Hillary's announcement video. Lovable people, cute kids, even a dog, but no substance.

[JDPriestly]

Why is she running? What does she want to achieve as president should she win? Not a word.

I find the video delightful, but with it she managed to avoid the scrutiny of the press, the public and those of us in the Democratic Party who support other candidates.

The video affirms for me that we can do better than Hillary.

It's a darling video. Were the actors real volunteers or were they hired?

[Faux pas]

1. We can do better than hillary

we just need some more choices!

[Katashi_itto]

8. I loved it. It was like watching "The Stepford Wives II"

[Faux pas]

70. LOL

[onehandle]

2. Were the so-called 'people' in Obama's ads actors?

How about Al Gore's?
How about Bill Clinton's?
How about Jimmy Carter's?
How about Lyndon B. Johnson's?
How about John F. Kennedy's?

Clearly we need to question the veracity of so-called 'people' supporting every Democrat ever.

Or maybe we need to address issues and not be petty?

Hmm...?

[JDPriestly]

15. I want to know whether those were real Hillary supporters or some actors and actresses

bought and paid for with some of the money Hillary earned giving speeches to Goldman Sachs?

Nothing wrong with my question..

Do you know the answer?

I would be very impressed if the people in the ads were volunteers. And it is quite possible that they were.

[nadinbrzezinski]

56. Qualified response

but yes,

As far as Gore and Bush, as well as Bill Clinton and Carter, as well as Ronald Wilson Reagan and Poppy Bush. Absolutely, they all used highly paid political consultants and actors to produce highly crafted adds.

Political adds have become highly staged events with professional all the way and the most famous add of the 1960s had a wonderful actress. You might know it, and I am sure you saw it. It is studied to this day in political science courses, as well as advertisement classes...oh this is the add.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In the world of Citizens United I expect this professional production value to go though the roof Now to go look for the launch add. Not that I expect anything short of a professional production team, and actors in it. But as you might have noticed from my post, I am not partisan on this and will think that a person running for a political race that will cost at least 5 billion by the time all is said and done, relied on mere volunteers for this. The same will be said about her opponents, both Republican and whoever decides to run as a Democrat. The only ones I expect an amateur job from are the Greens, the libertarians, et al... translation the small third parties.

Or for that matter, maybe your local member of a Fire Board. Even larger city adds are increasingly highly produced.

Edit, and after watching it... it is exactly what I expected, a highly produced political add, with a semi populist message. I am not shocked or surprised. Granted, I have watched this crap professionally for way too long by now, so my level of meh is up there. To be fair, regardless of pol. They need to do something quite extraordinary for me to go... amazing job. That daisy add falls in that category, why it is a classic.

[PoliticAverse]

3. The message of the video was "I want to be your champion". n/t

[JDPriestly]

18. I hope she puts out another ad that tells us what dragons she wants to slay as our champion.

Ted Cruz came on full throttle with his plans in his announcement. I can't stand Ted Cruz and disagree with much he stands for, but at least I know what a lot of it is.

That ad told me nothing about what Hillary Clinton wants to do and why she is running. I am hoping that she will put out another ad that lets us in on those secrets.

And I really do want to know whether those were paid actors or volunteers in that video.

[PoliticAverse]

24. I can't find any proposals or position statements on hillaryclinton.com.

Not a very informative launch.

[madville]

4. I thought it was a Lipitor commercial

It felt like all those pharmaceutical commercials, showing people smiling and wearing LL Bean flannel shirts.

[NYC_SKP]

19. Lipitor? For a minute there I read "Cialis"...

...what the Rx commercials all have in common is GINORMOUS budgets.

Very slick but subtle effects, voiceovers, really high quality.

She spent a shitload on this.

[hay rick]

62. Only lacking the monotone disclaimers:

Take Hillaryclinton for middle class malaise- side effects may include fast track authority for TPP, gutting and filleting of Dodd-Frank, continued adventures in sundry Middle Eastern countries, and slow and painful death.

[JDPriestly]

64. +1000

[Art_from_Ark]

67. LOL

You nailed it!

[woo me with science]

69. +100000000000000000

[William769]

5. It was an announcement video.

Nothing more nothing less. Stay tuned.

Beats the hell out of Warren's. Just sayin.

[treestar]

13. LOL

Yeah, Warren's sucks!

