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News & ArtsSaturday, July 14, 2012
2012 New Obama Ad Goes Nuclear on Romney
Posted by Paul Constant on Sat, Jul 14, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Holy fucking shit. This is the most brutal attack ad I've seen in a long, long time. It minces the hell out of Romney's offshore fortunes and his record as a jobs exporter (in the private and public sectors). And it makes fun of Romney's singing voice, turning his version of "America, the Beautiful" into a symbol of his warped view of patriotism:
The Obama campaign is clearly trying to smash Romney to pieces before the Olympics, in the hopes that he won't be able to recover from the damage to his brand once the general election really starts heating up. This is just an incredible, devastating attack ad. I don't know if it's going to turn any hearts and minds to Obama*, but it's going to sure as hell send the Romney campaign reeling. And the Obama campaign likes it when the Romney campaign is reeling.
* I don't think it's going to turn any hearts and minds from Obama, though. Sometimes, attack ads make the candidate who approved them look bad, but I don't think that's the case here. It's not a slime on Romney's character. It stays within the generally accepted bounds of fair subject matter for discussion. It's just a really, really fucking good ad. Whoever made this one should get a raise.
1
But will the Low-information Undecideds be able to read all those fancy words flying across the screen? Or will they just think Willard sings real purty?
6
Wow. I've never seen a political attack ad I could honestly describe as haunting. This is SO SOLID.
8
Day-yam. That was, without a doubt, the most devastating political ad I have EVER seen in my life. The tag a the end "Mitt Romney's not the solution. He's the problem." was a walk off Grand Slam home run. After that, it's just "Thank you and Good Night!"
10
I STILL CAN'T STOP WATCHING THIS THING. This should be the first-ever attack ad that gets optioned for a Hollywood movie. It would make a great opening sequence for a post-apocalyptic film about the United States of Bain.
11
I wish Romney had never sung that or ever sings again in public, and I dearly hope he listens to Rupert Murdoch and gets some professionals in his campaign. It’s getting very annoying.
But isn't it interesting the Obama campaign is still using childish juxtapositions of stock closed factory shots and Bain when he can't praise his accomplishments over the past four years? A la ‘Morning in America’? No ‘I kept America from getting worse with the stimulus and now everyone can get health insurance with the Affordable Health Care Act’?
This ad is effective, but it’s just more of the same as well.
Funny how outsourcing was never really talked about during the decades that America's textile mills started shutting down several decades ago. Tell Apple to start outsourcing then if you are all in a snit over Bain. Truth is 80% of Bain's acquisitions went on to succeed. I suggest everyone upset about Romney and Bain determine every business, municipality, mutual fund, or whatever infected by Bain so that you all can avoid them and remain pure, and be sure and toss your IPhone while you’re at it.
Days to election: 115
But isn't it interesting the Obama campaign is still using childish juxtapositions of stock closed factory shots and Bain when he can't praise his accomplishments over the past four years? A la ‘Morning in America’? No ‘I kept America from getting worse with the stimulus and now everyone can get health insurance with the Affordable Health Care Act’?
This ad is effective, but it’s just more of the same as well.
Funny how outsourcing was never really talked about during the decades that America's textile mills started shutting down several decades ago. Tell Apple to start outsourcing then if you are all in a snit over Bain. Truth is 80% of Bain's acquisitions went on to succeed. I suggest everyone upset about Romney and Bain determine every business, municipality, mutual fund, or whatever infected by Bain so that you all can avoid them and remain pure, and be sure and toss your IPhone while you’re at it.
Days to election: 115
12
As Republican candidate for President of Kenya, I condemn these brutish attacks. As President, from my offices in Nairobi, I would call on UN peacekeepers to establish a cease fire zone between Romney and Obama until they have resolved their differences and agree to work on rebuilding irrigation ditches and intensive farming techniques. In return, Kenya will supply your factions with rocket launched grenades, and solar ovens, so you no longer burn your forests for cooking.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co…
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co…
13
Gotta say it, I love "Candidate Obama" he is one bad ass. Just wish he was as bad assed against the corporate giants he cozied up to the past three plus years.
16
Sometimes Obama and his team manage to pull off something amazing. The "I Am An American" video with birth certificates, explosions, and Optimus Prime; the cold-hearted laughing at jokes about bin Laden's location, while the operation to kill him was in final prep; the savage destruction of Donald Trump; and now this.
Well done.
Well done.
17
@11: Yeah, how dare Obama not focus his ads on the hot button issue of textile mills in the 1950s(?)!
19
Clearly, you're on to something, Paul.
I believe the vid below should clarify everything, and not just my fondness for attractive women, either!
