Archive for March, 2008

Hillary’s “3 A.M. ad” Girl Doesn’t Approve of that Message

Remember the “3 A.M. ad”? Casey Knowles, the little girl featured in the ad, does…

Let’s join Casey in moving beyond the politics of fear and reaching for hope. Donate today and grow the movement.

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Pennsylvania Spotlight: Lisa in Shrewsbury

Lisa, a resident of Shrewsbury, is another Pennsylvanian who wrote a letter to superdelegates about why she supports Barack. Here is part of what she wrote:

I am a stay-home mom, quiet before now with regards to politics.  My parents never talked about their political standings.  But, something I heard from Barack Obama has awoken something inside [me].

For years, I have felt as if the political windmill was untouchable.  Something that only the rich and elite can influence.  I have always felt that anyone in politics is easy swayed with donations, votes, and that the middle class person can’t make a difference in that circle.  Until now.  I heard Obama speak in Baltimore City and when he said that we all make a difference, that we all must work together to make change, I stood up and haven’t been able to sit down since.

…This country NEEDS Barack Obama to lead us, to inform us, to inspire us, to heal wounds across the world.  In my mind, no one but Barack can do this.

A volunteer at her children’s school, Barack’s positions on education and health care are really important to Lisa.  She also likes how she’s “able to relate to him.  He’s not out of touch with regular folks.”

Lisa’s making sure everyone she knows is to registered to vote as a Democrat by March 24!  We need your help registering voters — sign up to help register voters in Pennsylvania this weekend!

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Open Thread: A Good Day in Oregon

In between the incredible rally this morning with Bill Richardson in Portland and the event tonight in Eugene, Barack found time to visit the American Dream pizzeria in Coravallis.

From the Washington Post:

With the endorsement of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in hand, Obama paid a dusk visit Friday night to the American Dream pizzeria in Corvallis, home to Oregon State University. It was back to Rock Star Obama, as the candidate was mobbed. Lauren Beyer, 23, gushed that she is planning to change her lifelong Republican registration so she can vote for him in the May 20 Democratic primary. “It’s all about change. It’s someone who can come and actually talk to America,” she swooned, as Obama made his way slowly around the restaurant. “It’s hope. It’s hope.”

Jerry Middel, 50, had already switched his party registration from independent to Democrat for Obama’s sake.

“He had a good day…” Middel said, watching the pandemonium with a satisfied smile.

If you live in Oregon, there’s still time to register as a Democrat before the April 29th deadline.

Enjoy your Friday Night Open Thread . . .

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Top Posts Of The Week [Roundups]

LEAKS: Best Buy’s Internal Customer Profiling Document
“…our exclusively obtained document contains several brand-new Best Buy personas, including “Maria Middle America” and “Empty Nesters” Helen and Charlie.”

Woman Sues American Airlines Over Masturbating Passenger
“When the woman opened her eyes, she saw that an unknown man had moved into the seat next to her and was staring at her as he masturbated…”

RIAA Pockets Filesharing Settlement Money, Doesn’t Pay Artists Whose Copyrights Were Infringed
“Lawyers who have represented artists such as The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, and Christina Aguilera say artists and managers are upset that they haven’t seen any of the settlement money the RIAA received after suing the popular file-sharing services.”

Should American Airlines Have Flown Five Overbooked Passengers Across The Atlantic In An Empty Plane?
“Friends of the Earth is outraged that American burned 22,000 gallons of fuel for five passengers. Great customer service or eco-scandal?”

Circuit City Will Access A Secret Panel In Your TV For $104.74
“…they have access to a service panel that your normal everyday consumer can’t get to. They’re supposed to tweak the settings according to ambient light in the room, and an end result is they also reduce power consumption making the TV last longer.”


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This E-Zip Comfort Electric Bike Cannot Be Purchased Anywhere [Walmart]

An affordable electric bike that can go 18 mph for over 20 miles, but isn’t sold online or in stores? Detroit, you clever fox, you’ve done it again!

E-Zip Comfort Electric Bike [Walmart] (Thanks to Jeff!)


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Nasty Spring Snowstorm Affecting Flights In And Out Of Chicago [Travel]

A nasty spring snowstorm is messing with Chicago says reader humphrmi:

Just thought I’d get the word out… Chicago is getting smacked with a spring snowstorm. I just went outside and it’s nearly white-out conditions outside.

