Adam L. Silverman, PhD*
A couple of the commenters in the Superbowl open thread have remarked on the Chrysler ad featuring Clint Eastwood yesterday. I watched it, as well as most of the other ads and the occasional bits of football that they broadcast in between them, with an Information Operations (IO) bubba. Always interesting to see what the messaging professionals think of the professional messaging. Anyhow it was pretty clear that this was one of the two or three best ads of the night (and I do agree that the Fiat ad was great too). What immediately struck me was just 1) powerfully done ad, 2) is that Clint Eastwood? Really? Given the subject matter of the ad and what I think I know of his politics?, 3) I bet a whole lot of people are going to look at this as a political ad and specifically for President Obama's reelection.
What struck me the most was the politics behind the ad and what it would mean that Clint Eastwood, who is often identified as a Republican, but describes himself as a libertarian had agreed to do it. As one can imagine, depending on one's political views, not to mention how one feels about the Obama Administration stepping in and helping to manage Chrysler (and GM's) restructuring, seems to determine one's response to the ad. Apparently Chrysler and the ad's makers actually tried to play down the politics by using footage of union supporters (with permission), but carefully avoiding footage of signs that would show it was explicitly union. Karl Rove has weighed in against Mr. Eastwood's participation, so he may be voted off of the Republican Island or made an unperson or something....
So what say you all? Good, bad, or otherwise on this ad?
* Adam L. Silverman is the Culture and Foreign Language Advisor at the US Army War College (USAWC). The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of USAWC and/or the US Army
** Hat tip to the Crooks and Liars folks for the Marketwatch and Nation links and to Digby for the WaPo one.
MB, One of my favorites too. Clint said most of what he knew about directing he learned from Sergio Leone.
Posted by: optimax | 08 February 2012 at 05:59 PM
And that's the best indictment there is of the Republican Party and the entire narrative they sold to the Tea Party and the rest of the disgruntled majority who are fearful, distrustful of political institutions and unsure of where the country is going. The "America is collapsing" theme is the last defense of the group that has proven itself incompetent and unfit to lead. Real reform comes when people are optimistic, not when they are fearful--congratulations to Clint Eastwood, and too bad for anyone who doesn't like the message. I've always wanted an Abarth anyway...
Posted by: LFS | 08 February 2012 at 10:07 PM
When I first saw the commercial, I thought nothing special about it. Well done, of course, and I liked it's spirit. Then I hit the road for work this week and heard on the radio about the "controversy," so I wanted to watch it again. And now I have.
Controversy? Only if you're looking really hard while playing Karl Rove's game. The irony: The script anticipates Rove with Eastwood saying, "It seems we have lost our heart at times and fallen for division, discord and blame."
Heaven help anyone who doesn't embrace the hate.
Posted by: New Orleans | 09 February 2012 at 01:16 AM
Fred! Some believe that through front and backdoor financing by the US Treasury and FED banks received from between $17 and $28 Trillion in various loans and deals. And of course with current FED low interest any bank can borrow and then buy US bonds at higher rates. A totally subsidized business IMO.
But what few in the USA understand is how much in corporate subsidies and special regulatory favors--the SEC for example really does not enforce its rules against banks--is that the amounts far exceed those funds flowing to health care, education, or infrastructure that is owned by the public generally, not just stockholders.
I call this system corporate socialism and if ethnic cleansing added would be FASCIST! Note that many of the world's first social welfare programs started in Bismarck's Germany.
Posted by: William R. Cumming | 09 February 2012 at 08:34 AM
Yes.....or better yet, State Capitalism, as is witnessed in China, except the U.S. is approaching it from the other side, but most assuredly, China and the U.S. are going to meet as one as far as that ideology is concerned.
This author has it pegged, IMO, and I'm not happy to report it.
http://agonist.org/numerian/20111220/look_carefully_at_those_north_koreans_mourning_the_death_of_kim_jong_il_we_could_be_them_someday
Posted by: Morocco Bama | 09 February 2012 at 01:49 PM