I’m on the mailing lists for both US presidential campaigns. In the last hours leading up to election day, both campaigns are understandably reaching out to spread the message one more time. The messages have the same goal, but they’re framed quite differently.
From the Obama camp:
A heartfelt, sweeping message. A simple and moving 2-minute video: images of Obama supporters all over America. It’s a montage of people of all ages & races, smiling, volunteering, waving and cheering:
The video is carried by Obama’s ringing voice, sincerely thanking Americans for standing behind him and humbly asking them to cap it off with one last push. There’s even a gorgeous image of him speaking to a huge crowd in the rain:
The man is a prince, I’m not kidding. Watching this I lost my breath a little. It’s online here.
From the McCain camp:
Ummm. A script to use when phoning people to convince them to vote… and a list of 10 people’s names and home phone numbers. Not kidding. McCain & Palin emailed me- and remember, I’m a stranger from another country, and I am not a registered US voter, let alone a registered Republican- but nonetheless, they emailed me a list of people’s names and their families’ home phone numbers.
Who’s to say I’m not gonna call them all night & breathe heavy into their ears? What’s to stop me from threatening or intimidating them? Way to go, McCain. Thanks to you, half the population of Ohio’s gonna be asked tonight if their refrigerators are running.
CLICK TO ENLARGE: McCain emailed people's names & numbers to a foreigner like me.
What else is there to say?
One campaign makes you feel so amazing your heart tries to pump its way out your ribcage with love.
The other begs you to do some last-minute election night drunk-dialing.
Which one would you like to see in charge?
Oh I hope I hope I hope I hope.
Posted by stamp 
