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08/15/2007
Hillary Clinton, "Invisible"
This campaign ad must be doing something right; it's already earned an angry response from the White House. But what's surpising here is not that Clinton takes potshots at the president -- it's how effectively the ad pulls it off.
Let's face it: most politicians are not poor, and most never have been. All too often, when they try to connect with the troubles of the "average American," the average American is tempted to flip them off. But somehow, speaking of the people she says the current administration has rendered "invisible," Clinton does connect. She's not putting on falsely folksy airs and saying, "Hey, I'm one of you." She's saying, "Okay, I'm not one of you. But I see you and I get you, and I want to help make your life better."
Of course, distancing yourself from an outgoing administration with record-low approval ratings isn't exactly revolutionary campaign strategy. Hell, even the Republicans are doing it. But Clinton's already using the debates as a forum to showcase her tough side and shout down those that think a woman (or a Democrat) doesn't have the strength to lead the country.
Am I convinced that I'm looking at the next president? Not just yet. But I am more intrigued than I thought I'd be, and for 15 months before the election, that ain't bad.
05/14/2007
Looking Back With the Clintons
Though I'm personally not the biggest Hillary fan, this video montage of her many accomplishments, narrated by former President Clinton, does impress me. Why? Well, in these early days of the campaign, candidates only have so many opportunities to prove their courage and character. And while John McCain has been candid about his time in the Hanoi Hilton, and Barack Obama has written extensively about his troubled adolescence, neither of them have released photos of their old hairdos to the general public. That's a sort of bravery few men -- and fewer women -- rarely demonstrate.
05/10/2007
Bill Richardson: Overqualified for President?
Using the scenario of a job interview for this ad is a clever way for Bill Richardson to explain his qualifications for the Presidency. However, if the Governor of New Mexico is serious about informing the American public about his credentials, maybe he could speak a little slower? Rattling off a list of accomplishments isn't enough to convince a divided nation of your capabilities -- especially if they don't have any time to process them.