[JDPriestly]

20. For once (well actually, for yet another time) we agree.

I wish Warren would announce that she is running.

[zappaman]

48. She reiterated that she is not running on Friday.

During Bill Mahers show.
Might be time to join the real world and stop the fantasy of her running.
She doesn't want to and she will remain in the Senate kicking ass.

[Cha]

65. It said plenty to me but then I got it. It's about People from all walks of life.

Starting something new in their lives.. think we've all been there. Hillary is tenacious.. she worked through the first four years of the Obama Admin after she lost out in the Nom process to him and now she's running again which is starting something new Redux! Good for her.

Did I miss Warren's announcement? I know I've read a bunch of times she says she's not running.

[zappaman]

73. +100

Although Warren did say firmly that she was not running again on Friday, but she's probably lying...

[RealityAdvocate]

6. High production value, completely generic.

Exactly what I expected.

[krawhitham]

7. Her campaign website to not list her position on any issues either

[RiverLover]

31. Are you serious?

Not a proud day. Not at all.

[jehop61]

9. Naysayers

gotta nay. Would you rather have a Republican, any Republican? If not, lighten up, it's Day One

[JDPriestly]

81. I'd rather have a doer and a thinker with an open mind like Elizabeth

Warren.

That's what I would rather have.

I'll go with Bernie Sanders too. He is also a thinker and a doer with an open mind.

[brooklynite]

10. So your complaint is that she didn't explain every issue in her campaign on day 1...

good to know.

[morningfog]

26. My complaint is she didn't explain a SINGLE issue.

Not one. The video was an show of money and nothing more. We waited for this?

[brooklynite]

40. Just a guess...you weren't actually waiting.

I'm guessing you weren't going to support her anyway and were looking for something to complain about.

[zappaman]

50. Bingo.

[morningfog]

60. I am totally willing to hear her positions. I have no idea

What she stands for other than herself.

[treestar]

11. You really are trying hard here

But meh, nobody will be thinking about it in 19 months.

It's a travesty how long these campaigns have become.

[misterhighwasted]

16. yes, campaigns should be 4 months long and $100,000 max

They are waaay too long.

[misterhighwasted]

12. BWAAAHAAAHAA. Nice try.

Stop trying to find a reason to legitimize the pouting.
It was well done & I can't wait for the RW to use any part of the video message against her.
May as well just stamp "I'm a big fat lying Bigot" over their dumb unprofessional campaign slogans.

What is Jeb's again? Something about "get a hard-on for Jeb"..or something about rising up. Its dumb anyway.

Just saying.

[Phentex]

14. I think it was a good start.

It appealed to me.

[m-lekktor]

17. I have no interest in watching it. nt

[Taylorz]

21. Here is my opinion

Hillary is a fake out for distraction, not the real candidate, so she had to step into the firing lane first

Ill be eager to see who else throws their hat.

I agree she has no real substance but she is our candidate.

[FSogol]

71. So, someone who was a great Sec of State has no real substance?

[Taylorz]

72. On the social issues, shes fine.

However.... on the issue of economics, there is a wide gap on she and I stand on it.

[FSogol]

75. Cool story, bro!

[Xithras]

83. What, exactly, did she do that was "great"?

Championed the disastrous intervention in Libya that ceded large chunks of North Africa to the terrorists? Failed to actually stand on the side of peace and call out the Israeli obstructionism as Kerry has done? Responded to the Wikileaks revelations about the State Department's diplomatic abuses by calling the leaks an "attack" on the United States?

Clinton has permanently lost me as a voter over her stances on war and trade anyway, but I'd hardly call her stint as SoS a rousing success.

[OKNancy]

22. I got all emotional seeing the lesbian couple

I can't think of any other politician brave enough to be so open ...
I'm a mother of a lesbian child and I want an equal America for her.

It's important to me.

[JDPriestly]

82. That is an important issue.

[ScreamingMeemie]

23. It is what is called "candidate announcing substance."

I expect to see similar from everyone who enters the race.

[bunnies]

25. Substance isnt needed in politics anymore.

Its all about the shiniest object.

[Maedhros]

77. This cannot be repeated enough times.

Elections are not about issues, they are about personalities - personalities that are carefully crafted and sold.

[guillaumeb]

27. ANY political ad is basically a commercial selling a candidate.

I would compare this video to the opening credits of a movie. Why not wait and see what she has to say before condemning her?

