First, please watch this video
Barak Obama A few people have sent me the above link to this video telling me I should vote for Barak Obama. Due to a lack of options, I was misinformed into thinking that he is going to be the best option for the upcoming election, but after watching this video I have begun to reconsider.
When teaching my 9th and 10th grade students what propaganda was, I had to resort to Nazi publications that were anti-semitic and US military publications demonizing the Japanese. I never thought that many of my smart friends would fall for some of the best modern day propaganda I have ever seen. Granted, I don't think that Barak made this video, but it is posted on his website, which is good enough him to walk up to me and say "I am Barak Obama and I approve of this message."
The video is very subtle and smart. First, it paints the colors to be black and white which reminds me of some other famous black and white footage, while implicitly calling us to the black candidate. Next, they have the music overlay which is catchy and almost inspires you without even knowing what the content of the video is (Marshall McLuhan anyone?). In fact, the only things I remember from the video are "Yes we can" (Moulin Rouge anyone?) and something about justice and equality. Finally, we keep hearing inspiring, yet meaningless sound clips by Barak which should inspire us to vote for him?
The entire video is a shout out to JFK and MLK, with whom Barak would love to be equated. Unfortunately, as a senator in Illinois and a Harvard Law student, I don't think he can quite call himself a modern day JFK or MLK. However, it is very misleading to endorse this video and scary at the same time becasue it is powerful in a vacuous sort of way. He even says something about "we shouldn't offer this country false hope." Of course this video is morally compelling without saying anything, thus offering false hope. He says the these three words can "ring" from coast to coast--- "Yes We Can!".... Does that sound familiar? "Let freedom ring"
I am more disgusted at the audience among whom this video is going to be circulated. I have seen that the young people of the country dig Obama, and; that is cool. However, I don't think many of them could articulate one difference between his universal health plan and Hillary's. How is Obama's plan for Iraq different than Hillary's or can either of them really do anything to stimulate the economy? Does Obama know anything about foreign policy besides being raised by a Muslim dad? If Obama gets the nomination, and I don't think he will, it will be becasue of enough 20-30 somethings who vote for the cool candidate who puts out inspirational change videos not becasue he is the best candidate, though he may in fact be the best.
I spent a good amount of time the other day trying to see the difference between his and Hillary's health plans and had a hard time finding many areas of divergence. I guess I have also been swept up in the euphoria of change and the prospect of a non-Bush or Clinton in the White House. This led me to vote for Obama in the senseless FL primaries. However, come November this propaganda piece might just deter me from voting Obama becasue I don't like people who lie through media. I don't trust em!
McCain/Giuliani 08!
Comments (8)
That's just the thing Peter. The Dems plans are hardly any different. Hilary and Obama's differences lie in personality and baggage. Hilary's got lots, and as a younger candidate Obama looks squeaky clean. All these candidates are uninspiring. But by equating himself with MLK through subliminal messages Obama is appealing to the nation that voting for him is almost the just thing to do, and its is quite noticeable how the video says nothing about his real plans for the nation. Ignore my views and see my symbolism that's the goal.
This race's dynamic just got really interesting. With McCain now almost certain to be the Republican nominee each of the three candidates honestly can take the "independent vote". In most cases, independent voters clearly lean one way depending on the year and the issues at stake. Obama's term is uniter not divider." a well coined phrase. The only candidate of the three who truly works both sides of the aisle in practice is McCain.
Hilary Clinton must apeal to those who loved the her husband's years in office. She must show herself to be a strong woman, and she must continually harp on "experience" and "knowing what she is getting into".
Obama's got to continue to paint himself like he's a new voice. He has to make his message for America sound radical, as if all the sudden with him in office the power automatically shifts to the grassroots little people. If any promise is doomed from the start it is that message. He must continue to quote JFK, MLK, Ronald Reagan and Jesus so that his uniter not divider message sounds more plausible. He's the guy who's going to make Washington like new.
John McCain has an interesting position. He's really only got to look energetic and youthful, to erase doubts about age. I don't really know where his base comes from. True social conservatives can't stand him, economic conservatives can't stand him. He spends lots of time badmouthing "religious conservatives. But this he knows. Of the candidates left, those rightest conservatives either must pick him or nobody. He is able to be what he has been for many years, which I think is a thorn in the side of both parties. Perhaps we have a true independent candidate who might win an election.
