Why’d you make a commercial like that?

September 30, 2009February 21, 2011 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ Leave a comment

For those of us in the Washington, D.C. media market who spend our evenings enjoying local news followed by the power hour of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, this Creigh Deeds commercial is very familiar:

It is, obviously, an attempt to throw Bob McDonnell’s 20-year-old words back at him – and since Deeds’s other strategy is a crippling inability to give straight answers, the strategy is sound. This commercial is almost laughably bad, though – and not just for the forced lines, stereotypical feminists, awkward pauses, or the final line – “Why did you vote that way?” – being blurted like a Valley Girl’s question about when the mall opens.

It’s clearly geared toward working women in Northern Virginia, but if all professional women in Northern Virginia were as angry as the women in this commercial appear, there would probably be a lot more men walking around maimed. The actors are confrontational – which wouldn’t be a problem if the commercial was being watched by McDonnell.

Unless an independent voter already shares their rage, chances are this commercial will not convince them. A more persuasive – and effective – method of conveying righteous indignation would have been to show these women with families, or to feature younger professionals in their early 20’s. That would have helped independent audiences to connect with the women. Their demeanor was way off, as well: media trainers will always suggest you smile whenever you are on camera, because it will help viewers identify with you more. It’s difficult to identify with someone who is shouting at you.

The Deeds campaign could also have used humor intentionally: “Bob McDonnell’s thesis – A Caveman Could Do It.” Thay’ve put together a pretty funny commercial as it is – but I don’t think that was the intended effect.

There’s no app for that

September 29, 2009September 29, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ 1 Comment

Apple has rejected a proposed iPhone application because it is, as ReadWriteWeb reports, “politically charged.” The app in question helps advocates for nationalized, single-payer health insurance organize and make an impact – or it would, if anyone could download it.

There are plenty of people who would disagree with the app’s goal. But, as with any speech, the answer is to respond in kind – perhaps to create another app that helps people organize and speak out for a patient-driven health care system.

Apple has every right to reject any app it wants. That may not be the best business decision, though. Part of the iPhone’s appeal is it’s ability to be the Swiss army knife of mobile devices through the various applications. By rejecting political applications, Apple is cutting out a large segment of potential users. (And incidentally, the Obama campaign released a similar app about a year ago to help mobilize voters and volunteers.)

If this move was an attempt to avoid political controversy, Apple couldn’t have gotten it more wrong.

Other than politicians, does ANYONE vote?

September 29, 2009September 28, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ Leave a comment

As the Post’s Chris Cillizza notes in his coverage of the California Republican primary, Meg Whitman is a non-voter. Join the club.

It is somewhat amazing that a political outsider, such as Whitman, can’t easily and fearlessly answer for a lack of showing up at the polls. Instead, stuck behind the concept that it isn’t ok to skip an election, she called the voting records errors and told reporters to “go find” the proof of her claim.

But not voting is not a crime – in fact, it’s a fairly regular occurrence for many and an honest response could have spoken to those who feel disillusioned with government. “I didn’t vote because I didn’t feel like there was a reason to,” she could have said. “Like many Californians, I felt left behind by politics as usual. Finally I decided, enough is enough – I can’t sit by and let the career politicians hijack the government that’s supposed to represent me.”

And she could go on – the first draft writes itself.

This strategy does have a major flaw: owning up to being a non-voter may help a candidate appeal to a large demographic, but they are precious little help in elections… after all, they don’t vote.

Hope comes from more than deep pockets

September 28, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ 1 Comment

The San Francisco Chronicle’s headline over a story about the California Republican state convention was correct: “California GOP Sees Hope On the Horizon.” But they missed what may be the most important quote about the prospect of Republican prospects in all 50 states:

California Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth urged party members to reach out to supporters of the anti-tax, anti-government tea parties that have been held across the country over the past several months.

“Here’s the challenge: They’re angry at everyone,” Hollingsworth said. “We have to make sure to earn their trust. These folks have to realize that their natural home is the Republican Party.”

During a recent friendly debate, a liberal friend told me the Republicans should ignore the tea-party types. “Those people are going to vote for Republicans anyway,” he reasoned. Hollingsworth isn’t so sure, though – and he has it right.

