It's "yes we can" for grown-ups. And it works on a couple of levels. First, it has all the sheen of a pharmaceutical ad--so it seems futuristic and forward looking at the same time as it reminds of an earlier age. Second, it rebukes Obama for his defeatism, for his insistence that America owes something to Americans, rather than the other way around, and for his lack of patriotism--yeah, I said it. Michelle doesn't take any pride from the achievements of this country, and Barack refuses to wear the flag and implies that those who do exhibit only false patriotism. The ad clearly isn't aimed at Hillary. If the American people don't buy this kind of thing, then McCain is sunk anyway. But I think it'll resonate. Update: Abe Greenwald makes some interesting observations.
Michael Goldfarb
Strength and Honor
It's "yes we can" for grown-ups. And it works on a couple of levels. First, it has all the sheen of a pharmaceutical ad--so it seems futuristic and forward looking at the same time as it reminds of an earlier age. Second, it rebukes Obama for his defeatism, for his insistence that America owes…
Michael Goldfarb · March 7, 2008
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