(Pay attention Sesame Streeters, we realize youse guys have short attention spans!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIEovbAmD…
I believe the vid below should clarify everything, and not just my fondness for attractive women, either!
(Pay attention Sesame Streeters, we realize youse guys have short attention spans!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIEovbAmD…
20
This ad is in the same league as LBJ's Daisy ad. I remember it well, as 1964 was my first vote for president.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63h_v6uf0…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63h_v6uf0…
21
@19 Voting for Nader last decade was such a brilliant idea you want to do it again? Did we change to a parliamentary system and no one shared?
23
I don't think it's that brutal. I expected more from the description. But it is a fairly clever juxtaposition. More memorable than the usual campaign ad.
I don't know how effective it is, though. Depends on how much it burns you that Romney's money and companies are involved overseas. A surprising number of independents may not really care that much.
I don't know how effective it is, though. Depends on how much it burns you that Romney's money and companies are involved overseas. A surprising number of independents may not really care that much.
26
@11
"I wish Romney had never sung that ..."
Such a poor troll. You don't even know how many times he has sung that at his various stops. It's part of his routine. Even The Daily Show put together a montage of a dozen times.
"Funny how outsourcing was never really talked about during the decades that America's textile mills started shutting down several decades ago."
You must have been a little young (unborn?) back then because it was a MAJOR issue. So you probably picked that line up from Fox News somewhere.
"Tell Apple to start outsourcing then if you are all in a snit over Bain."
So you are confusing Bain with Apple now?
Here's a hint, Apple actually produces a product you can pick up and carry.
"Truth is 80% of Bain's acquisitions went on to succeed."
To succeed in shipping jobs overseas? Not much laudable in that.
"I suggest everyone upset about Romney and Bain determine every business, municipality, mutual fund, or whatever infected by Bain so that you all can avoid them and remain pure, and be sure and toss your IPhone while you’re at it."
So says the troll who likes to defend racists.
Because there's no difference in ACTIVELY shipping jobs overseas
vs
NOT hunting down every possible connection no matter how tenuous.
That's the best trolling you have? Defending racists and talk about "remain pure"?
"I wish Romney had never sung that ..."
Such a poor troll. You don't even know how many times he has sung that at his various stops. It's part of his routine. Even The Daily Show put together a montage of a dozen times.
"Funny how outsourcing was never really talked about during the decades that America's textile mills started shutting down several decades ago."
You must have been a little young (unborn?) back then because it was a MAJOR issue. So you probably picked that line up from Fox News somewhere.
"Tell Apple to start outsourcing then if you are all in a snit over Bain."
So you are confusing Bain with Apple now?
Here's a hint, Apple actually produces a product you can pick up and carry.
"Truth is 80% of Bain's acquisitions went on to succeed."
To succeed in shipping jobs overseas? Not much laudable in that.
"I suggest everyone upset about Romney and Bain determine every business, municipality, mutual fund, or whatever infected by Bain so that you all can avoid them and remain pure, and be sure and toss your IPhone while you’re at it."
So says the troll who likes to defend racists.
Because there's no difference in ACTIVELY shipping jobs overseas
vs
NOT hunting down every possible connection no matter how tenuous.
That's the best trolling you have? Defending racists and talk about "remain pure"?
27
It may be good copy for resentful blue collar workers, but I don't put much stock into the off-shoring issue. Off-shoring happens, it's a global economy. The most I hope for are trade sanctions/duties on countries with abusive labor practices (then again, that might be us). And the debate over whether Romney was at Bain when seems like inside-the-beltway blather.
That all said, the use of his (terrible, and situationally awkward) singing of America, The Beautiful makes that ad quite a haymaker.
That all said, the use of his (terrible, and situationally awkward) singing of America, The Beautiful makes that ad quite a haymaker.
28
Hell to the yes! Barack Obama vanquishes his enemies with such skill. Osama, Beohner, Scalia all fall to their knees in defeat! Finally a Democrat who knows how to fight!
30
I've said it before - Obama needs to keep twisting the knife into Romney's lies all the way to election day and do it as brutally as possible. That's the only thing the American electorate understands these days. This ad is a great start.
31
@22if you mean mittens in the vid, yes it does. If you mean randomly thoughout the day, rarely.
@24 No, but I do blame you for making my pee smell funny. But. since we are in a two party, winner take all election system, any 3rd party will at most harm the party they're more closely aligned with.
@24 No, but I do blame you for making my pee smell funny. But. since we are in a two party, winner take all election system, any 3rd party will at most harm the party they're more closely aligned with.
