The Power of Coke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPw3iRW6Its
It would that the power of Coca-Cola is what brings these two persons, ignoring their very opposing political views, together in friendship. The commercial starts out with ex-Senator James Carville and ex-Senator and Speaker of the House Bill Frist on a talk show together debating, and they happen to say the other is “plain wrong” at the same time, and Frist calls “jinx”, and tells Carville to buy him a Coke immediately, no talking. They commence departure from the talk show stage and the building, going to a street food vendor, where Carville buys Frist his Coke without saying a word (the vendor, along with most of the regular people represented here, giving the politicians very odd looks). Frist then sees a double-decker bus, looks to Carville and says, “how bout it?” Carville shrugs, “why not?”
They then commence to ride the bus, Carville now drinking the soda, obviously having a good time together. They pass a few of the classic D.C. monuments, and then are in the Smithsonian museum, both observing a classic painting of George Washington together while rocking to the background music, which sings, “Why don’t we step outside/and change our view” in a very happy, transforming your ideals, type way. They continue on their fun journey, renting Segways, getting a picture drawn together in a park as well as going to a Washington Wizards’s game. The commercial ends with them sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, overlooking the famous pond, with them leaning back on steps behind them and “cheers–ing” their Coke bottles with the Washington Monument perfectly centered between.
A children’s game that most of all of us know, “jinx”, causing the winner to receive a Coca-Cola, is what brings these two very opposing individuals together, where, seemingly because of the drink, they are enjoying each other’s company as two old friends would. They abandon the hard debate and go touring D.C. with a cola accompanying them at all times. Occasional odd looks from people like museum security guards, and food vendors show that people are surprised at the alliance of the two, but its simply the power of the beverage that’s aligning the two. The basketball game is super close, coming down to a final buzzer shot, ending with the Wizards winning, then showing the two senators sitting with the Wizard mascot sitting between, giving Carville a hug, all on the Coca-Cola highlight board in the stadium.
A large amount of cultural reinforcement is needed to fully understand this commercial. From the heatedness of political talk shows, where the show starts, to the energy of a high stakes basketball game in the last few seconds, where the commercial begins to wrap up. Without knowledge of all of the monuments, the picture of George Washington on the wall at the Smithsonian, the rare, touristy nature of the double-decker bus in America, or even who these two politicians are, this commercial would have almost not nearly as much of a meaning of relevance to the viewer.
Coke is selling the idea, that not only does their drink bring together those with the most opposite of views, but make them friends. Politics are usually a point that can sever all possibility of a good relationship between two people if they happen to be passionate about the topics (which the two politicians obviously are). And not only are they friends now, but they’re having an extraordinarily good time together. Most American’s don’t get to enjoy a double-decker bus, and only a small percentage gets to be on the highlight screen at sporting events. But Coca-Cola can help you with both these things. It is portrayed as the adhesive needed to bond America together.