Or were you expecting her to lay out a specific plan in one video while also announcing that she had found a cure for cancer?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. Willing to wait, but expected more of an explanation of why she wants to run...

Just wanting to be the people's "Champion" seems a bit lacking in the motivation department.

[guillaumeb]

35. I understand.

It will be interesting to see how her campaign develops, and how the GOP will respond. I agree that generalities will not be enough for Democrats. "It's morning in America" worked for Reagan, but I hope Democrats expect more than empty slogans.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

28. You have your little vote of conscience while the rest of us work day and night to prevent

the republican hell on earth.

Difference between me and some of you is I can support Bernie, until I can no longer, then I can do the correct, adult thing, and support the alternative to republican hell.

[RiverLover]

29. Not much Hillary in the Hillary video.

Smart, really. All of those adviser$ are paying off already.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Yes, the less said, the better I guess.

[quadrature]

80. needed ...Voice Actress for Hillary

as soon as possible

[Thinkingabout]

33. Now how would we know there would be negative comments on Hillary's announcement.

Guess it was expected.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

34. As commercials go...it was...cute? Sentimental? Soppy? Annoying?

I think I'll go with..predictably shallow.

Much like the product it was trying to sell.

[SidDithers]

36. It was a fucking announcement video...

It's not her platform.

FFS.

Sid

[woo me with science]

37. It's what corporate advertising does. Manipulate to sell.

Glossy pictures on a box, but great resistance to actually labeling the Monsanto poison inside.

Wall Street can't run on the issues, because the corporate agenda Hillary represents is predatory to the people of this nation and to democracy itself. Instead, we get slick, manipulative, vapid advertising designed to sell us the product that Wall Street has already decided to deliver to us.

Corporate America has been working a long time to pervert our electoral process. To turn elections into a profitable pageant and team sport, rather than a civic exercise to find the candidate who will best represent the interests of the people. They have worked very hard to divorce campaigns from actual issues as much as possible and to replace civic discourse with vapid fluff like Hillary's ads and the shiny object scandal, cute moment, or gaffe of the day. It is relentless, cynical, and viciously, deliberately antidemocratic.

"Official 2014 Democratic Party Survey" deliberately omits the most important policy issues
http://sync.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5856363

Obama campaign REFUSES to disclose plans on Social Security to public, says discussion belongs with senators
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021483594

Lies upon lies upon lies...The standard MO of corporate politicians now.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026169801

Lies, Manipulation, and An Army of Propagandists
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6168908

Twilight Zone denials: the "deny Hillary's entire record" corporate talking points.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6478452

We are treated like blithering idiots and gaslighted to ignore reality itself
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6197744

This is the sickness into which our political system has been deliberately devolved by those who have purchased our electoral system and our government.

Nothing is more important than ending the cancer of corporate money in our electoral system. This garbage has become normal now, and we need to remind people of the electoral process that is supposed to define a democracy, in which the people's voices matter and in which candidates have an obligation to demonstrate that they will actually work for the interests of the people

These vapid, slick campaigns devoid of substance should outrage every American. So should the parade of insulting propaganda polluting our discussion spaces, in which posting mindless support devoid of content, demanding loyalty based on party alone, and attacking those who even mention the actual predatory policies of corporate politicians has utterly replaced the obligation to set forth the candidate's policy agenda and show why he or she would be the best choice.

We don't have a democracy anymore. We have a corrupt oligarchy systematically perverting our democracy into something more resembling fascism with secret laws, secret courts, mass surveillance, and the faux, glossy, utterly fake shell of a democracy.

Hillary is the poster candidate for this corruption. She represents the brazen continuation of the corporate sellout of our democracy that has hollowed out our middle class and systematically built an authoritarian, antidemocratic, corporate government to operate with impunity right alongside and instead of the one we are taught about in school.

This nation cannot AFFORD four more years of corporate dismantling of our democracy. It needs to end.

