Eclipse at Sunrise
By Al Giordano
The Field's reporting travel schedule for today has been adjusted to accommodate the thirty minute "roadblock" - a term for when a single event eclipses all others across the TV dial - advertisement tonight, at 8 p.m., on NBC, CBS, Fox broadcast and Univision.
(The event also has the added benefit of running up the score in the 30-something states that have not seen intensive advertising or campaigning this year, which - beyond the Electoral College - could impact the national popular vote totals, and a coattail effect on Congressional races, too: it's the fifty-state strategy in action.)
Originally, we had planned to head up to Kissimmee, near Orlando, for the late night appearance of former President Clinton with Senator Obama (that event at 11 p.m. is tailor made for Florida and East Coast 11 o'clock news liveshots along with the 10 p.m. local news programs that tend to be more prevalent in the Central time zone).
But when Joe Biden was added to Obama's earlier gig this evening in Sunrise (near Miami Fort Lauderdale) we figured that the event would become part of the half-hour of "roadblocked" TV time that the Obama campaign has purchased on CBS, NBC, Fox broadcast, MSNBC, Univision, BET and TV One.
We figured right:
Senator Barack Obama will use his prime-time half-hour infomercial on Wednesday night to make what is effectively a closing argument to a national audience of millions. At times he will speak directly into the camera about his 20-month campaign, at others he will highlight everyday voters, their everyday troubles, and his plans to address them.
Mr. Obama's campaign agreed to provide The New York Times with a minute-long trailer for the 30-minute program, which is to run on four broadcast networks at 8 p.m. It will be the first time in 16 years that a presidential candidate has bought network time, in prime time, for a prolonged campaign commercial.
The trailer is heavy in strings, flags, presidential imagery and some Americana filmed by Davis Guggenheim, whose father was the campaign documentarian of Robert F. Kennedy. As the screen flashes scenes of suburban lawns, a freight train and Mr. Obama seated at a kitchen table with a group of white, apparently working-class voters, Mr. Obama says: "We've seen over the last eight years how decisions by a president can have a profound effect on the course of history and on American lives; much that's wrong with our country goes back even farther than that."
...It will also have a live component, featuring Mr. Obama at a rally in Florida.
(We may, in fact, duck out of the Sunrise event early in order to live-blog the half hour from in front of a TV set.)
ABC (the one national network not broadcasting the ad - it will be airing Pushing Daisies instead) reports:
...we're likely to see Obama at the top of the half hour program and at the bottom of the show talking about his agenda.
However the rest of the time you might see other people, like a Warren Buffett or a Colin Powell, and other people the Obama campaign calls "validators" to give testimony on why Americans should vote for Obama.
So now the roadblock programming has the added creative tension of "going live" during the show. That adds, of course, the possibility for an unscripted moment or technical glitch, but also a sense of immediacy and authenticity. As for McCain-Palin and company? Well, there's always Pushing Daisies.
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this evening in Sunrise
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Rieux (not verified)this evening in Sunrise (near Miami)...
I believe that Sunrise (where my wife grew up) is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, not Miami.
Also home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. FWIW.
What does 'pushing daisies' mean ? I have seen it used as a
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Agoram Muthukumaranderisive comment on McCain and I don't get it.
amk
Pushing Daisies
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by jim in austin (not verified)"Pushing daisies" is a euphemisim for being dead and buried; ie, underground and fertilizing the flora, much like McCain's campaign chances...
"Pushing Daisies"
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by DK (not verified)If you are "pushing daisies," you are dead and buried.
Wow, thanks austin & DK.
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Agoram Muthukumaranamk
amk, it's a euphemism
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Ann CantelowI've never seen or heard of the show Pushing Daisies, so don't know what that's about, but "pushing up the daisies" is a euphemism for being dead and buried. I didn't get that meaning from Al's post, though, FWIW. I imagine he's referring to just some vacuous tv show, since most tv shows are, but don't know.
Edit: Heh, while I was looking up how to spell "euphemism" people got in and explained it. The more I think of it, it is quite a macawber coincidence, that the show is called that. And in the Halloween season!
Thanks Ann. I now think pushing daisies is an apt analogy for
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Agoram MuthukumaranMcPalin campaign.
(I keep learning new stuff around here.)
amk
The ad tonight
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Laura Davis (not verified)I don't have TV....anyone know where I can watch the half hour online?
The ad
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Kat (not verified)Laura Davis - I would bet that the campaign will be streaming the broadcast on their website, I would check there.
Al, that sounds like a great
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Steve Hunt (not verified)Al, that sounds like a great game-plan--especially since you will be commenting on the campaign event/commercial almost in real-time. This will give the Feildhands something to chew on for the evening.
That they intend to include part of Obama's speech for part of this commercial, in live-time, is brilliant. This all seems orchastrated to imbue the sense that voting for Obama is a tangible way to be part of the show, to make history (instead of being pulled by its currents in a passive fashion).
I think that the net effect of hitting all fifty states with his central, home-stretch pitch will pay off in spades. This is masterful campaigning--on a level that we have never see in our life-times in the US.
As far as where you are at tonight, there is plenty happening in t corner of Florida that deserves competent journalism and analysis. Enjoy.
However, if you fit into your itinerary a cruise through the I-4 corridor (at least Tampa and Orlando) you will not be disappointed. There is a nervous tension that has taken hold of these parts--and it's really freaky. Something new is being born. I know, to say it is pure cliche, but something transformational is happening.