32
well.
unless Obama employed 6 or 7 million Americans in order to produce this ad it isn't going to impact the election much.
because.
it's the Economy. Stupids.
unless Obama employed 6 or 7 million Americans in order to produce this ad it isn't going to impact the election much.
because.
it's the Economy. Stupids.
33
@27
"Off-shoring happens, it's a global economy."
Possibly. But what is Romney's plan to address that? Since he keeps trying to "focus" on how bad Obama has been on "jobs".
Since Romney put together a business that took multiple American companies and outsourced their workforces for his personal profit.
Romney can say that he'll fight for American jobs.
But his record shows quite the opposite.
"Off-shoring happens, it's a global economy."
Possibly. But what is Romney's plan to address that? Since he keeps trying to "focus" on how bad Obama has been on "jobs".
Since Romney put together a business that took multiple American companies and outsourced their workforces for his personal profit.
Romney can say that he'll fight for American jobs.
But his record shows quite the opposite.
34
@ 24, The Bush election was the result of a perfect storm (this is about the only instance where calling that isn't at all cliched). Nader was a major part of that. Not the sole factor, but if you haven't learned to accept your role in putting Bush in the White House by now, you'll probably remain in denial for the rest of your life.
35
Hooray for commercials! Along with this attack ad, my other favorites are Progressive Insurance, KFC, and Macy's.
36
"global economy" ranks right up there with 401k's in terms of asinine products, created by corporate thieves, and hoisted off on a naive and selfish public. Budgeting your money until you die doesn't sound like a very delightful prospect to me.
Bring back tariffs and pensions. Tax the rich not only upon death, but also when they choose to reproduce.
The alternative is what always happens when the wealth is concentrated at the top, and it seldom ends well. Just ask the Romanovs.
Bring back tariffs and pensions. Tax the rich not only upon death, but also when they choose to reproduce.
The alternative is what always happens when the wealth is concentrated at the top, and it seldom ends well. Just ask the Romanovs.
39
@24 Because some unemployed and underemployed people may start to wonder why jobs they need can't be shipped back for them? Or voter for the nominee that is a proponent for shipping even more?
@ 34 thanks for the assist. Tho I have one minor bone to pick. "Perfect Storm" is always a cliche. See Internet Rule #316-Any meme attached to Mark E Mark is immediately cliched. See porn, Tim Burton and mens underwear.
If sticking with meteorological terms, I wondering if '00 wasn't a Perfect Storm, but the New Normal.
@ 34 thanks for the assist. Tho I have one minor bone to pick. "Perfect Storm" is always a cliche. See Internet Rule #316-Any meme attached to Mark E Mark is immediately cliched. See porn, Tim Burton and mens underwear.
If sticking with meteorological terms, I wondering if '00 wasn't a Perfect Storm, but the New Normal.
40
I hope that it tested well with the undecided white middle-class women voters that Obama needs to win over in states like Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina.
42
@11, "Gay Dude for Romney." Just change your username to "I Get Off On Being Contrarian." You don't have to be a democrat, but if you give even 1/5th of a shit about not getting fired just cuz you like cock, you're not going to vote for Romney.
And yes, I gave into the troll. I can hear him fapping already as I press "post comment."
And yes, I gave into the troll. I can hear him fapping already as I press "post comment."
43
@42
Given the timing (and response) I can't help but think that this ad isn't aimed at swing voters at all, but is instead aimed at the lefty base, and the much-bemoaned-by-pundits "lack of enthusiasm" therein.
Given the timing (and response) I can't help but think that this ad isn't aimed at swing voters at all, but is instead aimed at the lefty base, and the much-bemoaned-by-pundits "lack of enthusiasm" therein.
44
@27
"Gay bashing happens, it's a Christian nation."
"Blacks should eat in separate venues, it's a white nation."
"Indians should accept their lot, as the British are making them less savage."
"Native Americans should get off that land, it's Manifest Destiny."
"Africans should work those fields, it sustains the Southern economy."
"Moslems should give up the holy city at sword point, because we have one-third of a claim to it."
"Jews should bow to their Roman betters, it's a Roman province."
Because a thing can (in insane ways) be rationalized does not make it ever right, if it's wrong. Here are two thousand years of examples.
Off-shoring happens, it's a global economy.
"Gay bashing happens, it's a Christian nation."
"Blacks should eat in separate venues, it's a white nation."
"Indians should accept their lot, as the British are making them less savage."
"Native Americans should get off that land, it's Manifest Destiny."
"Africans should work those fields, it sustains the Southern economy."
"Moslems should give up the holy city at sword point, because we have one-third of a claim to it."