Hillary Clinton's leading role in drafting the TPP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101667554

Hillary Clinton and Trade Deals: That “Giant Sucking Sound”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016101761

Hillary Clinton Cheerleads for Biotech and GMOs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/112772326

Dissecting Hillary Clinton's Neocon Talking Points - Atlantic Interview
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209519

NYTimes notices Hillary's natural affinity toward the neocons.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025205645

Hillary Clinton, the unrepentant hawk
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024876898

More from Hillary Clinton's State Department: The fascistic TISA (Trade in Services Agreement)
http://m.thenation.com/blog/180572-grassroots-labor-uprising-your-bank

How Hillary Clinton's State Department sold fracking to the world
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251376647

Hillary Clinton Sides with NSA over Snowden Disclosures
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101695441

On the NSA, Hillary Clinton Is Either a Fool or a Liar
http://m.thenation.com/article/180564-nsa-hillary-clinton-either-fool-or-liar

Corporate Warfare: Hillary Clinton admits role in Honduran coup aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025601610#post29

The Bill and Hillary Clinton Money Machine Taps Corporate Cash
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025189257

Hillary's Privatization Plan: TISA kept more secret than the TPP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014829628

Hillary Clinton criticizes Obama's foreign policy 'failure'; strongly defends Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014867136

Some of Hillary Clinton's statements on Social Security.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024379279

Hillary Clinton's GOLDMAN SACHS PROBLEM.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025049343

Ring of Fire: Hillary Clinton - The Perfect Republican Candidate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209285

How Americans Need Answers From Hillary Clinton On TPP, KXL, Wall St & More
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017181611

Hillary Clinton Left Out By Liberal Donor Club
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025809071

Why Wall Street Loves Hillary
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016106575

Hillary Clinton: Neocon-lite
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101684986

Interactive graphic of Hillary Clinton's connections to the Forbes top 400 (Follow link in post)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025824981#post9

Hillary Clinton criticizes Obama's foreign policy 'failure'; strongly defends Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014867136

The Warmongering Record of Hillary Clinton "I urged him to bomb..."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026219783

Hillary defends Israel on Gaza carpet bombing
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025274041

Hillary tacks right of Obama on foreign policy.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024707589

Dissecting Hillary Clinton's Neocon Talking Points - Atlantic Interview
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209519

NYTimes notices Hillary's natural affinity toward the neocons.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025205645

Hillary Clinton, the unrepentant hawk
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024876898

Hillary Clinton Praises George W. Bush and the Art of Compromise
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026394878

Hillary Clinton's role in right-wing Honduran coup and aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025601610#post29

Hillary Clinton's Horrifying Iraq War Vote Still Matters.
http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/hillary-clintons-iraq-war-vote-still-matters-9737

Secret recordings show US military and a Democratic congressman distrusted Hillary Clinton on Libya (lying, manipulating intelligence)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026157088

Hillary Clinton Blasts ‘Unfair’ World Reaction Over Gaza, Cites Anti-Semitism As Factor
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025364869

Obama didn't go as far as Hillary now says she wanted to go in smashing Syria
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251375376

Hand in Hand With Kissinger: A Review of Hillary Clinton’s Review
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016102317

Hillary Clinton Serves Us KISSINGER KOOL-AID
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025504036

MJ - Hillary Clinton Praises a Guy With Lots of Blood on His Hands
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025493748

[KoKo]

41. I wondered how the "We Came...We Saw....He Died" Chuckle, Chuckle Video

would contrast with today's Announcement Video.

It would be an odd juxtaposition, revealing "conflicting" images of "Who is Hillary"......

Who knows..?

[hrmjustin]

38. You do realize it was an announcement video.

[KoKo]

42. You mean "Move Right"--Hillary for AMERICA?

Whoa! I think those of us who watched got a lot from that announcement. Much to ponder, including the new Super Duper Graphic......

What is she Thinking? "Move Right America!" Is that the message she wants to be sending? Assume it is if she (her campaign) paid for it.

[hrmjustin]

43. She is not moving right. She is moving foward.

[KoKo]

45. Forward to WHAT? Most of us see a Right Arrow as "Turn Right"

not "Move Forward." It's in the driving manual. And basic stuff one teaches little kids.

[hrmjustin]

47. I think that is what you want to see.

[emulatorloo]

78. Look at the top of your web-browser and tell me which arrow goes back and which arrow goes forwards

I think arguments against HRC based on her logo are kinda dumb.

There are plenty of other things to criticize her for.

[tammywammy]

46. An announcement video or speech now needs to include

A detailed review of all positions and a detailed plan for the 4 years in office and a list of all potential people to be nominated for any position.