The FAA says:

Due to WEATHER / SNOW-ICE, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving Chicago OHare International Airport, Chicago, IL (ORD). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

MSNBC says that over 350 flights have already been canceled at O’Hare, so be sure to call your airline and see what’s up if you’re headed in or out of Chicago. If you’re already stuck at O’Hare, smile, the AP is taking photos (seen above).

“Travelers catch a nap at Chicago’s O’Hare International airport Friday, March 21, 2008. An unseasonable snow storm moving across northern Illinois has caused the cancellations of about 350 flights at O’Hare.”

O’Hare Cancels 350 Flights — So Far [MSNBC]
(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)


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Slideshow: Richardson endorses Obama

Here’s a slideshow from Portland, Oregon, where Governor Bill Richardson endorsed Obama today…

Watch the speech here

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5 Things Your Customers Aren’t Telling You [Ask The Consumerists]

thebasementshow.jpgI’m working on a 20-minute presentation to be delivered before a bunch of marketing dudes and dudettes and I’ve been tasked with delivering my attempt at insights about The Consumerist and marketing in general. I’ve come up with a general framework of “The 5 Things Your Customers Aren’t Telling You” and wanted to throw them out to see what you all think and see whether they’re a good representation of our overarching themes and beliefs. Here’s what I’ve got so far:


You don’t need marketing, you need better products.
Even if you give Kool-Aid man a boombox and oversized pants, it’s still sugar water inside his big glass head. You can only live up to your brand’s true identity. A homespun phrase sums up this philosophy: “You can’t polish a turd.”

Your customers aren’t listening to you.
They’re talking to each other, and your disgruntled employees, online. Communication channels are so broad and splintered that flooding the marketplace with repetitive messages is increasingly ineffective.

Privacy is more important than you might think.
What people mind most is not the giving out their personal information, it’s being surprised by that information being used to invade or degrade their privacy. Opt-in is king.

Ignore customer feedback and complaints at your peril.
Consumers are increasingly willing to use hardball tactics to get what they deserve out of your business relationship.

Have you ever tried telling the truth?
Not all products are meant for all people, so let’s stop pretending that they are. You deliver certain benefits at a certain price. And when you mess up, own up to it. Customers respect a business that truly acknowledge its shortcomings and makes honest efforts to fix them.

(Photo: Getty)

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Senator Obama on CNN tonight

Anderson Cooper spent the day on the trail with Senator Obama today in North Carolina.  The interview will air tonight on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 at 10:00 PM ET//9:00 PM CT.

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‘A More Perfect Union’: Messages from Pennsylvania

The only thing more impressive than the sheer number of responses to Barack’s speech that we’ve received so far is the diversity of the people who have submitted them. People of all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs have found echoes of their own stories in Barack’s words, and inspiration in the hope that he offered.   

Marcia B. from Pennsylvania:

I’m a white, 74-year-old-woman — the demographic supposedly voting for Hillary Clinton. But I am for Barack Obama. I have been since he first spoke at the Democratic Convention refuting divisive politics, calling for the unification of what is desperate in America, asking Americans to turn the page and move into a new time and a new politics … America is and always has been multiracial and multicultural. I see in the younger generation such a willingness to come together with peoples of many colors and backgrounds and I applaud that. I hope those of my ilk can move beyond fear and prejudice and support moving into an America that can work to mend the broken places in our country and seek to lift us all to our greater possibilities.

Patrick K. from Pennsylvania:

I am a conservative Republican and have not always seen eye to eye with Sen. Obama on many issues. However, his words as well as his actions show that he is a great leader with a deep understanding of and love for our country as well as its people. This is not just change, this is a better way to run a campaign and a better way to govern our country. I will be proud to vote for him.

Randy C. from Pennsylvania:

Now I know why I am changing my registration to Democrat, so I can vote for Barack Obama on April 22nd.

There are only a few more days left for Republicans, Independents and unaffiliated voters in Pennsylvania to register to participate in the Democratic Primary. 

You can help by calling Pennsylvania voters right now to identify supporters and encourage them to register as Democrats by March 24th.

And if you live in Pennsylvania, you can register now.

Visit PA.BarackObama.com for more news and info from Pennsylvania. 

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