Pizza Hut rethinks presidential debate stunt

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By CANDICE CHOI and MAE ANDERSON

NEW YORK (AP) - Pizza Hut is rethinking its contest daring people to ask "Sausage or Pepperoni?" at the presidential debate Tuesday.

After the stunt triggered backlash last week, the company says it's moving the promotion online, where a contestant will be randomly selected to win free pizza for life.

The pizza delivery chain had offered the prize - a pie a week for 30 years or a check for $15,600 - to anyone who posed the question to either President Barack Obama or Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the live Town Hall-style debate.

But blogs and media outlets immediately took the pizza delivery chain to task for trying to capitalize on the election buzz by injecting itself into the process.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20121015/DA1U5VBG0.html

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In this combination of file photos, Republican presidential candidate former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, left, takes a bite of pizza during lunch with his wife Ann while campaigning at Village Pizza in Newport, N.H., Dec. 20, 2011, and then-Senator Barack Obama, right, takes a bite of pizza at American Dream Pizza in Corvallis, Ore., March 21, 2008. Pizza Hut is rethinking its contest daring people to ask "Sausage or Pepperoni?" at the presidential debate Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, After the stunt triggered backlash last week, the company says it’s moving the promotion online, where a contestant will be randomly selected to win free pizza for life. (AP Photo)

[arcane1]

1. I hoped someone would ask that, then say they are donating all the money to Obama

On a side note: that photo makes Romney look like he's never eaten pizza in his life

[Iwillnevergiveup]

3. Just like Donald Chump!

It was a stupid idea....but for the record, I'll take sausage and ANCHOVIES! MmmMmmmMmmm

[Bjorn Against]

8. Willard's eyes are seriously scary in that picture, he looks psychotic

He is biting into that pizza like he would bite into a bat's neck.

[Atypical Liberal]

16. He was probably thinking, "Were's the caviar?" n/t

[randome]

2. Good. It was an obnoxious stunt.

[sharkman25]

19. I agree. In fact, I think it dumbs-down the importance of the debate.

[russspeakeasy]

21. Pizza Hut's legacy : bad marketing, marginal pizza.

My local PH looks like it is cleaned every third monday. We switched our business to a local pizzeria.

[Bjorn Against]

4. If Pizza Hut can purchase debate questions why can't the Koch brothers?

I know that Presidential debates are already largely corporate controlled, but the idea that corporations are even purchasing the questions that are asked in the debates is sickening. If a corporation can purchase a question about pizza toppings they can purchase a question like "Is it not un-American to tax the job creators?"

[freshwest]

14. I believe Crowley has taken on that job for good pay, like all corporate media shills. Same thing.

It is vulgar and disgusting, what you suggest, but the Koch brothers and their party, the GOP, would find that just fine. Taking Citizens United to its logical conclusion, money is speech. He with the most money does most of the speaking. There is no better example than the media, but this is particularly destructive. You nailed it.

[sharkman25]

20. At least THAT would be a political question; the toppings question is asinine!

[begin_within]

5. Mitt would answer "waffle"

[Live and Learn]

13. +1 nt

[Bossy Monkey]

6. Still better than Candy Crowley, however n/t

[Ready4Change]

7. Oooo! Now THIS is important.

Do they like thin crust or thick? New York or Chicago style?

[Occulus]

22. Actually, it IS important.

But not for the pizza. What's important here is that a corporation like Pizza Hut feels the climate is "right" for them to inject their branding into the political process in the first place.

They SHOULD have felt like they don't dare try this at all. Obviously, they don't.

That's rather important, I think.

[riderinthestorm]

9. This is precisely why I don't think a vegetarian presidential candidate can succeed.

You just have to take a taste of everything or its rude to refuse.

You don't have to eat it all, but you simply must try it. The political overtones of refusing to eat something at a Dem or Rethug place is just too fraught with peril - then try overlaying a healthy eating meme on top of that???!!!

No way.

[HockeyMom]

15. I am making my own pizza tonight

Totally vegetarian; eggplant, greek olives, mozzarella, feta, red onion, oil packed sundried tomatoes, and my own home made sauce using FRESH basil and oregano. Deep Dish.

Take that Pizza Hut, Papa John's. Yes, I do get orders for it. $15, no delivery, and I don't have to increase the price due to "Obamacare". lol

[Posteritatis]

10. If that isn't an example of What's Wrong With Things lately I don't know what is. (nt)

[DemKittyNC]

11. Even eatting Pizza

the President looks cooler then Twit Rmoney.

[judesedit]

12. Look how uncomfortable Rob-me looks holding the pizza in his hand. He's biting it like he might get

a little sauce on his make-up. I wonder if he ever stooped to pizza in his college days. What? No caviar? Well, Mittens, there's always anchovies.

[Odin2005]

17. The pizza Obama is eating looks yummy!

[RitchieRich]

18. comment on a lack of meaningful difference?

Beyond just being wildly inappropriate, I wonder if they were comparing "RomneyCare" to "ObamaCare."
I wonder what Pizza Hut's political affiliation is? ...couldn't quickly google it out.

[Bjorn Against]

24. Well they have used Rush Limbaugh as a spokesperson for their product....

[bamacrat]

23. O looks young! 4 years as President and damn.

But I think he will look better after 8.