Yes We Can… Hurt Obama’s Campaign!
Last election cycle, a politician’s own ill-chosen words became a viral video that cost him his candidacy. This November, will a politician get undermined by an ill-conceived viral video made by his own supporters? That’s the thought I had after watching “Yes We Can“, a new YouTube video currently storming The Viral Video chart. It’s a putative tribute to Senator Barack Obama’s stirring words after the New Hampshire primary, directed by Jesse Dylan with music by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. (Who’s better known for his stirring words, “Whatcha gonna do with all that junk … inside your trunk?”)
The video was made without the Obama campaign’s participation or permission, according to ABC News, which is a good thing, because it’s an appalling exercise in celebrity self-congratulation, reducing the Senator’s soaring plea for optimistic unity into an opportunity for some popstars to preen in front of the camera. (While Obama’s image is shunted aside, an unidentified brunette hottie actually flips her hair; Scarlett Johansson giggles. It’s like Obama Girl without irony.)
Here at NewTeeVee, we like to keep things non-partisan, but whatever your personal inclinations this election, it’s easy to see how this clip’s growing popularity can’t be good for the Obama campaign: after spending months fighting the criticism that their candidate has great rhetoric but little experience, here comes a viral video that seems specifically designed to derail their efforts. And unlike Obama Girl, “Yes We Can” is so highly polished, any protests that it’s not actually part of their campaign will fall on deaf ears. I can already picture Fox News commentators deceptively using it to dismiss the Senator as “an MTV candidate”. (“Nice beat,” as blog star and Clinton supporter Jeff Jarvis puts it. “But can you lead to it?”)
Memo to politically active celebrities: if you actually want your candidate to win, how about coming up with viral videos that actually serve his campaign, and not yourselves? And always remember: when it comes to choosing the person who gives the 101st Airborne their marching orders, few care what the star of The Nanny Diaries has to contribute.
Comments (54)
Linkbacks (11)
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[...] The Obama video as a rorschach test | NewTeeVee.com Apparently, the anthem is not cool to some because it features people who are pop-culture icons, chart-topping musicians and Hollywood stars. I get it. (Actually, I don’t, but to admit that would not be cool.) (tags: weird video politics) [...]
rexblog.com: Rex Hammock’s weblog …
— 9:26 PM on February 4, 2008
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[...] We Can Video; Michelle Obama sends out an email in praise of the supporter-created video (sorry, James). [...]
Vid-Biz: Mogulus, Yes We Can, FCC «…
— 10:07 AM on February 5, 2008
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[...] problem with Obama’s campaign to begin with: style over substance, etc. The blog NewTeeVee called it an “appalling exercise in celebrity [...]
The Obama video: media at hyper-speed - …
— 11:01 AM on February 10, 2008
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[...] problem with Obama’s campaign to begin with: style over substance, etc. The blog NewTeeVee called it an “appalling exercise in celebrity [...]
The Obama video: media at hyper-speed - …
— 11:02 AM on February 10, 2008
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[...] “viral” ads surrounding the election helping or hurting the candidates? While the Yes We Can video is so hip it hurts, it has inspired some withering satire and unintentional self-parody. Hurt doesn’t begin to [...]
Weekend Vid Picks: Political Parody «…
— 5:55 PM on February 15, 2008
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[...] scoop and we call dibs on your first interview. Bonus points if you can create a commercial that rankles James as much as “Yes We Can” [...]
NTV Moneymaker: Create an Obamercial! «…
— 2:45 PM on March 13, 2008
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[...] that everyone has the means to produce political videos, anyone can become Fox News. As we saw with the grating Yes We Can video, the irony is that these efforts are often counterproductive to the creators’ intentions. [...]
May’s Most Bogus Viral Election Videos…
— 11:30 AM on May 27, 2008
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[...] nominee’s January speech, is pretty controversial: opinions range from brilliant to campaign-damaging,. And the video’s earnest nature — a sharp deviation from the ironic tone generally [...]
