Lean Forward

(msnbc.com)

Talk about populism! No anchor desk. No furniture at all. Just pull up some carpet.

Compared to the other ads (1, 2), nobody leaning forward as much as Maddow is. Rachel, the flagship.

“Fewer Places To Hide” sounds like retort to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

The bookcase, the glasses, the pen, studying the paper = smart, educated, intellectual, informed … and, not apologizing.

The candid shot. The degree to which we’re given such intimate and access. Call it a  more believable “I’m you” moment.

With Tagline, MSNBC Embraces a Political Identity (NYT)