Many diaries have touched on Clinton's red phone ad. The media responded (they are much more interested in ads than discussion of complex issues). It surely influenced some voters. Ads distort reality, like any work of art. Ads are works of art; all art appeals partly because it distorts the factual world, think of El Greco and his long faces. El Greco sought to express ideas and promote himself, whereas ads usually promote corporate or other special interests. The red phone ad triggers many memes (1)- we’d all like a wise and powerful parent watching over us, hence religion, and we all want protection from evildoers, hence guns, police and armies. Works of art can be interpreted at multiple levels. Race and class influence almost everything. Do most white Americans think of “uppity blacks” when they see the ad? Probably not. Do they think “strong military, quick response”? Maybe. Does it distort their judgment? It tries to.
The ad evokes the meme of the President as Lone Ranger, springing into vigorous manly action on hearing of threats or evil-doing anywhere in the world.