by Frank James
Red: Obama Supporters
Green: Clinton Supporters
Blue: Undecided
Voters aren't necessarily being swayed by Sen. Hillary Clinton's '3 AM phone call' ad if the results of focus-group research done by HCD Research are any indication.
Using its MediaCurves Internet-based technology, HCD tested the ad with 554 self-reported Democrats and independents.
It found that Clinton's support among voters changed very little when comparing the pre- and post responses. Clinton went to 35 percent from 33 percent while Sen. Barack Obama's support rose to 37 percent from 36 percent.
What's really fascinating is the response of Obama and undecided voters to Clinton's appearance at the end of the ad. She goes right off the cliff with those voters.
Here's part of HCD's press release:
While viewing the ad, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. Participants were also asked a pre- and post-viewing question regarding their likelihood to vote for the candidates. To view agreement curves, go to: www.mediacurves.com
Among the study findings:
If the 2008 presidential election was held today, which of the following candidates would you vote for?
Prior to viewing the Clinton ad:
All Respondents
Clinton – 33%
Obama – 36%
Undecided – 31%
After viewing the Clinton ad:
Clinton – 35%
Obama – 37%
Undecided – 28%
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Comments
Little impact other than to show a very desperate person. She'is melting down in a sea of mudslinging. Hillary is swimming in The Swamp like the rest of us. For the republicans she's the gift that keeps on giving. Karl Rove must be loving this years democratic primary!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | March 3, 2008 7:13 PM
This article was useless.
I love how they use a sample of voters for these polls to determine future results. (sarcasm)
I for one believe that Hillary's ad was effective in the fact that it brought out the cattiness in the Obama campaign.
However, I don't like the fact that the ad used sleeping children, it obviously was used as a fear tactic that works so well in these campaigns.
Hillary, just state the differences, ax the sleeping children and you'll be fine.
Posted by: LMC | March 3, 2008 8:39 PM
Hillary won't survive Texas/Ohio and the swiftboating fest she and Bill have been indulging in will later prove to have diminished them tremendously in the Democratic party. They have gone for broke and broke they are going to be.
Posted by: AB | March 3, 2008 8:43 PM
I hate that ad. "Think of the children!" how manipulative can you get. Ugh.
Posted by: incognita | March 3, 2008 9:20 PM
It's 3:00 am and Hillary Clinton is plotting her next despicable attack on Barack Obama. In diamonds!
Posted by: Hillary's Death March | March 3, 2008 9:26 PM
The Clinton campaign strategy hasn't been great, but it still surprises me that they hope to appeal to Democrats by sounding like the Republicans.
Posted by: Tom O | March 3, 2008 10:54 PM
It's 3am and Hillary is getting a call that Bill is training another intern.
Posted by: Reality | March 3, 2008 11:16 PM
Now why is it not a great big surprise that this ad has had no impact on anything? The only impact it had was on the media, which enjoys giving free air time for ads. This damned ad got more air time this weekend than Britney, Lindsey, and Paris combined.
Even McCain chimed in saying "I'm the only one who can answer the phone at 3 am, but not before I wake up."
Hillary just sounds so unconvincing with this 3 am nonsense. It's really silly. Some people actually want this woman to be president. What a fairy tale.
Posted by: GW | March 4, 2008 12:16 AM
The ad was ineffective actually for a very simple, and straightforward reason: the national security theme is out of alignment with the polling which indicates that it's Economy that's the number one issue among DEM voters. Additionally, there is some analysis that suggests the ad was laughed at and derided in Texas--whereas it was received as a non-starter in Ohio. (some have said it did not air in Ohio, which if true, would at least show the HRC campaign understood the issues in Ohio) All in all, this is the ad that Hillary should have run much earlier in the race.
Posted by: Gregor | March 4, 2008 6:41 PM
Hilarious discussion between Hillary and obama. Must watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7150u9sfCo
Posted by: smita | March 5, 2008 11:32 PM
Hillary Clinton Phone Ad: 3 AM Phone Sex! Spoof.
A mash-up parody of Hillary's 3AM red phone scare tactic ad with Marvin Gaye, a sketch from http://lovebitesblog.com, and some random footage of Hillary Clinton
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v5jzl9ujOBU
Posted by: magic basement | March 10, 2008 11:15 PM