Maverick: McCain and Palin are smokin'

Maverick: McCain and Palin are smokin', originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

The McCain and Palin marketing machine now has a hold of my brain. The first thought I had when I saw this sign was "McCain." Makes me want to start smoking. That's what a maverick would do.

CNN ad: 2008 7-Election coffee cup

CNN ad: 2008 7-Election coffee cup, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

Is CNN sponsoring this whole 7-11 7-Election campaign? This is the first time I've seen these branded coffee-huggers. CNN should make a Good sheet-like printed piece for 7-11 coffee buyer set. Random thought. But, if CNN thinks their audience is buying coffee at 7-11, why not go even further and give them some content with their coffee?

Politics and Celebrity Gossip: similar

This is the first year I've observed politics. I avoid it. It always seemed over my head and out of my realm of understanding. But this year year, I have podcasts and long walks in Queens. So, I am not getting into politics. My reaction? It's just like celebrity gossip, which I devour and have steadily since 2005 and "Pink is the New Blog" came into my life. Looks like the editor of Us Weekly agrees in this New York Times article.

"Janice Min, the editor of Us Weekly, argued that politicians were fair game.

'This is an election where personality is getting sold, oftentimes far ahead of platform, and that personal interest in the candidates has definitely crossed over into the pop-culture arena,” Ms. Min said. “I think that after so many years where people decried the interest in celebrity as a distraction from real issues, I’ve definitely noticed the worlds converging.'"