Yes We Can: No Obama Required - NewTeeVee…
— 7:10 PM on July 1, 2008
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[...] so I really wish that this style of ad was still in fashion — though, come to think of it, a “Yes We Can” comparison can be [...]
Weekend Vid Picks: Old-Time Political Ads…
— 12:01 AM on October 12, 2008
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[...] New Obama Ode, It’s A New Day, Debuts on Oprah Well, turns out will.i.am didn’t hurt Obama’s campaign too badly after all, given that he, you know, won. How much credit the former Black-Eyed Pea can take for the [...]
will.i.am’s New Obama Ode, It’…
— 3:44 PM on November 7, 2008
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[...] There have been some that have said that this video makes Obama look even more like a candidate that’s all rhetoric and no experience. Hogwash, I say. [...]
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I say…it’s just a video that people made to show their support for a candidate they like. Why do you have to get your panties in a knot? Every voter should vote based on their own research of the candidates and should take this video for what it is, a video. If people base their decisions solely on this, whether they are turned on or turned off by it…then our country really is in a sad state of affairs. It’s just a video. That makes some people feel good. It’s not what the candidate is all about and people should be able to discern that. Get over it. Obama 08.
p.s. you’ll feel better if you do. peace.
While I usually agree with what NewTeeVee comments on new media, I am astonished by the shortsightedness of Wagner James Au’s last comments about Obama’s ‘Yes we can’ viral video. Politics aside, the piece is not about the celebrities endorsing obama for personal gain. They are mere a medium through which his message is conveyed. To imply otherwise would be akin to finding fault with Hillary Clinton as a candidate because she was endorsed by the New York Times or with John McCain because he uses the web (another popular medium) to deliver his political platform.
While I usually agree with what NewTeeVee comments on new media, I am astonished by the shortsightedness of Wagner James Au’s last comments about Obama’s ‘Yes we can’ viral video. Politics aside, the piece is not about the celebrities endorsing Obama for personal gain. They are mere a medium through which his message is conveyed. To imply otherwise would be akin to finding fault with Hillary Clinton as a candidate because she was endorsed by the New York Times or with John McCain because he uses the web (another popular medium) to deliver his political platform.
If my point is unclear, let me explain further. The beauty of ‘yes we can’ is in its use of popular culture to covey a message of hope and change. The idea here is to let voters know that we are all in this together, and we can make a difference; that the 2008 election is the starting point of a revolution to return America to its former glory as a superpower of generosity, intellectual curiosity, innovation, freedom, and equality.
If you remove Obama from video, the message remains the same – “Now is the time to make things better for everyone.” Prognosticating Obama’s downfall simply because his medium of delivery is popular art not only shows a lack of understanding of the political process in the United States, but also of how to start conversations in the new mediascape.
Please comment if you feel strongly about an opposing viewpoint.
Sorry, but you never actually made your point about why this would be bad for Obama.
It’s music, for christ’s sake.
It’s powerful, it’s moving, it’s the voice of millions of young people.
Music IS rhetoric… it’s tuned to the needs of those who need it. And Obama IS needed in this country… simply a pure voice who can ingite hope again, and vision for what we can be as a nation.
I can’t remember when’s the last time I heard a music video drone on about the administrative tasks of making policy.
But it’s rare to listen to something so moving and inspiring as YES WE CAN by will.i.am. And, of course, Barack Obama.
This is a primary. the video is being e-mailed en-mass to move-on supporters and being forwarded to their friends.
The masses are not going to do the mental acrobatics you just did required to turn this into a negative. The ones who would won’t see it because it’s not on T.V.
YES WE CAN by will.i.am and others is absolutely FANTASTIC and totally spot on with what America needs… and Obama represents so eloquently.
Don’t be a tone-deaf loser.
I agree. You have definitely got it wrong. YWC is a powerful video — youth, unity, and imagination work for me as political themes, and I’m an oldster. I cannot imagine such a project being undertaken for or on behalf of Obama’s competition.