"Jews should bow to their Roman betters, it's a Roman province."
Because a thing can (in insane ways) be rationalized does not make it ever right, if it's wrong. Here are two thousand years of examples.
45
I've been in Iowa for the past month and this ad has been on TV here constantly. There are an equal number of Romney ads that show Obama in grainy black-and-white, trying to mak him look like a serial killer.
I'm so grateful I live in a non-battleground state, even if I live in the red part.
I'm so grateful I live in a non-battleground state, even if I live in the red part.
46
@45: Hey, Spokane and Whitman counties went for Obama in 2008. My two reps and senator (sigh, now retiring) at the state level are also dems. My precinct even voted overwhelmingly in favor of gay rights the last time they came up. (2010, maybe? Ref 71? I'm getting old.)
Where do I live? South Hill? Brother, no. I'm in the heart of West Central. And we, here, are blue. Represent!
Where do I live? South Hill? Brother, no. I'm in the heart of West Central. And we, here, are blue. Represent!
47
Good ad, which let us know that Obama thinks outsourcing, offshoring and using tax havens are un-american, yet ignores how they have become fundamental to the global economy thanks to many people including prominent Democrats (over half the world's GDP now flows through tax havens). How does Obama's record stack up regarding these issues considering a) the no-follow-up 2009 OECD blacklist that ignored some of the largest tax havens (City of London and a number of US states or the simple fact that many large tax havens are little more than UK jurisdictions), b) the failure to reform NAFTA despite Obama's commitment during the 2008 campaign, c) the new "free" trade agreements (including with tax haven Panama) that are bound to result in more of the same (trading jobs for cheaply manufactured goods), and d) Obama's wishes to further lower corporate taxes.
48
World Bank approves funds for Ethiopia-Kenya power project
http://www.sudantribune.com/World-Bank-a…
While my opponent, Mutava Musyimi, may pooh pooh these efforts, I say it's good for business, good for Ethiopia...and most of all, it's good for Kenya!
http://www.sudantribune.com/World-Bank-a…
While my opponent, Mutava Musyimi, may pooh pooh these efforts, I say it's good for business, good for Ethiopia...and most of all, it's good for Kenya!
50
The Constitution of Kenya
http://kenya.rcbowen.com/constitution/ch…
A person shall be qualified to be nominated for election as President if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he,---
is a citizen of Kenya; and
>>>bhahahah...no one follows those rules any more...NEXT!
has attained the age of thirty-five years; and
>>>Yeah...boyeee...I got that down!
is registered in some constituency as a voter in elections to the National Assembly.
>>>My head hurts...what are you saying...I will ignore this one, too. As an American, I have the right to attain the Presidency of all other nations. Let's just leave it at that.
http://kenya.rcbowen.com/constitution/ch…
A person shall be qualified to be nominated for election as President if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he,---
is a citizen of Kenya; and
>>>bhahahah...no one follows those rules any more...NEXT!
has attained the age of thirty-five years; and
>>>Yeah...boyeee...I got that down!
is registered in some constituency as a voter in elections to the National Assembly.
>>>My head hurts...what are you saying...I will ignore this one, too. As an American, I have the right to attain the Presidency of all other nations. Let's just leave it at that.
51
The best part of the ad is how it plays with the Reagan line that government isn't the solution but the problem.
It reminds us that Republicans, when elected, don't think that the government they operate has any business even trying to create solutions. It reminds us that any Republican who claims that, if elected, they can solve our problems is either being untrue to us or untrue to their ethos.
It reminds us that Republicans, when elected, don't think that the government they operate has any business even trying to create solutions. It reminds us that any Republican who claims that, if elected, they can solve our problems is either being untrue to us or untrue to their ethos.
53
@51 Here's the clip of the famous Ronald Reagan quote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ixNPplo-…
I'm hoping this serves as a subliminal message to all those good Republicans out there, to undermine Romney's credibility with them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ixNPplo-…
I'm hoping this serves as a subliminal message to all those good Republicans out there, to undermine Romney's credibility with them.
57
Obama is defining Romney very effectively. It's swiftboating. Right or wrong, it works. Romney is toast.
59
@ 50, you dumb motherfucker, you broke slog by not closing your tag.
Typical of these rightwing dumbfucks to leave a mess for everyone else, isn't it?
I don't suppose we can close it for him, can we?
Typical of these rightwing dumbfucks to leave a mess for everyone else, isn't it?
I don't suppose we can close it for him, can we?
60
Oh, wow, I did it. But I guess it's because #50 is too stupid to do as much damage as Bush and company.
