The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly has a great side-by-side interview with Obama and McCain on all things pop culture. Let's see who comes out on top here...
Music: Obama sort of cops out with the "I have eclectic tastes" answer. Now, as a person who has eclectic tastes, I can somewhat sympathize. But unless you are a music obsessive (like me), that response is meaningless. Obama is too busy to be a real music obsessive. Much has been made of Jay-Z being on his iPod, but then he also throws out names like Sinatra, Sheryl Crow, Coltrane, Dylan, "Javanese flute music," "a lot of R&B"...pandering answer. McCain is likewise all over the place. He tosses out Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt (yuck), Usher and ABBA.
ADVANTAGE: Slight advantage to Obama. (Ronstadt lost it for you, John.)
Movies: Both were asked what the first film was that they remember seeing. For Obama it was Born Free and for McCain it was Bambi. No points here either way, since they had no control over their movie choices as little children. As far as favorite movies, Obama doesn't really get to the answer, but he references the first two Godfather films. Kudos for knowing to leave out the 3rd, but those are obvious choices. Now, on McCain, his favorite was Elia Kazan's Viva Zapata! But what impresses me here is that McCain then launches into an analysis and comparison with Kazan's other more famous films, and then is able to explain why Viva Zapata!, at least to him, is the superior film. I am not so interested in his conclusion as I am that he is knowledgeable enough to delve into the film comparison and analysis in a meaningful way. And it is a good analysis.
ADVANTAGE: McCain, for clearly knowing enough to engage in meaningful film analysis and comparison.
TV: As far as television, the results really surprised me here. The only current TV Obama expresses any passion for is Sportscenter or various sporting events. He says that growing up, his favorite show was M*A*S*H (great choice). Then he says he and Michelle enjoy Dick Van Dyke Show reruns. Uh, OK. McCain blows Obama out of the water here. McCain says The Wire is a "great show" (McCain wins right there). But then he also says he's a fan of Dexter, Big Love and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
ADVANTAGE: McCain in a landslide.
Favorite Superhero: Obama says he has always liked the "Spiderman/Batman model" more than Superman because they have more "inner turmoil" and they "earn their superhero status." Superman has it "too easy." I agree, but you still didn't pick one, Barry. Avoiding the question. McCain, on the other hand, comes right out with Batman. No waffling there, and then he has a decent explanation as to why.
ADVANTAGE: Slight win for McCain for taking a stand, although I liked Obama's analysis more.
WINNER: John McCain.
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5 comments:
I really appreciate you laying all of this out for us, Dez. I was having a great deal of trouble trying to figure out who to vote for in November, but now I don't have to think about it anymore.
Didn't Obama state back in January that his favorite show was "The Wire"? And, in a follow-up interview, that his favorite character on the show was Omar? Is he trying to distance himself from that statement now? Hmmm...
Obama has expressed love for "The Wire" in the past. Also, taking a stand and analysis don't have to be mutually exclusive. Just saying.
I think jmw's a Communist. Just saying.
Obama may have expressed admiration for 'The Wire' in the past, but I am going just on this EW interview. Both candidates were given the opportunity to discuss their favorite TV shows. Obama went with Dick Van Dyke, and McCain went with 'The Wire', 'Dexter', 'Big Love' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'. I just saying...
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