James Obama knows about it
Now its on the front page of his website so it does have and his campaigns blessing and support.
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
All style and booming rhetoric, no substance. It’s perfect! That’s what the Obama campaign is about. The kids want a messianic Leader they can rally behind.
Get this Wagner James Au guy off your team. He’s using NewTeeVee to bash a candidate — badly, at that.
Man, I would hate to be a cynic like you.
Hope you find happiness in your life.
Holy crap, how did you manage to find a connection between this video and the “macaca incident”?
You need help.
OK. I think the criticism of this video is over the top. Yes it was a self-congratulatory piece of fluff as is most non-negative political advertising. But I think it works for Obama. Go O’08!
But that said Au makes a good observation about out-of-control UG campaign videos. Sometime during this campaign either a McCain supporter or an Obama supporter is going to put out a highly controversial but highly effective video that’s going to set off Fox News or Keith Olbermann. No matter what the candidates say they’ll get tagged with responsibility for the message in the video.
Candidates are losing control of their political messaging. That’s a very big deal.
Wagner, you are an idiot which is probably why you used a cartoon for your face so we wouldn’t know what the idiot behind this article looks like. I can’t belive they let you post this. It’s a music video and nothing more. If Bill Clinton’s White House brothel didnt hurt Hillary then this video will do no harm.
I believe you wrote this article so that you can “get in front of the camera”. Congratulations, you have successfully succeeded in letting everyone know how far this country has to go.
totally spurious bunk.
this post is poorly reasoned at best.
as mentioned above, its author must be a heartless and tone deaf cynic (with an extremel case of political tin-ear)
you’re right. it’s truly harming his campaign. one of the most watched, most commented on, most loved viral videos of recent times. now everybody knows how inspiring his words can be. look out the window, people are protesting, chanting ‘we want more robotic speeches from candidates only willing to tell us what they think we want to hear’. which i’m sure you’ll agree is very difficult to shout in chant form.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ……….. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
Oooh, Wagner James, I think you hit a nerve. I often question the source of all the defensiveness when that happens . . . are you too close to the truth? However, I think how that video is viewed will depend on your perspective. I freely admit to being no big fan of Obama’s, and the video merely confirms how I feel: lots of rhetoric, not a lot of substance. Reminds me a little of “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” However, if you’re a fan of the Big O., well, then, I guess it makes you feel good when ScarJo giggles. To each his own.
I think it’s an amazing music video. It’s inspiring. It’s creative. It makes people pay attention.
-Steve
I think the video is highly effective, and will reach a mass appeal. In other words, I think the opposite about every single thing you said about it.
Do you have any political experience whatsoever?
what a lame article. you are comparing this to “mukaka”?
while i agree it may give fodder to folks who have already chosen another candidate and have overlooked the fact that Obama has a longer legislative record than Hill. These people will, as the comments above prove, claim that Obama lacks substance. This claim is utterly false and proves how unwilling some folks are to accept candidates that are not gift wrapped from the establishment. Being first lady has never helped make a president before, so i’m not sure why people think it creates an advantage now.
we know that barack can inspire. if that leads you to claim he has no real substance, how about you back up your claim with some substance of it’s own.
This video will not hurt Obama’s campaign.
Its just a music video! It features singers and celebrities who support Obama.
Let me guess Wagner…you are not an Obama supporter.
I think before anyone writes any kind of article in the media they claim up front…who they are supporting!
Wow, how can you be pessimistic about something as optimistic as Yes We Can?
Drew gets the larger point I’m trying to make. Many other respondent didn’t read carefully enough, so let me restate: this post is absolutely not a criticism of Obama’s campaign, it’s an appraisal of this non-official video, which seems to be counterproductive to it. Note that I say video– the music itself is fine, I just question the montage of mostly B and C list celebrities who showed up in a studio to posture for a few hours. It seems like an unserious glomming on that demeans Obama’s message. What if, instead, the video featured a diverse montage of Obama’s volunteers who’ve been tirelessly working without much recognition for the Senator for months?
