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Top Ten Ways Obama Could Seal the Deal In Thirty Minutes Tonight
The thirty minutes of prime time purchased at top dollar by the Obama campaign tonight could be redundant and overpriced, or could be a chance to try to close the deal with undecided voters.
Here's how to do it:
1) The only commander-in-chief style staring at the camera should be the open and close of the show- two minutes off the top and three minutes at the end. Othwerwise we're just watching what we've seen in the debates.
2) That great bio video from the Convention? Use it. Use Michelle's too. They are informative and the stories are compelling. Remember, most people don't sit there and actually watch the Convention, unless they are party folk. Give the undecideds and independents, and soft republicans, a chance to see the stories of the candidate and spouse.
3) Economy, economy, economy
How about a story about people across the country suffering from hard economic times? They're easy to find. I don't mean anecdotes about people met on the campaign trail (Joe the Plumber). I mean a 3 minute piece, narrated by Obama, about 5 people who want a better economy for themselves and their children's futures.
4) Don't talk about McCain
Don't presume to have won (huge mistake to do so) but do avoid attacks. This is about making the case for yourself, presenting your story and vision, not defining the other guy. Why give him the free airtime?
5) How about a 3 minute piece on family life in the Obama home?
So the outside of the house looks fancy, but how about the kitchen table at breakfast? How about the girls room? How about the family playing a board game in the family room? Let us see those cute kids in their home. Let us see the family together. That is not only an interesting story, but tells us more about the Obama family, parents and kids, something everyone can relate to.
6) How about the short video on Joe Biden's bio? Joe has a great story, a beautiful family, and a son serving overseas. Jill Biden is a huge asset. Use her! Not only is it good tv, this helps move past any recent foot-in-mouth comments made.
7) A narrated piece by Obama modeled after Reagan's "Morning in America" theme. Lots of sunny pictures of people of all ages walking in fields, in small towns, smiling, talking. People coming out of church, kids walking to school with backpacks. Our best days are ahead of us. We can rise to the current challenges and renew our hope and optimism. It is the best country on earth, a country blessed with great beauty and goodwill. We are a wonderful country full of caring people. Give voters a chance to feel proud and inspired, not ashamed or wanting.
8) Slip in short real-life soundbites from voters saying why they like Obama. Use them freely throughout the half hour. Make sure you use the ones where people say they made their minds up recently because they are ready for change.
9) Don't overuse the words Hope or Change. Use new words. Sunny words. Feel-good words. Bring us forward, into the horizon. Move the ball further on the field with new, resonant words that sway people who have not been swayed by the words you have already used.
10) Close the deal. Make them trust you. Smile. DO NOT look cocky or like you think you are President. DO NOT make this a presidential address. Make it an invitation to elect you so you can serve citizens of this beautiful country with its best days ahead.
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After watching the Obama 30 min. ad, I would have to say that he pretty well nailed it! He included almost all your good suggestions!
Obama/Biden '08
I hope that you got these ideas over to the campaign before they began planning and taping. They are great. I like the intent behind showing the home life, but agree with other might be a safety issue. There are other ways of conveying this message. I hope to see all 10 of your ideas this evening.
I agree with all the suggestions. Pretty damned good advice.
I'm looking forward to it. The local DNC people are having a watch party. I'm not going, but my daughter might. I'm sure they've had the best people working on this that can be found. This is unique, but so is this entire campaign.
Five Ways that Senator Obama Can Win the Election
1. Vote early so that Election Day lines move more efficiently
2. Lawyers, paralegals, and law students, volunteer as a poll watcher in a battleground state...Flights to Ohio are at $135.00.
3. Walk the Talk...there is still time to make calls and canvas
4. Stop asking What Obama can do, and ask what we have not done
5. Think well of everyone. McCain and Palin are better than the worst things they have done. (from "Life Without")
See you in Ohio!
There are only 3 qeustions on the minds of undecided voters and here are the answers. What in the world would make anyone think that more of the same tax cuts will after 8 years finally motivate CEOs to give you a job instead of sending it overseas where they can make even more money and raise their own salary? The other two can be combined into one. People, we need a filibuster majority in congress to get things done. If we see progress we give them another 4 years. If we don"t, we vote in the other party. This could be the best way for us to force politicians to actually achieve for the people. The economic crisis cannot wait for the long battles of congress to pass rescue plans for the middle class. Every month past by is another $10 billion in Iraq we need here and a further delay of a responsible withdrawal to quickly relieve the strain on our military and begin to strengthen our state of military readiness for any future threat. Any stalemate in congress is another day our forces in Afghanistan do not have the troops they need to go after Al-Qaeda. Without a quick vote for alternative energy investment we delay achieving independence from foreign oil, creating the jobs of the future for us and our children and saving the planet.
I think a bit more family time portrayed is a nice idea, and need not be done in such a way as it compromises the family's safety, or invades the bedrooms of his daughters. But the four Obamas together maybe carving halloween pumpkins would be cool. Show that this is a loving, cohesive family unit.
I definitely agree, he should make a serious pitch, avoid making any assumption of having won and avoiding attacking McCain are all good ideas. Make the case for himself, and appeal to the optimism and "We can do it" attitude about turning this country around again.
Wish I didn't have to work tonight!
I disagree with #5.
He should not allow cameras in his private home showing his girls' bedrooms, the family room or any other room that represents safety and security to the Obama's and their children.
This country's dangerous combo of reality-tv mentality and unhinged psychos should be enough for Obama to demand that certain aspects of his life are off limits.
We need to know his plans and policies for this country. Not the color of their wallpaper or whether they got all the dust bunnies.
I was just thinking the same thing.
"A Cape Cod Times poll shows that 62% of those polled do not like the idea of a candidate buying expensive TV time to tout himself, especially time that interrupts something as serious and engaging as the World Serious"
Seriously??
Some Americans believe that a GAME is more important in that half an hour than the final push to determine who the President of the Free World will be?
And why can't they watch the serious engaging game later?
It's not cutting into the game at all only the pre-game. McCain's camp is pushing the whole idea that Obama is so full of himself to push back the World Series.
Hope he takes your advice. These are all winning ideas, not enough has been done on Obama's bio and family life for general consumption. His convention speech never had a chance to reverberate with the announcement of Palin the next day. We'll say, but excellent analysis!
I don't quite understand the point of an advice style blog considering the fact that the special was probably finished weeks ago. Perhaps this might have been better timed while they were still in the edit bay. Kind of a head scratcher.
I agree. This has been finished for awhile. It's not like they are filming and editing today.
Maybe good advice. I don't know. Obama may be overplaying his hand to the detriment of his campaign. It's a dangerous move since indications are that the race is tightening. A Cape Cod Times poll shows that 62% of those polled do not like the idea of a candidate buying expensive TV time to tout himself, especially time that interrupts something as serious and engaging as the World Serious. What can the man add to all he has already presented over and over again in countless speeches at countless rallies some of which were given widespread broadcast and press coverage? Does he have something new to offer?
His final pitch. Letting the American people know that he is not the Boogie Man, like he is being protrayed by the other side. If McCain wants equal time he can book himself for an interview. So can Palin. I am sure that there are several journalists out there that will take them up on the offer. Or you can videotape a half hour long movie and put it on youtube. There are always ways to get your message out. But first you have to have a message.
The cape cod times? Dear God - take that show off the air now!
It's been reported that he is not cutting into the start of the World Series just the pre-game show. Big deal! I'm sure Cape Cod speaks for all of America.
Well done. I'm hoping for a quiet, intelligent, warm, and positive approach, showing that all of my apprehensive Louisiana friends could be very comfortable with this man.
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