Even a casual observer couldn’t help but notice how nasty the political atmosphere has become recently. And in politics, it is the casual observers who ultimately matter the most as the two rabid extremes usually need to appeal to the more apathetic independents to win general elections. And, for better or worse, that is often an exercise in pure marketing
For example, the policy details of the recent health care bill are as complex as anything ever tackled by Congress. And reasonable people can debate its merits and faults endlessly. But other than a few C-Span geeks and the fringe loonies addicted to Keith Olberman and Glenn Beck, most people will never dig into that kind of minutiae.
Their opinions of policies, parties and politicians are often formed by much more superficial, subtle things. And in that context, this video is a brilliant piece of marketing that puts two of the key players in the health care debate in simple, stark (musical) contrast.
A shallow cheap shot? Absolutely. But the kind of shallow cheap shot that wins elections.