@james au
there are tons of videos showcasing obama’s volunteers. check his flickr and youtube site. it’s curious that you have singled out this video, and attempted to posit it as a definite negative (“hurt obama’s campaign”), with no real argument as to why it might be negative other than the fact that it is user generated. haven’t we been discussing this since 2004? this article is 4 years to late, and poorly hypothesized.
Yep, you’re probably right. Music well packaged can certainly hurt a cause. Someone should tell Handel he’s hurting Christianity. Someone also should let Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez know how much they hurt populism.
You get the point.
RB
This is possibly the most insipid article i’ve ever read on this site. Unsubscribed.
Congratulations. Your insipid article made it into the New York Times.
Sad.
Okay, bryan s. beat me to insipid but still…
I watched pretty closely. There is no hair flipping.
Although I may have started crying in the middle, so I could have missed a few seconds.
And that was the third time I watched it.
Call me a sap, YWC is great. Makes TV political ads look like garbage.
“And unlike Obama Girl, “Yes We Can” is so highly polished, any protests that it’s not actually part of their campaign will fall on deaf ears”
Specious logic.
The video is polished because it was made by artists who happen to support Obama and happen to be excellent at what they do.
I love it.
I am a Alien in the USA (on a J2 visa) so don’t know much about the celebrities…..
I like it for its Intention and professionalism …the story behind its inception is truly creative and inspirational, not a manufactures ad campaign.
poetry, music, and “art” are as old as we are as human beings…….its what has the capability brings us together and touch us where our rational minds can be to sceptical and unbelieving.
GO OBAMA 08 …..even as those voices grow louder
YES YOU CAN ….AMERICA…….
This is a shameful and awful post. You totally miss the point of the video.
NewTeeVee is supposed to be about new media so this video fits in. However your comments on it do not. Your comments are biased and out of order.
I hadn’t heard of this video until I read your post yesterday, so to begin with you are simply propagating what you indicate is a bad video that shouldn’t be spread. Because of your article I didn’t watch the video thinking it was something horrendous that I didn’t need to see.
I did end up watching it after 5 of my friends forwarded it to me telling me how inspirational it was to them.
Way to miss the point. I’ll certainly remember this post and take it into consideration whenever I read any other pieces that you produce.
I have two questions:
First, in regards to the statement “…with music by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. (Who’s better known for his stirring words, ‘Whatcha gonna do with all that junk … inside your trunk?’).”
When did it become a prerequisite to have a perfect image in order to participate in any political forum? It is a problem when we criticize individuals on insignificant and irrelevant matters. It becomes a deterrent for those who want to speak up and marginalizes “[the] unidentified brunette hottie,” for example, simply for “[flipping] her hair.” While also dismissing Scarlett Johansson for “giggling.”
Secondly, in response to the statement, “Growing popularity [of the YWC video] can’t be good for the Obama campaign: after spending months fighting the criticism that their candidate has great rhetoric but little experience, here comes a viral video that seems specifically designed to derail their efforts.”
Why does a candidate have to be either or? Either a great speaker or very experienced. Can Senator Obama be acknowledged for being both a great leader and speaker whose experiences equip him to be a phenomenal president. I do not understand why rhetorical capabilities makes someone less desirable as head of state.
The hair flip happens at approximately 1:44.
wow — I think this may have generated the most responses to a NTV post ever! Sweet!
you are an idiot
This video is great piece of music, well directed, and with a lyric from one of the best political speaches since kennedy. It is moving and inspiring and deliberatly non specific in content to maximise it’s emotional appeal. The fact that this was done without direct involvemnet from Obamas office just makes it more effective.
In short – it works, on every level. And you are an idiot for not only not getting it, but for not getting it in such a bitter, cynical and public way.
