NEW YORK – Before Smoking Man, there was Obama Girl. And who can forget Jib Jab?
A new ad featuring Herman Cain’s smoking campaign manager Mark Block is the latest political video to become an overnight web sensation. The ad, with Block taking a deep drag on a cigarette while Cain flashes a Cheshire cat grin, has had close to 1 million clicks on Cain’s website since its debut last week. It’s also aired repeatedly on cable news shows and become the subject of countless parodies.
Online viral videos have become a staple of American politics. Not long ago, pricey paid television ads were the only way for candidates to be noticed. Now, anyone with a good idea and an Internet connection can generate buzz in the presidential contest.
“The most important thing to appreciate about viral videos is they really reduce the power of traditional media gatekeepers,” said Stephen Farnsworth, an associate
Read More from the Article Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politics/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111030/ap_on_el_pr/us_viral_videos2012