63
@62
I don't really know. Maybe because I put the close-bold tag in the middle of my post and typed stuff after it, but that's just a guess. (You'll notice that my last line is in regular type--that comes after I tried the closing tag.)
I don't really know. Maybe because I put the close-bold tag in the middle of my post and typed stuff after it, but that's just a guess. (You'll notice that my last line is in regular type--that comes after I tried the closing tag.)
64
Thank you, seatackled!
@SRotU: Be more careful, please. I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time you've fucked up a comment thread with your lousy tagging skills.
@SRotU: Be more careful, please. I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time you've fucked up a comment thread with your lousy tagging skills.
68
Its an effective ad. As an editor myself I liked the audio adjust throughout. Clever. While his record and history on matters mentioned in the ad are no doubt important factors - I just stumbled across this old video of Romney and the Gay veteran. It was hard to watch this veteran straight up get told he's a second class citizen by Romney. Gay dude for Romney - watch this and then tell me that you want this guy as your President. Because that is just crazy: http://youtu.be/GRN9Y5Nvdqk
70
Bailo: This is where you attempt to be not a twat, and you say "Whoops, sorry everyone. Thanks for fixing that."
Or, you know, just continue being a dipstick. Your momma must be so proud.
Or, you know, just continue being a dipstick. Your momma must be so proud.
71
@68
WOW!
I'm also dumbfounded by Willard's mentioning of what he did while this man was in Vietnam -- "I went off to serve my church for a few years".
What he doesn't mention was that he got a deferment from the draft and that his deferment was granted only a few months after he had protested IN FAVOR of the draft while in college.
Romney clearly thinks he above everybody else.
What an asshole!
WOW!
I'm also dumbfounded by Willard's mentioning of what he did while this man was in Vietnam -- "I went off to serve my church for a few years".
What he doesn't mention was that he got a deferment from the draft and that his deferment was granted only a few months after he had protested IN FAVOR of the draft while in college.
Romney clearly thinks he above everybody else.
What an asshole!
72
Here's more background on Romney protesting IN FAVOR of the Vietnam War draft, several months before he is granted an automatic deferment for being a Mormon missionary.
The guy is a bigger coward than Bush Jr who at least joined the National Guard (at a time when the Guard rarely went overseas).
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/08…
The guy is a bigger coward than Bush Jr who at least joined the National Guard (at a time when the Guard rarely went overseas).
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/08…
73
The ad is brilliant. Nothing more effective than using facts against someone's words, or in this case, a very badly sung song.
77
Thanks for the slash-B tag. Hilarious how this thing works. Can I do some SQL injection?
And yeah, Mitt is such a fucking smoldering Mormon turdpie.
As Boehner said... "nobody likes this guy."
And yeah, Mitt is such a fucking smoldering Mormon turdpie.
As Boehner said... "nobody likes this guy."
79
I like how they made it sound like Romney's voice is coming over the PA system at an empty factory. Very chilling. And the Swiss flag audibly rippling in the wind... Excellent.
Also, Mitt Romney got the words wrong, singing "purple mountains majesty" instead of the correct "purple mountain majesties".
Also, Mitt Romney got the words wrong, singing "purple mountains majesty" instead of the correct "purple mountain majesties".
81
@68: Yes, being in favor of a candidate who does not support same sex marriage is the biggest compromise I, being gay, endure. To most of you, that would be intolerable, case closed. As that noble veteran in the video.
But, to continue with Obama, as he said in his own words a few days before his victory in November 2008, that he wants "to totally transform the United States of America" -- four years is enough of that for me, thank you very much.
The key word is *totally* here as Obama more than likely said it in the context of his ideological passions of America's role in the world and his far-left socioeconomic ambitions.
All our politicians make compromises on issues they hold dear or their constituents hold dear as they determine the greater good, and such is no different for us voters.
But, to continue with Obama, as he said in his own words a few days before his victory in November 2008, that he wants "to totally transform the United States of America" -- four years is enough of that for me, thank you very much.
The key word is *totally* here as Obama more than likely said it in the context of his ideological passions of America's role in the world and his far-left socioeconomic ambitions.
All our politicians make compromises on issues they hold dear or their constituents hold dear as they determine the greater good, and such is no different for us voters.
82
I don't know why President Obama need go negative.
He can simply run on his strong economic record and popular Obamacare program.
He can simply run on his strong economic record and popular Obamacare program.
83
#81: There's a huge gulf between "does not support" and "has signed a pledge to support a federal constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage, to make opposition to same-sex marriage a litmus test for federal judicial appointments, to back the Defense of Marriage Act and to override Washington D.C.'s self rule on the issue."
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