I just don’t understand the strange nastiness that people have towards Obama. Have you all forgotten what the whole hype was surrounding Bill just a few years ago. He was also said not to have enough experience; he was beat up about “surrounding” himself with Hollywood A-listers; and finally he ran with a very famous video called “The Man From Hope.”
Are you people Klan members, Nazis, Alzheimer patients (at least then it’s not your fault) or Republicans? (Sorry to be redundant).
It’s a four and a half minute campaign commercial. How many millions of dollars would that have cost to air on national tv? Instead it’s been viewed by millions of people on the web. This is one of the best examples yet of how new media undermines old media and changes the old equations.
Anyone else familiar with Instapundit Glenn Reynolds’ book “An Army of Davids”? This video is his thesis made concrete. Obama is so formidable because he has transformed himself from a candidate into a movement, and the millions that make up that movement have unprecedented power in the age of the internet.
What I don’t get is why everyone is so quick to devalue rhetoric, the power to persuade and inspire. I mean, when’s the last time you–or anyone you know for that matter–claimed to be inspired by a politician? And that’s what this post is missing about the celebrity thing. It’s not about the celebrities. It’s about the fact that they were moved by words to engage, to feel that good things are possible, to try and make something that’s better than what they’ve done before. I’m not an idiot, and I don’t think people inspired by this video are either. I know it’s difficult to deliver on promises, that idealism has a hard time standing up to the complexity of modern life, let alone political realities foreign and domestic. But what this post doesn’t get is that people are becoming inspired in spite of all that, which if you step back and think a little bit is a truly amazing thing in this day and age. It’s what the best art does, never mind political rhetoric. A man who writes a song about “all that junk in your trunk” suddenly thought he could do something more. That’s what your missing about this video. That’s not empty or meaningless. I actually think it’s remarkable that words can achieve such things.
I guess you weren’t too impressed with the Gettysburg Address either, hunh?
God, you’re a drip. Remind me never to read anything on this website ever again. You’re a sad reminder of how cynical and petty this country and its politics has become. You get a gift like Barack Obama, and you yawn.
YES WE CAN – OBAMA ‘08!
What drivel–I’m NOT an Obama backer, I don’t recognize most of the celebrities, and I STILL found the vid very moving.
I love the video. And so does my children. How can you make this comment? How does it hurt his campaign? If a 8 year old kid likes the video and smiles and can take those words and say yes he can… than that means the world to me. AND yes I did send a donation to the Obama Campaign…something I’ve never done in my life for any politician- So much for THAT video hurting his campaign. Dude, you could never convince me this video is negative!!!!!!!!
Dang, I’m late to the party!
This is the most laughably off-base piece I’ve ever seen on NewTeeVee. I mean, it’s flat out wrong and embarrassing to try passing the writer’s opinion off as analysis.
The “Yes we can” video is an incredibly successful piece of online video. It spread like wildfire, beyond online video geeks. A certified crossover hit that resonates with people.
People cry watching this video. And you don’t think that’s good for the Obama campaign? Wow, I’m still flabbergasted. Utterly ridiculous!
ps – I get it about the celebs/We Are the World thing. but this is so well-produced it doesn’t matter at all.
I strongly disagree with what Wagner James has said! After all, what these celebrities have done for Obama is something that no other politician has yet been able to do, this music video places emotion at the core of Obama’s speech.
These stars have chosen to place this music video in the hands of inspiration on the internet rather than in the hands of music producers and therefore profit- something they should definitely gain self-congradulation for! If they were doing it for their own sakes, don’t you think they’d want to get a bit of money out of it?
This video is revolutionary for it’s time- it’s targeting and hitting hard the younger voting audience who would not usually care or vote for any president- it’s been placed in a place where younger voters find it most accessible- it allows the rest of the world, not just american’s to access it- it presents the speech in an entertaining manner that most of the internet generation would not watch unless made this way. I really hope it does upset the traditional way of voting and get those younger voters to the poles!
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=2036
I am so scared for our country……….NO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lovely. Great site.