Barack Obama

The Top 5 funniest online videos of the 2008 Presidential Campaign (so far…)

Doug Mohney — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:37:51 -0400

As we near a half-way point between the Democratic and Republican national conventions, with thick and heavy partisan mudslinging destined to come between now and November, the editors at Fierce Online Video feel we need to insert a good laugh at this point.

Click to read about the "Top 5 funnies online videos of the 2008 Presidential Campaign (so far...)"

4 "The Empire Strikes Barak"

Doug Mohney — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:21:53 -0400

Take the "Star Wars" movies, cast Barack Obama as Luke Skywalker and Hillary Clinton as Darth Vader, have Bill show up as the Emperor, and it works pretty well despite the odd-looking cut-and-paste mixture of political candidate heads over top of George Lucas's best works. We could also do without the Reverend side trip.

Use the Force, er, internet, and view the video.

3 "Young Hillary Clinton"

Doug Mohney — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:02:42 -0400

An original from 60Frames, Jerry O'Connell and Brandon Johnson take a look back at what Hillary Clinton might have been like in grade school. Special guest appearance by a young Barack Obama.

View "Young Hilary Clinton" video

The First Streaming Democratic Convention

Pete Wylie — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:36:14 -0400

TV networks, newspapers and magazines are all scrambling to forge a web presence for the highly anticipated nomination of Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 25 in Denver, and online video will be a large part of most offerings.

The 2008 convention will see major departures from previous coverage styles, as online video has flourished since 2004 in the YouTube era. Google's "Big Tent," which the search company set up for bloggers covering the convention, will also host streaming video site UStream. UStream will provide live coverage of the entire convention.

Newsweek and The Washington Post will team to provide live online video from 4 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. each night of the convention. C-SPAN has set up a site that will allow bloggers and other non-affiliated journalists to upload YouTube videos and Qik streams they film at the convention, in addition to their traditional coverage.

The major TV networks are also trying to get in on the online action. CBS reported that Katie Couric will present special, web-only content through CNet.com, which CBS acquired in June. ABC News will also stream live video from the convention. No word yet on NBC and Fox's online plan, but they are likely to be doing their own spins with NBC using Silverlight (again).

For more:
- newteevee.com dishes on Democratic political streaming here

The Celebutante Strikes Back

Pete Wylie — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:24:55 -0400

Paris Hilton has fired back at John McCain, releasing a humorous online video "ad" that laid out the "energy policy" for her fictitious presidential campaign Wednesday. Premiering on FunnyorDie.com, Hilton created the bit to rebut McCain's now infamous campaign commercial that compared Hilton's celebrity status to Barack Obama's public persona.

Filled with coy statements that at first seem brainless, but eventually belie a keen eye for satire, Hilton's ad announces her desire to run against "that wrinkly, white-haired guy."

The ad opens with a montage of clips from the Golden Girls and the Crypt Keeper while a voice-over declares McCain "the oldest celebrity in the world." The ad then reuses McCain's own dig at Obama, asking if McCain is "ready to lead."

After deciding Maui is the best place to go for a tan, Hilton delivers a remarkably coherent explanation of "her" energy policy, which calls for limited, environmentally conscious off-shore drilling, coupled with incentives for the production of hybrid cars. This is a delicious turn for a woman who has uttered such gems as "I don't think-I just walk," and "Wal-Mart? Do they, like, make walls there?"

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds attempted to spin the video's satirical treatment - "Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan."

Videos such as Hilton's serve to remind how large an audience online video can reach, but also what large audiences are drawn to online. Hilton's video had 2.2 million views just 16 hours after being posted, where as McCain's original video had only been viewed 1.6 million times online a week after posting, according to YouTube statistics.

Perhaps Bounds and the McCain camp should be worried that a 26-year-old ex-heiress is more visible than the presumptive Republican nominee for the most powerful position in the world.

For more:
- The Fox News article is here.
- The Wall Street Journal weighs in here.

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