Posted on 01/20/2007 2:32:19 PM PST by MindBender26
As many FReepers know, Im spent many years in TV network news. I polled old friends and acquaintances today and with one exception, all agreed that Hillary Clintons announcement today that she is running for President (yawn) is a HUGE misstep.
First, she did it at a time guaranteed to get her minimum television exposure. The Saturday HUT (Homes Using Television) numbers are miniscule. When was the last time the Saturday Noon News was a must see for anyone?
In addition, anyone watching TV today or tomorrow is probably a man and he is tuned into sports. Not Hillarys target audience!
She should have announced on 4:00 P.M on Thursday, after appearing earlier in the day on GMA, Today, CBSMN, and especially The View to coyly announce that she just might have something importance to announce soon.
By announcing at 4:00 on a Thursday, she would have been the lead story on all that evenings newscasts. Thursday is often the second highest rated show of the week. Then she would have been topic #1 that night and all day Friday. She could have been back on the AM shows and The View on Friday, perhaps even a quick Oprah appearance. Friday nights national news shows would have been all reaction stories, a visit to her hometown, yada yada yada, etc. She would have owned 36 hours of prime TV.
As it is, she chose the absolutely worst time. The Sunday AM shows will be all over it, but no undecided voters watch those shows. She will get no mojo or movement from them. By Monday, its old news.
Next her method of announcement. She posted it as a statement on her website.
Idiotic.
She could have gathered 2000 screaming, sigh waving supporters on the Capitol steps, balloons, a band, etc. Could have been a huge hoop de do! CNN, FNC and others would have covered it live, etc. As it was, nothing! In the words of one senior editor, She mailed it in!
Next, she has based her campaign on Stopping Bush. Thats got about 30 days worth of legs. In addition, everything she says for the next 20 months will be seen as political. She just threw away any chance she had of being seen as a healer or statesman like. Politically, she just painted a huge target on her back. Every time she says word one on any issue, an independent third party spokesperson can rake her over the coals, and the Republicans can stay above it all.
Finally, everyone sees it for what it is. She panicked over Obama.
He is a 60 day flash in the pan, this years Weasley Clark or Howard Dean. America is not about to elect a Black, Muslim-trained, admitted cocaine-using man President, no matter how good he looks on TV this month.
The media loves him . this month. The media that loves him now will fill the air with investigative stories about him next month. By April at the latest, he will be very old news
Bottom line on that issue; Hillary stood eye to eye against a totally non-electable presidential candidate . from her own party . and she blinked!
Mark Halperin at ABC is gushing over her announcement, but everyone else is saying Huh?
Another said, "She has been planning this for 20 or 30 years, and this is her best shot!?!?" "What's next, shooting Santa Claus on Christmas Eve?"
I think she didn't have the guts to do it the right way. Has anyone ever seen her in an impromptu interview? Without staged questions, an coaching, she's an empty (black crusty) suit.
Thanks for the info.
Poor Bill, he'll have to be a good boy for all those seconds.
As much as you may not care, they certainly know more than most about effective media strategy.
So now we have a two-year presidential election campaign. In a few years it will start four years out. It's madness.
So you believe she will not only be elected, but already has a lock on re-election? Wow. I sure don't.
The media will demand nothing from hilery. The other candidates don't dare attack her. It will be hate Bush hate Bush but never hate bubbette.
Anyone recognize that lamp from the White House?
Take out the liberal media!
I think she went out early against her advisor's advice for the following reasons.
1. Obama sucking up all the Demo oxygen
2. Money men suddenly busy
3. No money until she declares.
I don't know when the Sunday shows are taped, but I suspect it is Saturday morning. She may have missed the cut off for this week. We will see.
Pelosi can't blink.
Agree a hundred percent. Her non-announcement announcement is already the lead news story of the day. It has caused quite a stir even on FR. When Hillary speaks, everyone listens. The Queen is now in charge. Goodbye Obama, et. al.. She will suck the air out of all of their campaigns.
All good points... but after what happened on Nov. 7... this nation ain't thinking too clearly right about now and sane'n'sober reasoning don't amount to a hill o' sh*t.
Besides, she stole enough already!
Vote against them and you're:
Right and the first Rep presidential debate is in May in South Carolina. All of the candidates must get in before that. We are going to have an almost two year campaign for President.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.