The Eyes Have It

Today, I received an email from the Democratic Nominee. The thoughtful man wanted to personally explain why he chose to forgo public campaign funds...with the enhanced charm factor of video. As I looked at his handsome face, heard those noble words, and finally gazed into those famously earnest brown peepers, my overall impression was this:

"Next time, PLEASE move the teleprompter so his reading isn't RIDICULOUSLY obvious."

Seriously, that director should be shot in the face with a Nerf gun. To their credit, the initial image was great: comfortable distance, relaxed stance, crisp blazer, requisite flag pin. Nothing seemed amiss from that vantage point. Then, a few seconds later, it's NOSE HAIR CAM. Right in his face. Every ocular movement was crystal clear. (As is his skin. Remarkably so, it must be said.)

Now, this rant is not simply that of my inner, nit-picky theater producer (though I don't deny that it plays a role); moreover, it's a reaction to the inevitable internet peanut gallery. One witch-hunting message board poster usually reflects a percentage of a less-vocal but like-minded population. This afternoon, this video received several comments saying, paraphrased, "Look at his dodgy eyes. The man is a total liar." Of course this is a simple matter of misinterpreting the reading of a teleprompter, but as everyone in political marketing knows, image is everything.

Am I overreacting? Perhaps, but in a race this tight, one can't afford to let anything go to chance. In this case, the gorge between visionary and shifty politician could have been bridged by a little monitor, if only adjusted a few inches.

Step it up, Plouffe. You're better than this. Just push his iPod content, and you can't lose.