Campaign AdWatch: Shaken, But Not Stirred

Well, let's start with the good. From a style standpoint, this latest ad from John McCain is a quantum leap ahead of his more recent ads. And I know that many people are going to mock the effort, saying that he's making the sort of cultural references - Connery-era James Bond and bright, jazzy graphics from yesteryear - that you'd expect from an old man who's forgotten where he's put his bearings. But the ad is retro in a very chic and clever way. And,
I'll remind you, Ian Fleming is something that's actually older than John McCain.

But, on substance, this ad is just terrible. And again, it's pretty clueless tactically. The ad, which presents Obama as the "Dr. No" of energy policy, captures Obama saying, "Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today," which is actually true, and what's more, McCain knows it, and has even said so as recently as, uhm...two days ago. The ad also repeats Obama's opposition to a "gas tax holiday," an issue that Obama has continually won on throughout the year. Now, there are plenty of people - even Obama supporters - that will probably disagree with Obama on his opposition to nuclear power. If only the actual Dr, No had! James Bond could have skipped ahead to From Russia With Love!

And, finally, I have to say, I never thought the day would come where I'd see a politician accused of being the reason we don't all have electric cars. I watched that ad where McCain took a trip to the year 2013 and he never said anything about electric cars! In the year 2013, I expect to be commuting by water-powered jetpack, myself!

Anyway, look for future ads from McCain, accusing Obama of opposing "thunderballs" and "moonrakers."

Comments

[AlexVonHussein]

That Ad has Jazz in the back ground, its black and whitish, which is Obamas race and its Bond ideas Rove has been talking about, The Arrogant Bond at the Country club with a martini and Hot Date with his back on the wall. They are going to the 60s, the cool black guys then who sang Jazz and had Opinion...

There is no better way to talk to the midwestern than to play jazzy tune and a black guy

[scorpioleidy]

I don't get it ...

[LeaveArtieAlone]

Wow is it 1962 again?

[newgeneration]

Poor MacCain ,, this add is going to help Obama ,,

[shel3364]

"And, I'll remind you, Ian Fleming is something that's actually older than John McCain."

Ian Fleming is dead. He died 44 years ago.


Find me something alive that's older than McCain.... except his mother....

[MissDaphne]

some redwood trees.

[Mike4Obama]

Did I mention the add at jpost.com has red buttons on a black background. Red has a tendency to increase heartbeat and breathing. Black can often be associated with Villains and make one be perceived as evil.

Its pretty obvious the reaction they intend with adds such as these.

If you remember, the great green background at the monstrosity of a speech McCain gave down in LA on the night Obama declared he had enough delegates most likely had a meaning too. The second I saw that green background I began to think as to why they would choose it. First thing that came to mind was McCains whole going green thing. But his speech wasn't really focused on going green so I thew that out. I asked my wife that has some marketing experience, and she stated green is often considered to be a subconscious calming color.

Well, one of the perceived problems of McCains at the beginning of this campaign people were attempting to exploit although I haven't seen much of it lately, was the perception of McCain having a temper. I believe the campaign originally believed this to be a serious liability. This speech, along with his quiet, mild mannerisms, are all meant to squelch this idea so nobody has anything to talk about on the news. They've been quite successful as of late.

Anyways, take it for what its worth...I'm just some computer guy.

[Mike4Obama]

The fear mongering adds are already out there in the form of Internet adds. I try to get the full spectrum of U.S. reaction to certain events.

On www.jpost.com, a prominent Jewish web site, I see two McCain adds run non stop. The first add has Obama's face and Ahmadinejad face and written on it, "Is it OK to Unconditionally Meet with Anti-American Foreign Leaders" And a Yes/No Choice. Add Paid for by John McCain 2008. The second being an add with him and Lieberman written on it, "Support a Leader we can Believe in"

Obviously both adds targeted at the Jewish community. Although today, I'm not seeing the add with Obama and Ahmadinejad.

I haven't seen any pro Obama adds there yet. I'm not quite sure what to make of that yet. Either the web site is being selective with the add they choose from the agency they work with. Or possibly a specific McCain add agency has been created and chosen for the site.

I assume Obama campaign is aware of the adds being targeted at specific groups in the U.S. on the Internet. Lets see how he counters this campaign style McCain has chosen. My guess is he addresses it quickly, and moves right back to his message as he's done in the past.

McCain's strategy seems to be run on, what he perceives to be, Obama's lack of an appealing position, and rather not his own.

[fedupsquared]

test

[fedupsquared]

Who's "Dr. No" and what is his/her relationship with or to James Bond? I don't get it.

[poppyseed]

These guys are idiots. I know they like James Bond and all but really, Bond was tall and fit and in his 30s-40s and cool and sophisticated . Women swooned. The guy who is Bond is Obama, not McCain. McCain is Odd Job.

If you're going to set up a simile, at least make one that's remotely believeable.

[Ides]

Reminds me of Team Fortress. (NERD)

BONK!

[tel8034]

McCain knows that he is more linked to the movie "Cocoon" and not to the movie "From Russia With Love"

McCain is NO James Bond............... He needs to stop embarrassing himself.

[coloradosiren]

So what McCain is GB's mini-me.

[Liberoservative]

ROFLMAO!!

McCain't just spent his hard earned money on a PLUS ad for Obama!

I'm just loving it... .:)

Ermm...
My friends...­..........­..........­.......

[Liberoservative]

Oh wait?
Is this a serious ad or something from The Onion?

"Help help! My "up" is "down" and "inside" is "out" now......"
Somebody just point me to that little box that says Obama!

[4wehttam]

I know, right? How out of touch his entire camp must be if they think this ad will work FOR McBush and AGAINST Barack..

[Sixtwo]

I can't believe this ad!!!! First of all, if I was an uncommitted voter this ad would help me to make a decision to vote for Obama! Every issue Obama has said "no" to have been analyze by the experts, and they pretty much support Obama's position. In any event, they were more for the position than against it.