VOICEOVER [which I believe is that of Joe Scarborough]: A revolution that happens for us every four years is a quiet revolution that begins and ends at the ballot box. It's the American voter that goes in, and makes a very simple choice that can change the country and change the world.As screen graphic rolls: "That's why You Care, That's Why We Cover It," cut to images of MSNBC personalities: Scarborough, Lester Holt, Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, Andrea Mitchell, Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams, Keith Olbermann, Tucker Carlson, Norah O'Donnell, David Gregory, Ron Allen, Kelly O'Donnell.
VOICEOVER [different, professional voice]: MSNBC--the place for politics.Here were the voters whose images were shown:
- Chubby guy in a T-shirt and shades wearing some kind of strange hat [horns?] holding a US flag over his head, amidst a sea of other flags.
- Younger black woman holding a "Vote Here" placard.
- White woman, looking to be in her 70s.
- Younger black man, perhaps late 20s. The focus is on him, but after viewing the spot a couple more times I noticed there was an older white male, perhaps in his 70s, out of focus, in the foreground.
- A young father with a Latino look, sporting a beard, holding a young girl, presumably his daughter, on his shoulders.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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I wouldn't say it's an
June 2, 2008 - 07:32 ET by motherbeltI wouldn't say it's an Obama ad, because I think the emphasis is on the fact that our changes of government come at the ballot box, on schedule; not by a rival faction overthrowing the current one.
On the other hand, the selection of voters left me wondering. They left out white men in business suits. Now was that because they see them as a Republican demographic?
Or was it a "political correctness" thing? It looks like, in the usual manner, they were trying to have every "demographic" represented: women, elderly, Hispanics, blacks, (and that process usually does leave out white men). Also, I think they wanted it to depict sort of everyday, nothing-special-about-them people...you know, "working Americans" in their jargon. White-collar white men don't fit into that category for them.
I'm just surprised there wasn't somone holding a rainbow flag to represent the gay demographic!
I agree with your analysis
June 2, 2008 - 07:37 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI agree with your analysis with one exception: what is the one word associated with one candidate this political year? "Change" and Obama. Surely it's no coincidence that MSNBC worked "change" into its promo twice in 30 seconds.
Yeah, that could be a
June 2, 2008 - 07:43 ET by motherbeltYeah, that could be a subtle hint....LOL
Ok, but what word do you associate with McCain?
June 2, 2008 - 07:49 ET by sarcasmoI'll spare everyone my answer, since I happen to live in the FL county where his campaign co-chairman experienced an incident in one of our very sexy public mens rooms just as his campaign was thought by many to be dead from (surprise!) overspending...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Sarc - one word for McCain? Media's = Maverick Mine is
June 2, 2008 - 10:21 ET by Dee BunkDemocrat. I'm clueless about the mens room thing. Can you clue me in?
Ok, but I'm not the best one to do it...
June 2, 2008 - 10:42 ET by sarcasmoI defer to John Oliver of the Daily Show.
The bottom line is that even though Larry Craig's incident was reported first & got more press, Florida politicians actually pioneered this form of weirdness. My crappy joke about it at the time, since the offer was for a measly $20, was that this had to be the McCain campaign's first & only fiscally responsible act in Florida, as they were running out of money. Wonkette also has more-extensive but less hilarious coverage. :)
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Thanks for the explanation sarc
June 2, 2008 - 23:48 ET by Dee BunkI hadn't heard about that. Very funny.
MSNBC Promos = DNC Campaign Ads
June 2, 2008 - 07:39 ET by SupermanMSNBC must think they are really slick if they think nobody is going to view these promos as nothing more than DNC campaign ads. These silly promos are all the same: 'America sucks. We need change'. We need change alright. We need to change the channel to something other than MSNBC.
I agree with you Superman - It's an Obama ad all the way
June 2, 2008 - 08:08 ET by Dee BunkIt's not even subtle. Like Mark said the whole "Change" thing is the Dem message started by Obama
They are obvious advocates and I'm completely done with NBC and their affiliates. They are worse than CBS now.
ABC is the only network that isn't over the top in the tank. They are still very liberal biased but they have some professionalism left.
Where's Mika?
June 2, 2008 - 07:39 ET by BlondeDo you think she got the message that she's NOT one of MSNBC's "political heavyweights".
He he he he he he he he he he. (That's my Mika immitation).
<edit> It sounded like Joe's voice in the main part of the vid to me too, Mark. Shame on Joe.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
"MSNBC - The Place For
June 2, 2008 - 08:00 ET by SickofLibs"MSNBC - The Place For Obama"
Get Used to IT!
June 2, 2008 - 08:21 ET by ChasvsJust sit back and let the Rape of 2008 take place!
God is coming in the form of a half-wit named Obama!
We are SO SCREWED!
STHU
June 2, 2008 - 08:27 ET by BacchusMethinks NBC has beclowned itself.
SHUT THE HELL UP!
Obama Ad?
June 2, 2008 - 08:31 ET by Redrowan2000Have another cup of coffee and pull this piece. I think your stretching this by let's say s a shuttle to Mars?
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
So you believe it's pure
June 2, 2008 - 08:43 ET by Mark FinkelsteinSo you believe it's pure coincidence that MSNBC worked "change" into the promo twice in 30 seconds and showed images of voters heavily weighted toward the Dem demographic?
BOTH...
June 2, 2008 - 19:35 ET by danybhoyMark,
To answer the question in your headline, MSNBC promo or Obama ad, 1 word...YES.
I think the word "change" is big for MSNBC, since when most people realize they are watching MSNBC, they CHANGE the channel.
"...it's still We The People, Right?" Megadeth
still bitter
June 2, 2008 - 13:12 ET by TjexciteWith the dems still bitter of 2000 there is no way the media will let McCain win. If the results come in that McCain wins. The media will only look for discrepancy to make Obama the next president at any cost even if they have to do the same as 2000 (scotus). And then the with the Hillary supporters now being bitter of the DNC rules it could be "Recount part Duex" but only if the new state media under chairman Obama will allow
How long will Obama get to do all the change he calling for; 100 days, 2 years, first term, or will he be given a pass for all 8 years when nothing is changed.