On the subject of Obama, Gail Collins today astutely diagnoses the chief problem confronting his campaign. Even if people welcome your vision of a Presidency soaring above partisanship, "it’s tough to play the wise elder statesman when you’re just three years out of the Illinois State Senate." This criticism accords NYT television critic Alessandra Stanley's observation that Obama in the debates often comes across as if moderating for PBS rather than participating as a candidate.
In the recent MSNBC debate Obama spoke somewhat more forcefully, but he still seems to be committing the mistake of adopting a front-runner's above the fray attitude despite trailing in the polls. This weakness probably reflects Obama's light experience in genuinely competitive campaigns (in 2004 he trounced Alan Keyes' with 70 percent of the vote). Perhaps campaign strategist David Axelrod had hoped that a Hillary-Edwards slugfest would allow Obama to rise without attacking Hillary directly, but beyond the mid-summer clash of who would be a better advocate for women, Edwards generally hasn't succeeded in provoking Hillary into conflict. I still await more examples of Obama's promised newly aggressive campaign strategy, and am especially eager to see if he can distinguish his foreign policy views from those of Sentaro Clinton (a cause Matt Yglesias has been pushing for some months).
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Gmail Ads
If I were a political candidate (or anyone with a serious message), I would be wary of advertising through Gmail. The prospect of being able to target select people through keyword matches is surely appealing; unfortunately, any given email seems to call up a wide variety of solicitations.
Thus, today I noticed an "Obama for President" ad sandwiched between advertisements for "Bachelorette Spa Party" and "Retro Wedding Invitations." Evidently Gmail has some peculiar ideas about the kind of people who receive Evite invitations to 23rd birthday parties.
Being in the same column as "New Jersey's party center" is pretty bad; I think the Senator would be better served if his campaign link appeared above this ad, which appeared to me alongside a friend's invitation to attend a Wu-Tang concert.
Most Wanted Grillz.
Bling Yo Mouth.
Try Our Top, Bottom And Combo Sets.
www.BallersIce.com
Thus, today I noticed an "Obama for President" ad sandwiched between advertisements for "Bachelorette Spa Party" and "Retro Wedding Invitations." Evidently Gmail has some peculiar ideas about the kind of people who receive Evite invitations to 23rd birthday parties.
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Being in the same column as "New Jersey's party center" is pretty bad; I think the Senator would be better served if his campaign link appeared above this ad, which appeared to me alongside a friend's invitation to attend a Wu-Tang concert.
Most Wanted Grillz.
Bling Yo Mouth.
Try Our Top, Bottom And Combo Sets.
www.BallersIce.com
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