First Political Ad on MTV Attacks Obama

Conservative Group Calls Him 'Both Ways Barack'

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.24.08 @ 03:08 PM

When Ad Age broke the news that MTV would for the first time ever take political ads, Republicans automatically assumed it was simply so the network could help Barack Obama get elected. Forget the fact that a) he didn't need the help and b) MTV definitely needs the money. Surprise! The first ad is from conservative group Let Freedom Ring and, well, I can't imagine that it's going to convince a single solitary MTV viewer. Even back when the network showed music videos, its viewers cared only about inhaling and underwear choice, not about such things as the Framers' intent -- or in the case of the "Both Ways Barack" spot below, gun control and campaign financing. The ad isn't awful (for a political ad), but it doesn't strike me as the sort of thing appropriate for the MTV set. (Via Wonkette)

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McCain Takes a Funny Dig at Press Corps

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.23.08 @ 05:59 PM

He's handing out Junior Varsity press passes to the poor bastards who didn't get to go on the Obama world tour. Gawker's got the image.

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Obama Makes $5 Million Olympics Buy

First Contender Since Dole to Buy National Broadcast

Posted by Ira Teinowitz on 07.23.08 @ 05:48 PM

WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- It's official. Barack Obama's campaign will be among the TV sponsors of NBC Universal's Olympics coverage. In the first significant network-TV buy of any presidential candidate in at least 16 years, the Obama campaign has taken a $5 million package of Olympics spots that includes network TV as well as cable ads. (READ MORE)

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So What's McCain Doing During Obama's World Tour?

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.22.08 @ 12:35 PM

Barack Obama is going around the world and the media can't get enough. (I'd say that I was actually embarrassed for Katie Couric's coverage so far, but then I'd have to admit that I was watching network news!) So how has McCain been carving out his little bit of spotlight? He's reminding anyone who'll listen that Barack Obama was wrong on the surge. He's fighting with The New York Times over a rejected op-ed (see previous link). And he's running ads on TV and online (not that anyone's paying that much attention).

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McCain Ad Hits Obama on Foreign Policy

Obama Team Says It's 'Same, Tired' Campaign Tactics

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.18.08 @ 05:44 PM

In what might be the first ad of the general election in which Team McCain attacks Barack Obama by name, they draw attention to Obama's record on Afghanistan and Iraq. (Video and response after the jump.)

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Democrats Open Advertising Floodgates

$50 Million in Ads Already Booked for House, Senate Races

Posted by Ira Teinowitz on 07.18.08 @ 03:45 PM

WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- John McCain, Barack Obama and their supporters aren't the only ones dumping their cash reserves into ad spending this year. All of those men and women running in congressional races are starting to open their wallets to do their part to drive record political spending this year.

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Dear Arianna and the DNC: Drop the 'Fearmongering'

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.18.08 @ 11:27 AM

As happy as we were to have Arianna Huffington speak at our conference, I keep going back to the video of her talking about what she'd do if she were John McCain and had to beat Barack Obama. Her answer, sadly, was all too obvious. It was based on a stereotype and therefore not good strategy. Republicans are big bad fearmongers. They will scare the voter. They will tell them that Barack Obama is a weak-kneed Muslim with an American-hating wife. If that's what Democrats are actually thinking when they plan counter strategy, they might want to prepare themselves for defeat. Luckily, Barack Obama's a better candidate than that.

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Why Louisiana Won't Swing for Obama

It All Comes Down to College Football

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.18.08 @ 11:09 AM

Just received this from an aunt.

Subject: GEAUX TIGERS

The reason no one from LOUISIANA will vote for OBAMA. . . . If you put a G in front of his name it will be "Go Bama"

And there ain't no way we are gonna do that.

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Video: Arianna Huffington as Karl Rove

What She'd Do as McCain's Strategist

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.18.08 @ 10:46 AM

Arianna Huffington was asked to imagine what she'd do if she were given the task of running John McCain's campaign. How would she beat Barack Obama: Fearmonger.

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Why Should Obama Waste Money on Ads?

He's Got the Press Hounds on His Trail

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.16.08 @ 01:22 PM

According to Howard Kurtz, "The Washington Post has learned that Brian Williams, Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric will travel overseas next week, lured by the prospect of interviews with the presumed Democratic candidate. That means the NBC, ABC and CBS newscasts will originate from stops on the trip and undoubtedly play it up. ... Sources in both television and politics confirmed that the Williams, Gibson and Couric interviews will be parceled out on successive nights in different countries. That means the Obama camp will have drawn the anchors halfway around the world by offering access." Obviously, that's good news for Barack Obama, who can hold on to his cash a little longer. Why buy ads when you can get glowing news coverage for free (and mock TV news all you want, but it's still more trusted than 30-second spots).

But perhaps someone on the business side of the networks will realize that if they weren't spending all those dollars sending big-money anchors to chase Barack Obama halfway around the globe, the candidate with the most money might actually consider buying some national broadcast advertising.

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