able to make it. He did a good job keeping the time distributed to specific topics and showing people that are ailing and seeking change. Very powerful, and the ratings I think are strong evidence.
What kind of response from McCain. Same old. I think we haven't seen the worst. I expect that they will come out with some terribly rotten allegations within a day or two of election. This will give very little opportunity for retort. I hope Obama is prepared for this.
My daughter has asked for a Caribou Barbie for Christmas.
ThunderMonkey..that's great! LOL! How old is she?
Did she have to promise to floss her teeth after eating it?
Not only did he not mention McCain's name, but, if I remember correctly, he did not even mention the word Republican. I was also amazed at Barack's tone during the entire piece. He had a very calm and soothing demeanor as he presented himself to the nation. I hope that it swayed some people on the fence to our side.
I didn't see the broadcast but when I watched the late news on a Boston station we get they were comparing Obama to the shopping network in a very negative way. Trying to laugh at him.
I usually don't watch any msm stations especially for news and their sickening propaganda is the reason why.
I am old enough to recall when news was really news and the people presenting it wouldn't dare interject their inane personal opinion for fear of losing their damn jobs.
I just grepped the text of the Obamamercial and they didn't mention the word republican even once.
Or the names Bush. McCain, and Palin.
Jonathan Storm needs to be beaten about the head with an unabridged OED for using the term "palinesque".
Don'tcha mean IED?
i'll repeat: "Palinesque"???
way too much flattery there...
I watched both. Obama was Confidant and ready from the very First Day. McCain looks unprepared and shaky in front of Larry. Pale and Frustrated to play his same old records. Seemed even he himself was not interested of playing this old records. But he has no other option at this moment.
Still we, all the 'Jo' - don't know how McCain will save us ! I only have heard from him that Obama will take money from us.
Last night was good for TeeVee watching. First this excellent, moving
piece from the Obama campaign... and then Barack Obama on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Moved to tears by the heartfelt emotion in the first and to tears by the hilarity in the second... will Obama be able to vote for himself?
I sure will be able to vote for him with great enthusiasm.
I was hoping that he would give us something of substance. Been waiting for Obama to be more forth-coming about his background. But, I guess I can give up on expecting that. I really wanted to find some reason to vote for Obama, but this Hillarybabe is going to go for McCain. I'm getting a little sick of how Obama and Biden are trying to Silence everyone who dares to "question" them. Heck- Hillary was taken through the wringer- nothing was left un-turned. But Obama can get away with anything he wants.
Sorry Barry
I watched a small portion of Obama's infomercial before I was forced to turn it off.
It seemed ok to me compared to the rest of what obama has said.
What I would like to ask is this:
Lets just drop all of the rest of the [Deleted. Let's just drop all the concern trolling and flamebaiting-Sitemonitor]
But there was a high comfort level in watching the infomercial because it is clear that Obama truly understands the issues. We can only hope that he gets enough support to carry through as he has promised but given the enormity of the problems left over from the insidious and odious Bush Administration I think there will be enough Repug trouble makers left in the Congress to make it difficult.
Don't know where they got their info.
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