OK, So Maybe It's a Smart Strategy
In case you missed it, here's the edited version of Senator Barack Obama's appearance on Saturday Night Live this weekend.
If you want to see the full version of the skit, it's here.
Obama has been doing these little appearances since before he announced as a candidate. He opened Monday Night Football in a very humorous way not long ago.
To me, Presidential politics represents both the pinnacle and the very darkest depths of advertising. Extensive market research. Fingers in the wind. The battle for the hearts and minds of Americans. Spin, lies, half-truths. Image. It's fascinating theater, and the intersection of politics and entertainment is blurrier than ever these days.
I gave Obama some crap last week for dancing with Ellen, but I'm starting to see the wisdom of his handlers in letting him do these self-effacing things. His goal right now is to beat Hillary. And when Lorne Michaels and his writers are developing scathing skits about her and asking you to join in the fun, it's probably a smart move to accept the invitation.
Once again, to disclaim: I'm a registered voter, but I am independent. Which is twice as fun, because come general election time, that makes me the target market for these image makers and media gurus who tell their candidates what to say and do.
If you want to see the full version of the skit, it's here.
Obama has been doing these little appearances since before he announced as a candidate. He opened Monday Night Football in a very humorous way not long ago.
To me, Presidential politics represents both the pinnacle and the very darkest depths of advertising. Extensive market research. Fingers in the wind. The battle for the hearts and minds of Americans. Spin, lies, half-truths. Image. It's fascinating theater, and the intersection of politics and entertainment is blurrier than ever these days.
I gave Obama some crap last week for dancing with Ellen, but I'm starting to see the wisdom of his handlers in letting him do these self-effacing things. His goal right now is to beat Hillary. And when Lorne Michaels and his writers are developing scathing skits about her and asking you to join in the fun, it's probably a smart move to accept the invitation.
Once again, to disclaim: I'm a registered voter, but I am independent. Which is twice as fun, because come general election time, that makes me the target market for these image makers and media gurus who tell their candidates what to say and do.
Labels: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, presidential politics, saturday night live, SNL
Sent into orbit at
8:35 PM
1 Comments:
Yeah, pop cultured politics is a fascinating/horrifying arena all right. I'm almost a little uncomfortable with SNL writers providing material for one candidate and mocking another -- but then, media does determine who's a serious political candidate as Colbert learned in South Carolina. Did Hillary pull out a saxophone in
that skit, I wonder.
By
Anonymous, at November 5, 2007 at 7:43 AM
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