The funniest political add ever

[Anonymous]

After reading all of the press about how horrible and embarrassing this was, I expected much much worse. I honestly don't get it.

First, it is not a "real" ad. It is just some stupid youtube video they put up for free to get attention. Seems to have worked. Perhaps it is a web ad, but they are not putting it on the networks for big bucks.

Second, why is it so stupid? The talking part seems fine and the Cain ending seems fine. Cheesy sure, but an attention getting. So is the sole issue the smoking? I honestly thought it looked kind of cool. I dunno, I guess I (honestly) didn't realize that smoking was such a sudden taboo.

[Anonymous]

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The media blitz on how horrible the ad is only plays into this: I read lots of coverage about the ad before seeing it, and I thought that it was going to be a catastrophe. When I watched it, I thought it was cheeky but kind of clever. The take-away message: Cain's a lot more clever than you think and than the media is telling you. Viral, name recognition, made a lot of people smile. A net positive. In 15 years we will look back on this ad as a significant milestone in how political candidates use the internet.

I think you're giving them way too much credit. If Block was just some random weirdo, maybe.

As for there being no such thing as bad advertising, there was a lot of talk about the Gingrich campaign early on, too.

Perhaps. The fact that Cain has gotten this far biases me towards thinking his team is generally making reasonably good decisions. It won't ultimately matter, though, so we'll likely never know for sure. If there was talk about the Gingrich campaign, I missed it. I thought we'd all learned that he was not to be taken seriously as a candidate some years ago. Same with Ron Paul. Some provocative and interesting ideas, but no legs. Bland Romney it is. Probably the worst case for Obama, as he is the least likely to self-immolate.

[Anonymous]

I don't get it. Does it reflect badly on BO's nasty smoking habit? Is that what is getting under liberal skin?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it. Does it reflect badly on BO's nasty smoking habit? Is that what is getting under liberal skin?

I don't think it's getting under liberal skin. A great many liberals mocked it, but that is to be expected. What I've been discussing is the far more interesting conservative reaction.

[TheManWithAUsername]

Anonymous wrote:If there was talk about the Gingrich campaign, I missed it.

I meant all the press about what a mess it was. Here's something great, if you missed it:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/387033/may-19-2011/john-lithgow-performs-gingrich-press-release

[takoma]

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there was talk about the Gingrich campaign, I missed it.

I meant all the press about what a mess it was. Here's something great, if you missed it:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/387033/may-19-2011/john-lithgow-performs-gingrich-press-release

Lithgow for President!

[Anonymous]

It looks like it came straight out of an SNL political special.

[Anonymous]

10:24 again.... Maybe less SNL than a Christopher Guest film. That part when Block says, "I really believe...." It's totally Christopher Guest.