# Obama's infomercial **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 29, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113 "2008-10-29T17:16:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/21 "2008-10-29T18:09:33Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > I don’t know what this means. Are you using American Idol as a generic placeholder for broadcast tv shows? Do you mean they’ll think he’ll co-opt American Idol in the future as POTUS? lol…just a generic placeholder for whatever show someone may want to watch but is co-opted for Obama’s infomercial. Although now you mention it I wouldn’t mind seeing American Idol Co-Opting made a plank in both parties. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/22 "2008-10-29T18:11:12Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The ratings during Obama’s show are irrelevant. > > TV networks show programs to attract an audience, and they sell time to reach that audience to advertisers (their true customers). The bigger the audience, the more money they can charge to show each commercial. But I’m pretty sure there won’t be any commercials during Obama’s time. They can’t sell 30- or 60-second blocks to advertisers because they’ve already sold the whole 30 minutes to Obama. > > But ratings are funny things. Maybe they figure the lingering audience from Obama will improve the ratings of the World Series, the ratings of which are probably of great interest to them. I know there won’t be commercials during the Obama program. I just think that FOX must think it’s going to get something from the deal besides the money the campaign is paying up front. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/23 "2008-10-29T18:16:48Z")
Reminds me of the “fireside chats” of FDR’s administration. I always thought those were good ideas, to empower and keep the people in the loop as much as possible. After all, regardless of whoever sits in that office, WE own it. The public needs more direct communication with the chief executive, and vice versa. I’m hoping it doesn’t just turn into a waste of time with half an hour of meaningless soundbytes. And I’m hoping it goes online fairly soon, because we don’t have a TV and I’d still like to get a chance to see it. Maybe I’ll head to the gym and watch it there. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/24 "2008-10-29T18:22:07Z")
> [@IClaudius](#): > > Such smaller, mainly online-based recurrent dontions have far less possibility of inviting corruption than large, non-recurrent donations where you invite stakeholders to buy off your administration. They are also harder to verify. Obama has already run into trouble with that, having to return, for example, foreign donations. They lead to a different type of corruption, is all. ---
**Author:** ![IClaudius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c37758/32.png) [@IClaudius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IClaudius)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/25 "2008-10-29T18:33:06Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > They are also harder to verify. Obama has already run into trouble with that, having to return, for example, foreign donations. > > They lead to a different type of corruption, is all. I accept the first point, but I don’t see how that leads to a different kind of corruption. First of all, foreign donations are illegal and cannot be accepted, so that is more of a media problem in terms of them having been caught with tainted money, not corruption. But the larger point is that if Obama can’t even identify the source of these donations, how could they be said to influence him in pernicious ways? The whole problem with large, non-recurrent donations is that they’re bigger amounts which are coveted more. They can allow, particularly for campaigns that are dependent on them, a sense of reciprocity to develop which is essentially quid-pro-quo corruption. With small donations, even accepting that they include some people with hidden agendas, they can only have a negligible influence because their ability to tug on the candidate is diluted by a sea of other small donations. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/26 "2008-10-29T18:35:44Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > They are also harder to verify. Obama has already run into trouble with that, having to return, for example, foreign donations. > > They lead to a different type of corruption, is all. Like [this?](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-donorsoct29,0,1269595.story) ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/27 "2008-10-29T18:51:46Z")
> [@IClaudius](#): > > But the larger point is that if Obama can’t even identify the source of these donations, how could they be said to influence him in pernicious ways? It basically provides a venue for money laundering. _ **The scene, a dark room with a table, a single incadescant bulb shines in the ceiling** _ Obama: Damnit! I need more money! $100 million by tomorrow! Soros: But Barry, I’ve given you all I can! Obama: Make…It…Happen… [Stalks from the room] Soros: Alright boys, lets get to work. - \*\*Two hours later, donations start streaming in from the likes of \*_Mickey Mouse,Cletus Hokum, Amanda Hugginkiss, **and several dead people.** _ ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/28 "2008-10-29T18:55:33Z")
