The Audacity of Hype - Obama does it AGAIN!

Can you believe that Barack Obama did it again? See my May 18 post, in which I noted, with some awe and admiration, how he pushed Hillary Clinton off the news. Lat night he did it again. She trounced him in Kentucky, wiped the floor with him, yet what did we see on the news? Not HER victory speech, but HIS oratory on winning a majority of pledged delegates. That is just remarkable.

Once again, Obama teaches us in media a lesson on ways to control the stage: Make a bigger story than the one that’s out there. Also, it apparently helps to have the news media in the tank for you. See these comments from Chuck Todd of MSNBC:

"Perception vs. reality:
We’ve noted how big a role perception has played in these Democratic contests. Some recent examples: Clinton holding a double-digit margin over Obama in Pennsylvania for most of the night until Philly returns dropped it below 10 points, or Obama’s big North Carolina victory versus Clinton’s narrow one in Indiana. Now here’s the latest example: Despite Clinton’s 35-point win in a state her husband carried twice, the lead in most of the papers today is Obama's declaration of securing a majority of pledged delegates. The New York Times’ headline: “Obama Declares Bid ‘Within Reach’ After 2 Primaries.” The Washington Post: “Obama Takes Delegate Majority.” It's the story of the Clinton campaign since March 4. Despite basically running even or slightly ahead of Obama in the primaries held since March 4, she can't change the trajectory of the race.”

In retrospect, it appears that Senator Clinton lost the race early on, around the same time that Katie Couric asked her about a contingency plan in case she didn’t get the Democratic nomination. The Senator just brushed off the question, responding, “Oh, I’ll be the nominee.”

Pride goeth before a fall, anyone? Don’t go into any campaign arrogant that your message will come across. Again, a good lesson for us in communications who seek to persuade others.