Follow on Twitter
Like on Facebook
Subscribe by RSS
Have you seen Cain’s new internet video? It has gone viral and the media is all over it because they don’t understand it. What do you think of the video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhm-22Q0PuM
Gavin Frisch
Latest posts by Gavin Frisch (see all)
- The Token Republican: Live Blogging Election Day - November 6, 2012
- A Letter to the GOP - October 24, 2012
- The Token Republican Live Blog: Foreign Policy Debate - October 22, 2012
1 Comment
Gavin, what do you mean the media “doesn’t understand it?” What’s to understand? No choice in a political ad is an accident. At best, the smoking usage is a symbol for expertise, knowledge, and experience. These are tropes that should not still be related to smoking, but they still are in contemporary society. At worst though, it’s a nod to Cain’s tobacco industry cronies. Either way, it’s impossible to argue that the use of a cigarette in a modern political ad is not inappropriate (not to mention, strange and a bit awkward). Not only is this not effective advertising (the goofy song and Cain’s creepy smile at the end kind of ruin it for me), but it reinforces notions about smoking that have become largely taboo in the modern political milieu. I don’t think it’s THAT big of a deal. Just try and do better, Mr. Cain.