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The Self-defeating Obama VP Text Stunt
At some point or another, every political campaign digs itself a hole, trips over its own feet and falls face-first into it.
In hyping its
‘learn who the VP is via text message’ stunt, the Obama camp has done just
that.
“No other campaign has done this before. You can be part of this important moment,” campaign manager David Plouffe breathlessly intones on the Obama for President site. Yes, and no other campaign has announced by semiphore either.
And even if the delivery method is not his point, even if he is touting a “you are there” sort of reality TV vibe, turning the VP selection process into an “American Idol” moment is not what you want to do when the press and opposition are accusing you of being all flash and no substance.
Fine, send a
text message. However, by
overhyping the fact that you’re doing so, you mistakenly associate the campaign
with a methodology that, in many average, middle-aged and older minds conjures
visions of disposable teenage gossip and participatory TV voyeur-fests. The logo imagery asking, “Who Will be
Barack’s VP. Be the First to
Know,” sounds distressingly like a “21” TV promo or a political subplot teaser
on a daytime soap.
By turning what should be a tactical afterthought into a mainstage event, the Obama campaign is playing to its own weaknesses. Image is everything, and the whole point of McCain’s “celebrity” angle is to rob Obama of his presidential-seeming dignity.
Touting the VP
selection with stunt casting trappings does their work for them.
Comments (13)
It's not a 'stunt'. Obama is going to get the cellphone numbers for of millions of potential volunteers and donors. The more they hype it, the more people will sign up.
Don't tell me you're too dense to realize this.
August 11, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can also get it though email, so just about everyone in America can sign up for them, not just teenagers.
August 11, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
And it's not like he's not going to have an official roll out either.
Imagine being able to text millions of supporters, or being able to localize the text to those within an area where volunteers are needed for GOTV, or canvassing.
Admittedly I've never texted anybody in my life, but a whole lot of people live on those things now. It's just another tool to connect with supporters.
August 11, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm guessing that you are one of not more than five people in the USA who has had such thoughts. Probably the only one.
August 11, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't characterize this as a "stunt." Promotion? Absolutely. As mentioned above, what a great way to capture and verify the cell phone numbers and email addresses of hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of supporters. And from the administrative point of view, there is little, if any, manpower needed to capture those "leads."
From a more nostalgic point of view, there is something special in being part of a group where you get inside information. When I read that email from David Plouffe last night, I had a brief flash of the scene in "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie eagerly awaits the end of the radio serial for the secret message. Secret decoder ring in hand, he carefully copies down the message to decode it. The message: "Drink More Ovaltine."
We all already know the answer which will come embedded in the email or text message: ________ is my VP choice. The excitement is the feeling that you got the answer before the other poor sods who didn't sign up for the text or email.
Enjoy the moment, enjoy the faux suspense. Get out your secret decoder rings and see if you can determine who the lucky winner will be.
August 11, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, cellphones are scary and only them kids with their gizmos and gadgetry care about receiving information in a quick and convenient format. Hell, I still have to have the babysitter set up the microwave after every blackout -- don't get me started on reprogramming the VCR! (DVDs? No thank you!) I mean, lol, remember Dean and his little 'internet campaign' of '04? He should've stuck to traditional mailers 'cause utilizing technology at that level has proven a worthless endeavor!
August 11, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well let's see I'm 60 and I signed up. Glad somebody still considers me a teenager :) Ok I'm off to the malt shop.
August 11, 2008 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain wants to paint Obama as a celebrity? I say, let him. Who would you rather have in office: Bush or any given movie star?
Neither is the perfect choice, obviously, but one is more likely to kill a bunch of innocent people than the other.
August 11, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd rather have some slime mold than Duba. At least it would have a higher IQ
August 11, 2008 9:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's a clever, subtle way to bypass MSM spin. Why let Nancy Grace tell people who you've chosen for veep?
August 11, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly! It's a brilliant message that reinforces the grassroots philosophy of his campaign. Of course, the MSM will sniff at it. Screw 'em.
August 12, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Stick it to the MSM. Letting supporters know and exploiting current technology should be applauded, not sneered at.
I think this post is mostly just sneering for sneerings sake.
Obama's savvy with social networking is one of the keys to his success. Why stop now?
August 11, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just another reason to MARVEL at his campaign...They think outside the box (sheer brilliance!) and used a multi-pronged offense that has more prongs than any I've ever seen, and I'm 56...I signed up, too!
Keepin' the excitement going in a VERY long season...gotta love 'em! Can't wait to see what they come up w/ next!
August 11, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
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