This is one of those ads you'll either love or hate. Too maudlin? Pitch-perfect?
« Democrats: Major Endorsements Yet To Be Won | Main | NRCC Uses Clinton Driver's License Answer To Thump Democrats » Edwards's "Heroes"01 Nov 2007 12:09 pm Comments (20)
It seems pretty seamless, especially compared to what Hillary is running in Iowa. Good, straightforward ad that should appeal to Iowans (who naturally respond well to the guy). 
I was originally anticipating that the re-introduction ad would be more explicitly biographical. Instead, they're hitting the more biographical notes in yesterday's big mailing, and using the TV spot to ride on top of the mailing. Seems smart strategery to me.
Notice that there are no black people in this ad...
Notice that there are no black people in this ad... Atown...have you been to an Iowa caucus?
I haven't seen such shameless manipulation of an audience with the use of terminal cancer since the movie "On Golden Pond".
This makes me want to stab my eyes out. I think he ought to go all out and throw tumorous flesh at the camera while some "real Americans" who look like Kazakh peasants dance and frolic.
Nicely done. They'll get specific later. Notice the American Gothic image.
Hillary's camp via Republico and Taylor marsh is trying to create some fake controversy. as of 2004 Iowa is 95% white, 3.5 % latino and 2.5 % black funny enough Hillary's "Invisible" ad has a single black toddler with about 30 adults in tight shots and not a single black in ANY audience shots. so funny enough the ratio of minorities is lower in Hillary's Invisible ad Iowa is lilly white so get over it http://www.taylormarsh.com/hot_topics.php#718
"Hillary's camp via Republico and Taylor marsh is trying to create some fake controversy." Senator Clinton can't run on the issues, so she's got no choice but to try to run by creating fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
I'm loathe to give this argument any more space, but it's bugging the hell out of me, and OTB brought it up above: I think my real problem with the nasty little meme Politico, Jake Tapper and Taylor Marsh are trying so hard to push re: this ad - and yes, it seems very likely to have come from Hillary, particularly evidenced by Taylor Marsh's enthusiastic backing - is that it both demands and exalts a noxious kind of racial tokenism, deeming aesthetics more important than substance. After all, if David Duke had surrounded himself with non-whites in his ads, would they have given him a pass? Some would, surely - after all, it's not difficult to remember GWB's 2000 campaign, which was never at a loss for young African-American props - but you'd have thought that self-identified progressives like Taylor Marsh wouldn't be among them. What Marsh, et al. perhaps unintentionally (and I'm being generous) insinuate here is that a perfunctory, symbolic nod is in fact more valuable than a substantive commitment to address issues important (maybe even disproportionately so) to non-whites. Edwards' stances on the issues speak for themselves. Do they really think that Edwards is somehow sending a dog-whistle "whites-only" signal? That's preposterous and insulting - to everyone.
"That's preposterous and insulting - to everyone." Welcome to the Clinton for President 'primary mode' campaign.
it's funnier if you watch the aptly named "invisible" hillary add . there must be 100s of people in her add and only one black kid. however, between Hillary pandering on her sex so much it's almost ROVIAN to than accuse someone else with no evidence of doing what you are already doing with her blatant sexists frames.
@Will do you think if Taylor, Ben and Jake tapper watch south park they understand why the one black kid in suburban Co. is called "token"?
This is the most powerful ad I've seen in this presidential season. If you've known cancer in your family--I have--it's a defining piece of who you are. You can be cynical like Atown, hwc (hillary wodham clinton?)or some dude and say this is all about exploitation--cynicism is perhaps the easiest and cheapest view of the world. Or you can understand that cancer forces certain decisions and that getting on with your life and your beliefs is a healthier response than going home and waiting for yourself or your loved one to die. I've been through this. My response to Edwards is thanks for sharing.
This is the most powerful ad I've seen in this presidential season. If you've known cancer in your family--I have--it's a defining piece of who you are. You can be cynical like Atown, hwc (hillary wodham clinton?)or some dude and say this is all about exploitation--cynicism is perhaps the easiest and cheapest view of the world. Or you can understand that cancer forces certain decisions and that getting on with your life and your beliefs is a healthier response than going home and waiting for yourself or your loved one to die. I've been through this. My response to Edwards is thanks for sharing.
The racial background of the woman pouring coffee in the beginning of the ad is unclear to me, but it looks like the ad has at least one person of color.
I don't doubt that many will react the way Max Gee reacted. But I think a substantial number of viewers will feel they are being subject to an unsubtle attempt at manipulation. And yes, I've experienced some very serious illnesses, including a devastating brain cancer case, in my immediate family. I may be more Vulcan than others, but I am made extremely uncomfortable at the use of a disease in the family to sell a candidacy; in my ideal world, no such blatant appeals for sympathy would be made. If, however, cancer or disease is to be mentioned, I draw the line at invoking a family member's disease to explain why the candidate might be passionate, for example, about increasing federal cancer research or expanding access to health care. It's a fine line, I admit, but without that line, it is -- to use Marc's word -- "maudlin" sentimentality.
"The racial background of the woman pouring coffee in the beginning of the ad is unclear to me, but it looks like the ad has at least one person of color." Via Ben Smith: the woman pouring coffee early in the spot is Hispanic, putting them at more or less the same level of diversity that shows up in most candidate ads in Iowa. Her name is Leslie Gilbert, he said; her aunt is involved with the Iowa group Latinos United. Howard Wolfson fed the 'all white ad' idea to Jake Tapper, who printed it early today. Team Clinton is tactically very good. It's the strategic realm where they come up short.
I really liked it. I was stirred.
|
Subscribe to this blog by Email Twitter || On Facebook || QIK Live Channel  Recent Posts
Monthly Archives
|
| 
Copyright © 2008 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
My first thought is that it'll likely wear well on repeat viewings, which is how these things get effective.
Posted by Petey | November 1, 2007 12:25 PM