The Presidential Race As I See It
I’m sorry to who I am about to offend, but this Presidential Race feels like a joke. To me I equate it to none other that one of those “Hi, I’m a Mac”, “And I’m a PC” commercials. You know the ones.
“Hi, I’m Barack Obama and I’m cool. Celebrities want to support me because I am cool. If I could I would wear a t-shirt and jeans on this commercial, because I am like you. Don’t you think I’m cool? In fact, if I could play a Feetwood Mac song on the saxophone I would because I am that cool. Even the “cool” Christians like me because they are ‘thinking outside the box’. Pretty soon I hope to be in the cover of Relevant Magazine because I am just that…. Relevant. Check the box for Barack Obama”.”
“Hi, I’m John McCain, and I’m not cool. I usually am never found without a suit on. I’m really old and am the personification of a ‘Conservative Republican’. That makes me not cool to most people, including ‘cool Christians’. People make fun of me because I don’t play the saxophone, and I didn’t have a cool, popular Christian author pray at my party. Pretty soon I hope to be on the cover of AARP, and I’m secretly praying there are more ‘conservative’ people in America than there are ‘cool’ people. Check the box for John McCain”
Am I way off here? Does anyone else feel like this Presidential Race is quite literally the same as one of those commercials? I don’t follow politics all that much, and this is why. It’s a joke. It’s a race to see how many popular people in specific genre’s and mediums you can get on TV supporting you, and then America does what they are told. Mac told us to buy iPhones because they were cool. We did even though we just needed a phone. Mac told us they were “cooler” than PC’s and we listened. Now you can’t walk into a trendy part of town anywhere in America without seeing a wall of people tucked behind that Apple logo wondering how to right click something. Marketing is awesome.
my thoughts are here already:
http://www.loveisgreaterthan.com/why-i-believe-in-politics-am-a-democrat-and-a-christian-too
Hahahaha… wow… right on. That’s so true! Now excuse me as I go play on my ipodTouch.
Marketing is awesome. It pays my mortgage.
Yes. Absolutely. I could even hear the commercial music.
And the line about wondering how to right click was priceless.
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i guess the more important question (politically) is who you would like to see as the 2 candidates?
i really enjoyed this post, however, i do have to say that most hardcore republicans aren’t that into mccain because he’s not ‘conservative enough’ on certain issues. in fact, he’s pretty moderate.
but i did like the comparison.
and yes, american politics are a joke.
gene.
I have no idea who I would want to see as candidates. I don’t even necessarily disagree with all the ‘cool’ Christians backing Obama, or the ‘not cool’ people backing McCain.
I’m just saying that’s the way this election has been spun.
Todd.
Me too. (sort of… okay well not really, but it’s getting there… it’s a slow process that is painful and ugly, and I hope to someday look back on this time in my life and laugh.)
Brody,
Yes, I have to agree that this race is a lot of hype.
I’ve hear a lot about how cool Obama is but little about what he believes or how he wants to bring about “change.” I believe Obama is marketing himself as “cool.” He’s the dancing candidate on Ellen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWpvkLCvu4
As for McCain I have to agree with Gene. “personification of a ‘Conservative Republican’ ” is pretty big stretch. I don’t think this is how he is marketing himself. (Perhaps this is how liberals are trying to market McCain to differentiate him from Coolbama?) In reality McCain is known as a “Maverick” and he accepts this image.
Just check out his “Debra” ad to see what I’m talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=597YG23mAWs
I think you hit the nail on the head. Obama definitely has the “cool” factor and McCain…well, he’s got the “old as dirt” factor. Politics is so gosh darn frustrating. How am I supposed to pick between those two guys to represent my views and values when, in reality, neither of them do?
You are dead on accurate, Brody! This election is a living nightmare for me!!!!
….When the news/media became about entertainment and not reporting the news is when this turned into a popularity contest. We however, aren’t the only suffering generation. It started way back when TV first came about and political candidates could have the debates in a broader forum on radio and TV rather than
oh man. homerun!
I agree. I made fun of the DNC all night last night. It’s like Days of Our Lives up in there…I’m sure the RNC will be the same.
I don’t love either candidate. So I’ve decided to pick my top 2-3 issues & vote with whomever is most in line.
If only I could stop laughing, I’d comment…
So true. The sad part is that some people are basing their vote solely on the cool factor. It frustrates me when people say “down with Bush” or “vote for Obama,” and then can’t follow it up with a solid explanation.
this analogy sums it up perfectly. darn it, why didn’t i think of it first. i’m glad it is coming out how silly/frustrating this election is
You may be close on the political race, but the “Mac told us they were ‘cooler’ than PC’s and we listened” comment is a bit off. For me, it’s more like “Mac showed me they work better than PC’s and I listened.”
