Thursday, August 30, 2007

JOHN MCCAIN

Highlights of That McCain Biographical Video

One might wonder if voters really want to watch a twelve minute video telling the life story of a guy who’s been front and center in American politics since 1999.

But whoever put together John McCain’s newest bio video has a great sense of how to tell his story cinematically. It begins with the grainy Vietnamese interrogation footage, which instantly makes clear this isn’t the usual gauzy “Man from Hope” politician’s story.

Other pretty eye-opening moments:

Orson Swindle pointing out that McCain was “a split second away from not being here” after a rocket hit the fuel tank under his plane on the U.S.S.Forrestal on July 29, 1967.
McCain talks about being tortured in a level of detail I haven’t seen before. He tells the story of the North Vietnamese guard who would secretly loosen his bonds, and who drew a cross in the dirt of the prison courtyard of Christmas day. It’s surprising that McCain isn’t the favorite of more members of the Christian right, when he’s got stories of faith being tested like that.
His mother saying that hearing her son was a prisoner of war was, ironically, some of the best news she had ever heard, as it proved her son was alive.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty appears, saying “the best sermons aren’t preached, they’re lived.”
His mother says she almost feels sorry for his opponents.
Former Gov. Buddy Roemer of Louisana saying that the opposition is ‘good people, all,” but that McCain is the strongest.
At least two shots of McCain walking the White House grounds with Ronald Reagan doesn’t hurt.

Any weaknesses? Well, the biographical stuff is so strong, it almost makes the very limited talk about the issues pale in comparison. There's so little, you wonder if they might as well have just cut that out. And if my e-mailbox is any measuring stick, the people who aren't supporting McCain today aren't where they are because they've forgotten his life story, it's because they're mad as hell about his immigration stance, his deal on the Gang of 14, campaign finance reform, etc. I don't think they'll budge from their opposition because of this video...

08/30 11:09 AM Share