I will head out to Kissimme for the event this evening. Even though it will be late, I don't want to miss the chance to be a part of this mass event.
The Final Days
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by nepat (not verified)My hope as we head into the final stretch is that discussion of tonight's TV ad - and the ensuing rallies that Al references - dominate the news cycles heading into the weekend. What I would then love the Obama campaign to do is flood the weekend and Monday airwaves with nothing but a fireworks display of patriotism and optimism. I think the very effective Reagan '84 "Morning in America" tactic is exactly what Obama needs at this point. The arguments have will have been heard, the McCain campaign will continue in its anti-Obama cesspool, and Obama has a real opportunity going into election day to take ownership of several key narratives: patriotism, optimism, genuine leadership. People really do want to feel good about America again. This approach would also sharply contrast and spotlight McCain's negativity. And do we really want four years of that?
I think MSNBC may be
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by gettysgirl (not verified)I think MSNBC may be streaming it too.
Good suggestion from DKos
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Tara Van Nimanhttp://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/29/74221/299/275/645514
Short version: If you live where there will be lines on election day, get out and keep those people in line happy, warm and dry. Dig through your closets for umbrellas or go buy a few. Get out those old mittens. Take your guitar and play for them. This could end up being a grueling experience for some voters. This speaks poorly of our system but it is true. Do what you can to keep those people in line if it applies to your area.
Looking forward to tonite. I love that photo of Obama in Hawaii.
Brilliant!
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Beth KelleyBarack, his campaign , Al, your coverage, the irony of how effectively Pushing Daisies describes McCain......I love it!
@ nepat
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by James HaygoodRight on. The message will have been given, the issues discussed, time to just fly that flag of hope and change.
I'm eager to see how this TV time tonight plays out. Every step in this campaign has been fraught with some amount of risk, and each has played out perfectly. Now one last time, and I am confident we will once again be impressed and inspired.
Daily Show tonight - Obama!
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Catherine CainDon't forget to watch this too! For those who don't watch tv too much, it's on the Comedy Channel 10 pm Central. It's almost always taped in the late afternoon that same day.
Great show on All networks...
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Norm W. (not verified)Including "Pushing Daisies" -- actually a clever comedy that I will tape while watching the "roadblock". PD won an emmy this year-- most folks won't have heard of it, because it ran 7 shows last year but then stopped production because of the writer's strike.
If any show had to run opposite the roadblock, I'm glad it's this one. It deserves a bit of attention, in my opinion. And, no, neither myself or any relatives work on the show!
With respect to the impact
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Steve Hunt (not verified)With respect to the impact of tonight's half-hour infomercial: what blows me away is the Obama campaign's sense of momentum and message. This will be presented at the exact moment that it is needed going into the general election, five days that will shake the world.
Indeed, I can imagine that the video documentary of this campaign will become quite compelling. A renewed national mythos is being forged at this moment.
All sucessful political movements are also a form of narrative myth-making. Myths are the cultural coding that signal 'work to be done', that give the nation a sense of purpose and direction. It is no surprise that the entire nation has drifted under Bush--the guy simply has no desire to lead the nation, and the results are apparent to all.
Compared to Obama, McCain/Palin appear to be disorganized, raving loons--shrill, back-biting, vindictive, and tension filled.
McCain shoots craps--Obama shoots baskets. One keeps you broke and teetering on insolvancy, the other tones your body and keeps your mind agile.
The son of wealth and unearned priviledge pals around with bubbas (only on tv)--the other, the meritorious son of middle American trift and hardwork, pals around with artists, writers, policy makers, political strategists and activists of various stripes.
The difference could not be more marked.
Last note: I am positive that Obama's speech tonight in Sunrise will be as poetic and important as was the New Hampshire speech, the 'yes we can!' speech that set the tone toward winning the primaries. In that case, Al, you might want to be on hand for the entirety of the presentation. Just a thought. By the way, Will.i.am did an artful job setting parts of this speech to the music video that has become quite the sensation.
Si se puede!
Time/CNN Battlground Polls
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Melissa (not verified)Colorado: Obama 53 McCain 45
Florida: Obama 51 McCain 47
Goergia: McCain 52 Obama 47
Missouri: McCain 50 Obama 48
Virginia: Obama 53 McCain 44
http://thepage.time.com/
Great Work, Al
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Blue_SD (not verified)It's been awhile since I've stopped by the Field (very busy at work lately), but I have to say that you've been busy, Al! I wish your type of reporting was more prevalent in our vapid, fluff M$M. Unfortunately, I don't think that day will happen anytime soon.
Not to be the nagging kid in the backseat or anything, but I remember you saying that you had a report on the possibility of GOP election fraud in the works. This is the one thing that I'm extremely worried about, simply because their suppression efforts are going to be in high gear this year.
Diebold machines with no paper trail are a black box - and in Georgia, I fear that hundreds of thousands of votes that have gone to Obama may simply be erased.
If there's one thing I Chicken Little about, it's election fraud. And I know the Obama campaign is working hard on it, but I want to know what you think of the situation, Al.
Tape Delay in the West
Submitted on October 29th, 2008 by Tara Van NimanJust went to DVR this and found it on the schedule at 8pm Pacific. So it's on after the game here. Guess I'll try and stream it online.