Frankly, I’d prefer it if campaigns had more of a chance to do this kind of thing, making their case in an extended format instead of a 30-second ad or a 3 minute debate speech which is 89% talking-point anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/29 "2008-10-29T18:56:06Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I agree I think this is risky. I cannot see how it will help much and has a potential downside. It looks rather presumptuous to me too and I doubt people will be happy when American Idol is co-opted for Obama to speak. My fears exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/30 "2008-10-29T18:57:57Z")
How does American Idol enter the picture? I thought it was the World Series pregame show that got the boot. The AI demographic is probably a pretty good one for Obama in any case. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/31 "2008-10-29T19:05:45Z")
The other side has made a 90 minute anti-Obama infomercial that it is putting in newspapers. "Readers of Ohio’s three largest newspapers, along with papers in Florida and Nevada, are finding an anti-Barack Obama DVD in editions this week. Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group based in Washington, plans to release a 95-minute film in the five swing-state publications to highlight Obama’s record on abortion rights, foreign policy and his past associations, including his relationship with former pastor Rev. Jermiah Wright. The group said it planned to spend more than $1 million to distribute about 1.25 million copies of “Hype: The Obama Effect.” [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/29/politics/main4555615.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/29/politics/main4555615.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/32 "2008-10-29T19:09:23Z")
There’s a summary for the campaign for you: Obama’s campaign makes an ad that targets people watching the World Series in primetime, conservatives put out a DVD where 95 percent of the copies will end up in a landfill. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/33 "2008-10-29T19:11:40Z")
> [@autz](#): > > The other side has made a 90 minute anti-Obama infomercial that it is putting in newspapers. > > [Anti-Obama DVD Released In 5 Newspapers - CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/29/politics/main4555615.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories) Oh crapple, they got prostitue toe-sucker Dick Morris AND Rick “man-on-dog” Santorum?!? Pack it up folks, Obama is finished now. > [@Marley23](#): > > There’s a summary for the campaign for you: Obama’s campaign makes an ad that targets people watching the World Series in primetime, conservatives put out a DVD where 95 percent of the copies will end up in a landfill. Well said. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/34 "2008-10-29T19:11:50Z")
I think the networks should give McCain equal time. In fact I think Obama shouldn’t have to pay to use the airways to get his message across to the nation in one 30 minute shot. I just think that on the whole, it is quite disturbing that one can buy an election. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/35 "2008-10-29T19:14:08Z")
Democrats with money. Democrats. With money! Sorry, still trying to wrap my head around it… ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/36 "2008-10-29T19:19:16Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > i see it as one 30 minute ad, instead of 30 one minute ads. > > i did hear (as mentioned above) that it would be video and live. > > he seems to use technology very well, and seems tech savvy as well. this is very refreshing in a political race. Ditto. And how can we say that McCain couldn’t have done the same? Has he really not spent between $3 and $5 million on TV advertising this whole campaign? If he chose to spend it on local ads rather than on one big, national, 30-minute broadcast, that’s his budgeting decision, not something unfair. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/37 "2008-10-29T19:27:50Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I think the networks should give McCain equal time. In fact I think Obama shouldn’t have to pay to use the airways to get his message across to the nation in one 30 minute shot. I just think that on the whole, it is quite disturbing that one can buy an election. I think this is the biggest problem. Too many people are going to see this as media bias- “Why does only Obama get a show?” They are going to see it as grossly unfair. The fact may be that that money is, and always has been the biggest factor in winning an election, but millions of people wont even see this as a money thing, they will see it as media bias. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/38 "2008-10-29T19:30:39Z")
Seems to me if a Republican bought 30 minutes of primetime for presumably tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, Democrats would be jumping up and down saying “See how this rich spoiled man spends your money instead of helping people in need?” How much good could have been done with that money instead of wasting it buying a solid block of primetime on 3 different networks? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/39 "2008-10-29T19:33:34Z")
Why would we do that? Helping the poor isn’t actually a valid use of campaign funds. They have rules about that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113/40 "2008-10-29T19:36:43Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > How do you feel that one candidate has enough money to literally blanket the airwaves? To me, it seems to be the epitome of the influence of money on politics. Should an election be a race for more money? Is money really a good measure of support? Since Obama’s money was 100% raised by volunteers, vs McCain’s money coming from taxpayers, I have no problem at all with it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113.md?page=3)