McCain and Obama Olympics Ad Campaigns are Dismal Failures

The Summer Olympics in Beijing have captivated Americans and people worldwide as China achieves its goal of communicating harmony During the Men39s Gymnastics final I was shockingly rooting for the Chinese team against the Americans wanting them to win on their home turf The only jarring disturbing and inappropriate aspect of the Olympics to date has been the campaign commercials for both presidential candidates which are completely outoftouch with the Olympics message of harmony Instead of rising to the Olympics occasion and presenting an uplifting message consistent with the mood inspired by the Olympics the strategists for both John McCain and Barack Obama lowered themselves into the abyss of meaningless empty dispiriting political commercialization Their failure to understand the national zeitgeist during the Olympics and their inability to inspire rather than pander and proselytize does not bode well for the next several months of political advertisingJohn McCain has shifted gears under his new Karl Roveled management team and comes out swinging with a negative Olympics campaign that is dramatically in conflict with the Olympic spirit McCain39s new handlers might have adopted the most impactful strategy by going negative early but I personally hope that voters turn against him for quotapproving this messagequotBy contrast Barack Obama39s Olympics39 campaign takes the high road focusing on energy policy as does McCain but the message is so unfocused and indirect that it is lost and in my opinion worthless Perhaps McCain39s and Obama39s messages will change during the course of the Olympics but neither candidate recognized the Olympics for the opportunity it offered a onceonly chance to share a vision for America a vision for the world and a vision for humanity at a time when Americans are actually feeling positive and globally aware Most Americans are immersed in negative crap day in and day out The economy sucks we are a polarized society wars are breaking out around the world parts of Africa are dying our government and elected officials are being proven to be corrupt immoral and unethical at all levels gas prices are restrictive the national infrastructure is collapsing medical costs are increasing as the quality of medical care declines the Yankees are losing The list of problems and complaints goes on and onBut the Olympics elevate us above the daily din of despair Unfortunately the campaign strategists for both McCain and Obama are so immersed in their own polls and personal agendas they completely fail to understand the value and unique role the Olympics play in our lives Why can39t our politicians seek to elevate the national psyche The Olympics accomplish what our leaders should at least try to do they inspire us they encourage us to believe that we can all get along they impose a positive and uplifting spirit on a global stage I expected the McCain campaign to focus on polls and newly implemented negative campaign strategies The resulting commercial quotThe Real Obamaquot achieves its negative goals by questioning Obama39s ability to lead and capitalizing on the pop culture spin generated by his worldwide popularity We expected a Rovetrained cadre of operatives to deliver such a messageBut what has become of Barack Obama What a stage for Obama to counter that message and reinforce the positive aspects of his unique ability to lead to bring us together as the Olympics bring us together What an opportunity to reinforce his strengths as a global leader yes a celebrity who might actually retain the Olympics spirit into his presidency Instead his handlers placed too much reliance on polls that establish energy as Americans39 top concern Polls are focused on the past and Obama39s strategists should instead be looking to the future They should understand that the medium is often the message and used the Olympics as an international stage to reinforce his popularity and the unique opportunity we have to elect a president who can lead our nation in the spirit of the Olympics Obama39s Olympics commercials could have and should have emphasized his leadership his belief in family his belief in himself and in our nation and world in very troubled times They could have elevated the political debate They could have reinforced that Barack Obama is the personification of the Olympic spirit at the very time voters are most receptive to hearing that message They failed

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McCain and Obama Olympics Ad Campaigns are Dismal Failures

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Jack Myers

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McCain and Obama Olympics Ad Campaigns are Dismal Failures

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