Peter, I respect your opinions and agree that the video isn't very deep in regards to the issues. However, I don't completely agree with your approach.
Obviously, MLK is unique and irreplaceable in regards to his work to bring civil rights to our country. Barack is not MLK and will never be MLK. However, the battlefield now is not as much in the realm of lynchings and segregated school-buses as much as it is in the structural racism in our society that keep the poor poor and the rich rich. Barack, no doubt, is a leader and would be a leader who would be able to help fight the battle against modern-day structural racism (which, in my mind is extremely important and significant...possibly even comparable to MLK's achievements).
Additionally, I don't expect every video a candidate produces to lay out a 100-point plan to change the US. Obama discusses the issues on another portion of his website. It's great that you took the time to check out the issues and compare Hillary with Obama. That's the responsible thing to do. At least the video compelled you to research the issues. Perhaps it will do the same for others.
However, much like corporations use catchy mantras to give their employees and customers a glimpse of their priorities, I consider Obama's power-to-the-people campaign slogans meaningful and representative of his priorities. Having a black man or a woman in office would be a HUGE change, in fact, a monumental change that would forever impact the history of our country. Not to mention the counter-Washington approach he has taken to campaign contributions (one that even Hillary has adopted in response to Obama).
Further on the his slogan of change -- if you've been watching the debates, the "change" Obama speaks of refers to the last 7 years of wasteful spending by the Bush administration, the 40 million people in our country who lack health care, and so on.
Shame on the people who vote for Obama merely because of his inspirational speeches and videos. Shame on the people who vote for Clinton or any other candidate merely because of their speeches and videos (they all use propaganda to some degree). At the same time, I think it's bogus to not vote for candidates merely because of their propaganda videos. The truth is that all candidates use propaganda to some degree. Responsible voters need to consider the issues and vote for a leader they feel they can follow.
Barack is proving his ability to unify a divided nation across race, gender, age, class and party lines (as shown by Super Tuesday's results). That's a change even Hillary hasn't accomplished. He's intelligent, solid on the issues, and I believe has the ability to lead our country in a more favorable direction than Hillary or McCain.
I would tend to agree that all political candidates use propaganda. Obama, amoug the three candidates is safest from the dirt for a variety of reasons. Your background shapes you, and I see the decision making process in this election being a lot more about symbolism than issues, and that's something Obama is capturing in his video.
i think it's a given (even tho i don't like it) that candidates run on personality and catchphrases much more than on platforms and plans. obama does it, but so does everyone else. the others just don't have the support of one of the black eyed peas, and haven't been able to make such an emotionally powerful and catchy one. i have no doubt that mccain would make a music video like that in a heartbeat if he knew someone who wanted to make it for him AND he didn't think it would ostracize some of the older, conservative, white voters that make up his base.
so even if that obama video does make your stomach turn, i don't think it's fair to respond as if he's the only one who appeals to people's gut. i think it's a larger problem with the whole way we do things around here.
but truthfully, i am as much to blame as anyone. you say it rightly when you ask whether people know the differences between him and hillary...because, on a deeper level, i really don't. other than her longer time in politics (which i guess can be viewed as a good and a bad thing), and what i've seen in a few speeches, i really don't know much about them. i need to remedy that. thanks for the kick in the butt to do so.
great post.
Peter,
I definitely agree with you on a certain level. I saw the video, enjoyed it, and thought it reeked of propaganda. At the same time, there is always an appeal to the emotions on some level, even in the speeches and debates, Obama just happens to have a well-known fan who made a quality music video of it (Will-I-Am).
It's a tough call, and I completely hear where your coming from. Bethany has a good point on this too.
By the way, it's Barack not Barak
So you're not voting for Barack? Is that the vibe I'm getting ;)
I am voting for John McCain...he is the best overall candidate. Forget about political parties, he is a person that can go between the lines and work with all parties and people. For people that say he is George Bush 3rd...that just not accurate. McCain is his Own Person. Barack Obama will keep saying this is George Bush's 3rd term, I mean just STOP it already. Its just not fair...Politics.
I trust McCain more than any of the choices. He is qualified, someone who believes in this country, supports it, and will do anything for it.
Obama has not done anything in his career or life to say he is ready to be president of the United States.. McCain has a life of accomplishments and he is the best person to lead this country for the next 4 years!