Hollingsworth’s decision to take nothing granted is reminiscent of an old political legend. Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House and one of the most powerful politicians in the country, allegedly ran into an old acquaintance on Election Day one year. This acquaintance, a little old lady who had known the Speaker for decades, mentioned that she had not voted for him; when the incredulous O’Neill asked why, she supposedly answered, “because you never asked me.”

We all know the media landscape is changing, but…

September 25, 2009September 24, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ Leave a comment

As this video (the fourth in a series) points out, sometimes the surprise isn’t that the media landscape is changing, but how fast:

Wanted: Online “community organizer”

September 24, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ 1 Comment

The latest controversy surrounding ACORN came about because of an excellent viral YouTube video. James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles made a point others had made (that ACORN is corrupt) but did so in a funny, entertaining way.

Since the ensuing furor was sparked by online tactics, ACORN is striking back with this job listing for a Social Media Organizer. Telling is this part of the job description:

Developing new and innovative methods for the use of social networking technologies, including video, to enhance community organizing.

ACORN must have learned that if you’re business is community organizing, it’s probably not good to get out-organized.

A site called “Funny or Die” shouldn’t be anywhere near healthcare

September 23, 2009September 23, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ Leave a comment

This snarky “Save the Insurance Companies” PSA featuring Will Ferrell is a hit, at least in terms of its viewership. .

It’s certainly better than Kicking and Screaming, and it’s makes the point that many on the left are trying to drive home – that insurance companies are greedy leeches who profit from sickness, and that their money should be commandeered to fund publicly administered health insurance plans.

But the Personal Democracy Forum brings up an interesting point about the timing of this video. Released just this week, the intense health care debate is already pretty mature. Sarcasm and oversimplifications can help frame the debate, but they are less effective in moving the debate along.

Much like a tardy Ron Burgundy bursting into the Channel 4 newsroom after spending some time in a glass case of emotion, Will Ferrell may be too late to make his point.

In support of Capitalism

September 22, 2009September 22, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ Leave a comment

There’s no way to protest capitalism like champagne in a penthouse. That’s how the afterparty for the premiere of Michael Moore’s newest movie, Capitalism: A Love Story supposedly went down.

This stunt invites the typical criticism of Moore: that he’s a hypocrite enamored with the idea of himself as a Hollywood star. He’s an easy target for ridicule from the right, and his methods are questionable, but that’s not why Moore fails as a filmmaker. Moore’s shortcoming is in the types of movies he makes.

Ever see Canadian Bacon? It’s a great movie about the military industrial complex hijacking the US government written and directed by Michael Moore. There’s a strong anti-military undercurrent if you are looking for social commentary; if you aren’t, it’s just a funny movie that paints the picture of a country bought and sold by military contractors.

Could a similar movie have gotten Moore’s points across better than Bowling for Columbine or Sicko? Probably – just as a novel is more memorable than a textbook. Of course, that may not be Moore’s goal. Perhaps he is trying to be the conscience of Hollywood – the compass which gives direction to other movies which hit the same themes. In DC, the analogy might be to think tanks like the Heritage Foundation or Center for American Progress supplying research and ideas to political candidates.

Either way, come October 2, Michael Moore’s movie is coming to a theater near you. I’m looking forward to it. And the irony of decrying capitalism in a venue which costs $10 in admission will not likely be lost.

Bad Deeds

September 18, 2009September 18, 2009 ~ Jim Eltringham ~ 1 Comment

With his campaign seemingly obsessed with Bob McDonnell’s grad school thesis, Creigh Deeds was starting to sound like a one-trick-pony. As John McCain learned in 2008, defining your campaign is difficult if the race becomes a referendum on your opponent. But Deeds found a way to make it even harder on himself with his discussion on transportation:

Barring some scandal or monumental shift, this is the defining moment of the 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race. Bob McDonnell has been consistent, if unexciting. This clips makes it tough for Deeds to answer that consistency. And it’s tough to be exciting when you split policy hairs about raising one type of tax versus another.

Perhaps Deeds was trying to excite the Democratic base by channeling Ted Kennedy.