Apparently.

[hrmjustin]

49. Oh well! I gues you can't please everyone.

[R B Garr]

63. +1000. Yet the GOP runs entire campaigns on meaningless slogans

or buzzwords often not more than a couple words: Evil-doers, compassionate conservative, terror, 9/11, homeland security.

[KoKo]

39. An Advertisement for a Life Insurance Company with all included...

and "happy, happy." The older woman gardening was fun. Like Hillary is out there planting flowers in Chappaqua and this woman is her friendly neighbor she shares gardening secrets with.

Michelle could pull this off because she actually did put an Organic Garden on the WH Grounds and participated...but, Hillary trying to identify with what she's told is the "working class" by pretending she has any inkling of identity with these actors in the video is a bit too far, imho, after watching the whole thing.

But, whatever. If it sells her message (WHAT IS HER MESSAGE) then the viewers will rally around her and it will be touted as a huge success that she identifies so closly with the "working class" of all creeds and colors. I don't think the video left anyone out that she is selling to.

[Zorra]

44. To be fair, substance would be completely detrimental to a Presidential Campaign

in our present day American Idiocracy, 2015.

Teh stupid is teh new normal.

[Art_from_Ark]

68. Yup

But that's been the way of American politics since at least 1840, when the presidential campaign was essentially reduced to "Tippacanoe and Tyler, too", "Keep the ball rolling", and flasks of hard cider shaped like log cabins.

[brooklynite]

51. Here's some substance...

John Podesta ‏@johnpodesta 5h5 hours ago
Helping working families succeed, building small businesses, tackling climate change & clean energy. Top of the agenda. #Hillary2016

unless you wanted her opening announcement to provide the specific text of every Bill she proposes to introduce...

[Thinkingabout]

54. Since I have not seen another candidate with all their positions on the issues presented

it may be it is okay for all others not to have to state their positions except for Hillary.

[Scootaloo]

52. I kept waiting for the soft voice informing me of potential side effects

I can't wait to hear what her new positions and policies are, though. She's had seven years to work on them, after all.

[KoKo]

57. And,..a bit longer if one thinks about how long she has been

in Government......going back to Arkansas as First Lady. Mostly her whole life.

[Scootaloo]

58. Well, what she was running on in 07-08 obviously didn't work out

This is the big challenge of repeat candidates - they lost last time, what's going to get 'em a win this time?

[pnwmom]

53. Huge subliminal substance. She includes lesbians even though Rethugs

love to taunt her as being a closet lesbian.

This video is a punch in the nose to the bigots.

[Cha]

66. Agreed!

[tiredtoo]

55. I liked the announcement

At this stage substance is not required. Any substance would have just been ammo for the rightwingers. There was a message in this.

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. Well produced political add

that basically had a nugget of a populist message, "vote for me, and you will be able to make it beyond just scratching by" but in my mind, but realize I watch these things for lunch any longer, it is an average political add.

As to your question about actors... at high levels they mostly have actors, and that goes for both parties.

Now back to work. I got a piece to outline, and no, I do not play with national campaigns any longer, In the era of citizens united I cannot compete with 5 billion dollars, the expected cost of the presidential race. Likely, it will be more when all is said and done.

[workinclasszero]

61. Funny after Hillarys video

Families concerns no longer mean shit on DU.

What the actual fuck?

I'm sure Canadian Cruz and Herr Walker will show the same concern for the struggles of gay couples and Hispanic business owners eh?

[whatchamacallit]

74. It shows she's for

... stuff.

[NCTraveler]

76. I'm with you.

I have always understood that one should attempt to create controversy and jump into issues during the announcement of a run. Specially when one has never taken a stand on anything. Actors real volunteers or hired. Seriously? That level of concern is one step away from the "logo concern."

By the way, saying that having a same sex couple in your announcement isn't substance is complete bullshit. That is substantive to its core.

[LanternWaste]

79. Henceforth, all announcements will be required to contain a policy platform, a five-year plan

Henceforth, all announcements will be required to contain a policy platform, a five-year plan and all political information forthcoming in its own time we're simply too dull to wait for and far too lazy to find on our own with seven mouse clicks.



"The video affirms for me that we can do better than Hillary."
My grade-school aged niece allows commercials to affirm her measure of a person, too (move goalposts below to maintain pretense of a rational thought).