Obama's New 30-Minute Ad, A 'Political Kamehameha Wave'

Can Tran October 29, 2008

Back in mid-October, it was revealed that Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama’s campaign had paid for a massive ad that is almost 30 minutes long. This ad is one of the longest ads. However, it is the not the first time a presidential candidate has bought a 30-minute ad. Back in 1992, Independent candidate Ross Perot did the same thing.

It was revealed that the Obama campaign had bought a 30-minute ad to be played before game six of the World Series of Major League Baseball. Because of the length, the game would be delayed by 18 minutes.

The Republican National Committee accused the Obama campaign of delaying the World Series. It accused Obama of putting politics before the country’s national pastime.

However, the buying of the ad has been approved by FOX. In addition, MLB had agreed to delay the first pitch to play the ad.

Tonight, game six of the World Series of MLB has started. That would mean we get to see Obama’s thirty-minute ad. According to a campaign advertising expert, it shows the strength of the Obama campaign.

Evan Tracey of the Campaign Media Analysis Group explains that it is strategically brilliant.

Why?

“The strategic brilliance of this for Obama is that he is going to consume about 24 hours of the news cycle,” Tracey explains.

The campaign for GOP Presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona launched an attack ad to counter Obama’s thirty-minute ad.

The Obama ad has been broadcasted through several different networks. For the most part, the buying of the 30-minute ad shows the amount of money the Obama campaign is pouring into ads.

But, the timing of the ad has to be considered creative and very strategic. The ad is also available for viewing online.

Perhaps the McCain campaign is angry that it did not come up with the idea first?

This 30-minute Obama ad could be the political equivalent to a Kamehameha Wave. The Kamahameha Wave is the signature technique of Goku, the main character of the Dragon Ball Z series.

In a sense, the Obama campaign has laughed a political Kamahameha Wave. In that regard, we can call Barack Obama “Super Saiyan Barack Obama” or “Obama the Super Saiyan.”