I don’t mind you hating on the politicians or the folks who just want to be trendy, but I can’t have you knocking on a superior product just because it happens to be popular among the “cool” kids.
I can’t say that my opinion transfers into the political realm because I’m not sure either option is an overall “superior product”. Happy voting to you all.
Shannon “Owner of two Macs, tons of music, photos, and videos, zero viruses, and zero iPhones” Smith
I could see the comparison, but like others pointed out, McCain is NOT a Conservative. I hope anyone who thinks he is just because he is running on the Republican ticket will look further. I hope the “young” voters go with their beliefs and not the coolness factor.
Shannon,
I hear what you are saying but you and I both know that those Apple commercials are absolutely focussing on the “cool factor”. I’ve been using a Mac since around 2000 and have 2 in the house right now. I agree with the better product thing. I also have an iPhone and agree with you there. I’m not knocking a better product, I’m knocking the people who have no idea they have a better product. They just bought it because they didn’t want to be the dork at the coffee shop that pulls out a Dell.
Brody, this post of yours made me think about when I was first able to start voting. I remember something my dad said to me near voting day of my first big election. I had asked him about who he thought he was going to vote for and if/why he was a Rep or Dem or Indep, etc. I just assumed I already knew his answer. Boy, was I wrong! I’ll never forget what he said…
—————————————————————————
“Well,” he told me. “I educate myself as best I can on each individual candidate. I get informed about the issues that the Lord has laid on my heart (not just what issues “they” are spotlighting at the time). I make a point to keep my mind open to what God has to say and not assume I know it all, nor assume I’ll only vote for so and so party because I always have or because granddaddy did or because I’m tired ‘n’ it’s easier or whatever. I work very hard to be aware, purposeful, and prayerful in the time preceding election day. And I remind myself that Christ has a plan. His plan, not mine. Like everything else, government/law/authority still fall under His umbrella, even when I don’t understand how. The Bible tells us in Philippians to be prayerful in everything we do. So, if I’m prayin’ about everything else in my life… why wouldn’t I pray about who God wants me to vote for? Be informed, be pliable to the Spirit’s leadings, pray, obey…vote. That’s what I do darlin’.”
Nailed it!
Totally agree with you, Brody.
And totally agree with Melody’s dad, too.
how dare you bring apple into this…
I’m right on with Melody’s dad too. In fact, it sounds very similar to the explanation my dad gave me as he drove me down to register to vote on my 18th birthday.
I’m tying very hard to wade through the muck, the mire, the “politics,” and the outright lies to see where the candidates really stand on some issues.
However, at the end of the day, while I’m certainly a resident of the US (by birth) and take my responsibility as such very seriously, I’m a citizen of heaven and my future is there. I spend the majority of my time trying to be prepared for that and to ensure that others are too.
Beth
ha ha Chad’s comment was great!
And yes…kind of…except McCain kicks way more…um…butt than that PC dude. He doesn’t take crap from anyone!
LOL! Great analogy!
I still want a Mac…I want to be in that wall
I love my Mac laptop. I hate politics.
I hate the drama and how its not really about the issues. But you are really accurate.
Running for office is not about serving the people as it should be, it’s about how much you can serve yourself. So I could give a flying leap about politicians. I may not even vote this year, as I’m pretty disgusted with our “leaders” from both sides of the isle, and neither of the presidential candidates appeal to me at all.
I think the Mac/PC commercial comparison is an accurate descriptor of how the media has painted the candidates.
mac has a great product…marketing for them is secondary.
as for the politicians…neither are a great product…just great marketing.
Wow, what a post?! Ditto to Melody, Beth and rest of posts! May God lead for He is the ultimate Planner and Life Painter–I treasure that so very much for He is in control no matter who goes into office!!
God bless you all and God bless America, land that we all love–However, praise God for we are just passing through while storing treasures in heaven!
I agree 100% with everything you said, I’m just not “cool” enough for people to listen.
i think McCain’s VP selection today, solidifies what Brody said!
I definitely agree with this post. Drama FEST!
But, I gotta hand it to McCain. He sure made the next episode of this election a shocker! I am surprised but excited over his VP pick.
McCain’s pick for VP is his way of “trying to be cool”. Like if Obama was rocking a hip t-shirt and rock&republic jeans, McCain just came out in Dickey’s from Wal-Mart with his t-shirt tucked in and no belt….sweet McCain
That’s pretty much dead-on.
Republicans need some younger candidates with somewhat a “Cooler” image to remain relevant to younger voters.
I’m not saying it’s right, but we are living in a Pop Culture world.
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I agree with your comparison. It is quite interesting that people that want to appear cool are supporting Obama, even if they have no idea what he actually has stood for and how he has voted in the past. This is especially intriguing with “cool Christians”.
The strategic marketing and branding of political candidates is ridiculous on both sides, but unfortunately a reality. What’s next….Obama 2.0?
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