Cigarette, anyone????

I was watching the Letterman Show the other night with my dad, and Letterman brought to Herman Cain’s most recently advertisement. I may have never been more dumbfounded in my life. For those who have not seen it, it features Mark Block – Cain’s chief of staff- stars in the leading role. He discusses the campaign himself, and offers that Cain’s promises will bring a unity to the country and other wonderful things. The best piece of action is by the last 10 seconds of the 1 minute clip, Mark Block takes a drag from his cigarette, while looking directly at the camera. That image then transitions to Herman Cain smiling. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5lfsENdYzU

As expected, people have gone crazy over the image of Block smoking on screen in such a big advertisement. It may just be part of the ideological trend Americans are on right now. What I mean is this- 40 years ago, majority of people smoked cigarettes and cigars on screen. Now today, with new information on the effects and image of smoking, very little is seen of it. It is almost kept as a personal secret. However, thousands have lashed out at the Cain campaign and criticized their strategy. I found a clip of Cain defending the ad, saying that they believe in “let Block be Block”, and capture the image of the true person that they are. He admits they didn’t expect such attention from the 1 minute advertisement.  Check his response out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_L9CiWsxoo&feature=related

The image of Block smoking in the end of the video has done no good for the campaign. If anything, it’s hurt it and brought to light just how little his team considers before advertizing Herman Cain. What’s funny is, I’ve already forgotten what Block said in the beginning of the commercial. All I remember is his cigarette. No, it doesn’t mean that they endorse smoking. But by presenting it in such a fashion, it gives the impression that the campaign does.

When it comes to ads, you don’t want your ad to cause someone’s mind to wander against what you are selling. For example, everything in the commercial needs to reflect what you are selling. Let’s face it; a “SLAPCHOP” is really exciting! And so is their spokesman. It’s a clear image of what you are selling and makes me believe that it is an exciting product. The Cain ad has caused people’s minds to wander about why that image is so inconsistent with anything Cain represents.

The first thing that came to my mind was that a tobacco company has given the campaign money and they need to represent their brand. My second impression was that they’re all incredibly inexperienced commercial managers.

Having an ad that starts with a testimonial on Cain’s strengths, and ending with cigarette smoking is like mixing Apples and Oranges.... and that just doesn’t work.

Bachmann's Borders

I’ve been looking up a lot of information on Bachmann right now, specifically on her views on Immigration. It’s funny that we consider Immigration an issue, despite our nation’s history with immigration. Let’s face it, majority of our families cannot be traced back prior to the 1800s. And if yours can, then that’s awesome! My family came from Puglia, Italy. I also had some family come from Austria.

But historically speaking, our country grew out of immigrants. For New York specifically, New York City comprised of Dutch, German, Irish, English, and African American in the early 1700s! Only until recently in the last couple decades has Immigration been a serious problem in the American eye.

Though we’ve progressed and found dignified ways to discuss the issue, the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions “immigration” is building a fence. How primal. In fact, Michele Bachmann has outspokenly committed to building a fence along the entire southern border of the country. In doing so, she believes this will prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country from Mexico via land. The sense is this action would be done on a national level, or making it a nation action of sovereignty and control. However, she also begs for the government to support State’s action in the fight against illegal immigration, to such degrees as Arizona’s state immigration enforcement.

But yes she knows that stopping illegal immigration takes more than a fence. She has taken a stance on denying benefits that attract aliens to America in the first place. In a GOP debate, she mentions student discounts and commercial job opportunities as a main attraction, or magnetism, is a main drive for people to come to this country illegally. As far as pathway to citizenship, she opposes the process of granting citizenship to those who’ve worked and lived in here illegally and rewarding them with citizenship.

What boggles my mind over the whole question of immigration is that they AUTOMATICALLY think of Mexico as the problem. Though there are more illegal people coming from there, don’t you think it’s unfair to put up a border on ONE land border, and not the other one? I think there’s something really messed up about that. Think of our northern border, is there a problem up there with illegal immigration? There are roughly 70,000 illegal Canadian immigrants here, working jobs and not paying taxes. Am I sickened to say think that no one thinks of this as part of the problem because Canadian immigrants white? ….

That statement may seem horrible to assume or even publish here, but I find it to be an interesting topic of discussion. What if millions of people were coming from Canada? What if Canada was transporting illegal drugs through their border too? Would we build a wall up there? Would Bachmann grant them citizenship? I’m not entirely sure myself.

Media Network Bias

VERY good clip about the media and bias opinions in major networks in terms of the national coverage of presidential elections. He states that there are very little conclusions made on news converage simply because each network upholds their own ideological opinion. Check it out!

Local Media vs. National Media

Robert Woodward of Drake University discusses how the media impacts Iowa on caucus night in 1988. He shares that the LOCAL press actually has a lot of outreach in this part of the race over national news. He also shares that the press impact will only increase, globally, as the candidates move onto New Hampshire shortly after.

The Press on Primary Cities

This is a quick clip about the media and how they portray the locations in which they cover stories. This is from the 1984 election. There is mention on how the Republicans have a better grip on manipulating the television press, and how the stereotype of primary cities and how it helps the press identify with the events that are actually happening.

I'm Mad as Hell!

It’s amazing how the Oct 18 Republican debate features some of America’s best CHILDREN. Yes, I said it. I’m incredibly sick of the sparring match between politicians that has become almost as popular as “The Jersey Shore” reality TV that ALSO features some of America’s best CHILDREN. Rick Perry, you are a child. Mitt Romney, you are a child. Perhaps my anger (which is revealed through my caps lock method of typing) is coming from my recent lack of sleep and constant state of delirium, but maybe I’m actually definitively right on this one. Our politicians are children.

I say children because of how children operate- pointing fingers, no attention span, blaming the other person just to win, and begging for attention. I think Perry and Romney have the “Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!” syndrome. And for what purpose? Support? It’s a complete distraction from the ACTUAL issues that seriously need to be respected and heard by the American public.

Imagine if we actually lived in a world where candidates spoke, and regardless on their feelings for another’s opinion, they state their own with dignity and let the public decide for themselves.

I was seriously disappointed when Herman Cain wasn’t drilled for his 9-9-9 plan, which now is taking up more steam, and of course re-developing it to gain more ground, and was completely overshadowed by the bickering and finger pointing tactics of two seemingly qualified politicians that prevent them from being taken as such men of intellect and capability.

George Carlin has a stand up routine that is revolved around voting. In his hilarious criticism, he explains that he doesn’t vote because he doesn’t want responsibility for picking an idiot to run the country. I find it funny when he goes against the common phrase and says that those who voted don’t have the right to complain, because they actually made the choice to trust who they chose.

I’m very wary about this election coming up as far as candidates go. Sometimes, I’m impressed. Sometimes, I’m appalled by childish game play that floods our TVs…and we accept that as normal?  I’m done with thinking that, folks.

“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take it anymore!”