Comments on: Which Ad Is More Effective, McCain or Obama?

By: grlpwr

grlpwr — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:16:18 +0000

I am a Dem. who is wringing her hands. I live in the Bible belt and most all “Christians” here vote Republican, and sooo many racists among these “Christians” In the past week, I have heard this absurd reason for voting for McCain, even from Dems “If Obama wins, he will be assassinated then there will be a Black uprising in the streets.” Second excuse, “Obama will raise our taxes.” I fear no ad will be helpful here and, fear this Obama ad
will be only viewed as negative in this unholy region.

By: VaaK

VaaK — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:14:26 +0000

I agree with those who say McCain’s ad will be more effective. Although it misstates the record, few viewers will know this.

The ad responds directly to the financial crisis and argues that McCain and Palin will deal with it. It is no nonsense and positive in the sense that it promises a solution.

The Obama ad is negative in two ways: First, it repeats the criticism of McCain’s ads as negative. And, by repeating criticism of McCain, it reinforces the negative creepy crawly reaction to all things political.

McCain , I think, is winning the ad war. He is presenting himself and Palin as transcendent figures who can solve problems with “reform.” He has co-opted “hope” as well as reform.

At the very least, Obama needs to be out there with ads that say:
Obama/Biden: The Competent Choice for Change. The ticket with actual plans, etc.
Or something like that.

By: calscientist

calscientist — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:12:56 +0000

I agree that the Obama ad is very good, but I will give McCain this: that ad hits the right notes but depends upon you to trust them. From my readings and discussions, that is not the case and, moreover, his continued assertion that the economy is fundamentally sound undercuts the message of the ad.

By: Blue

Blue — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:08:11 +0000

A composite of McCain’s ad would be good for Obama … The economy in crisis (clip of McCain saying how fundamentally strong the economy is) etc. How can McCain/Palin fix it when they don’t even realize there’s a problem? etc.

I don’t know that ads that require people to read quotes from others are necessarily effective (clips with them saying it another matter).

By: bonkers

bonkers — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:02:01 +0000

So, all those other positive ads that Obama ran were worthless and meant nothing? He finally gets tough and some of you wring your hands?

My first thought as well. Saw a study recently that showed Obama has a much higher percentage of “positive” ads than McInsane, and Obama’s been dropping in polls. I think Obama first had to set the tone that he’s the adult in the race, and was then waiting for just the right time to pounce, which is what he’s done now that even BigMedia is questioning McInsane’s honesty, and that helps bolster Obama’s “negative” attacks now. If Obama would’ve gone negative sooner, BigMedia would’ve rallied around St. John and essentially called Obama uppity. Obama’s been playing rope-a-dope very, very well.

As far as undecideds, Obama’s is by far the best of these two. These people haven’t decided yet because they’re familiar with the McInsane name and image (no matter how fake it is), and Obama might still be a little too exotic for them. I suspect many might be leaning Obama but they’re still just a little too comfortable with the McInsane brand, which has been built for over 35 years, to try something new in Obama.

Obama’s ad helps dismantle this one remaining advantage, which is false, that McInsane has with undecideds. No amount of Obama “positive” ads will accomplish this, so Obama has to take the lipstick off the pig that is the McInsane campaign, which this ad does very well.

By: nickrhoward

nickrhoward — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:39:18 +0000

Which ad is more effective just depends on how the media treat the two ads.
If the media acts as normal they will treat the Obama ad complaining about McCain’s lies as both equally negative ads. As if lying about your opponent and pointing out that your opponent is lying(when he is) are the same thing. That’s why McCain thinks he can get away with lying about virtually everything. And he may be right; we’ll just have to wait and see.
If McCain wins America will be seen as the “bad guys” by the rest of the world for the rest of all our lives. That’s just one thing that is at stake in this election, though probably not the biggest thing; that would be whether or not we remain a democracy at all. One more justice on the Supreme Court that agrees with Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Roberts and abortion won’t be the only thing that would no longer have any legal standing. Congress and the Senate would have ZERO power. No law would have any standing unless the Republican president agreed with it…

By: kala

kala — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:23:08 +0000

obama needs to get the harry and louise healthcare reform ad on the airwaves. i agree with others who have indicated he needs to have ads such as the one featured here in addition to those which highlight his distinction from mccain on the major issues.

he’s got the money. he needs to spend it.

itunkala

By: kala

kala — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:13:19 +0000

i think obama’s is more effective … but then, i’m clearly biased for my 4th choice.

itunkala

By: behindthefall

behindthefall — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:10:17 +0000

My two cents worth: The voice-over in Obama’s ads sounds smug and smarmy. I instinctively recoil from being convinced by anything said in such a tone. Let Obama read his own ads, or find someone as good as he is.

By: demi

demi — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:10:01 +0000

whew.