November 29, 2007
New Rudy Ad - “Democrats will pwn you,” ad
Rudy’s new ad follows the Giuliani formula for a campaign commercial. Talk about New York + Bash the Dems = Awesome ad
Seriously though, I do think the whole New York thing is getting a little old. All of his ads thus far have dealt with that. I understand to some point, it showed his experience and he did a hell of a job, but I like something fresh and fun. To be honest win you I think he should put his YouTube ad out on the airwaves. I love humor in campaign ads because it humanizes the candidate, makes them more fun and believable. I also think humor connects with the American people. Is the most professional ad in the world, no, but the GOP has struggled to get the young people to vote for them (or vote at all for that matter) humor is a great way to capture that audience.
Back to Giuliani’s new ad, he does use some humor, saying that he expects the democrats to raise taxes more than they promise, and I also like to attacking mode, however specifics make the difference. In an ad like this people want to see the facts behind the talk, if that’s added in, it could make a big impact.
Fred Thompson - “Suck it,” ad
If there’s one thing Fred Thompson did with this ad it was make a splash. I’d like to note that I said he should do this in my column, Fallout Fred, looks like he listened. Anyway, the ad premiered at the YouTube debate and it was so shocking that it took Anderson Cooper aback. He offered Romney and Huckabee an opportunity to respond.
The brilliant thing about this ad is it’s using fact and not faceless accusations. Fred Thompson doesn’t even talk in the ad. He simply lets the video speak for itself, which is a smart move. My personal opinion is, I’m not interested in what they said ten years ago, I’m interested in what they’re saying now. However most people aren’t like that and put a lot of stake into candidates history, that’s why the ad is effective.
Watch out, we might have another surging candidate on our hands.
November 27, 2007
They just keep coming and coming, new campaign commercials yet again.
Fred Thompson - The “Fred Thompson use to have hair?” ad
This is your classic touting of experience ad and it does a fairly good job. You have to keep in mind that while people know the name Fred Thompson and could recognize him as “the guy from Law and Order,” his experience is not attached to his name. As for his rival Giuliani, his experience is immediately attached to his name, which is good for Rudy.
The problem with Thompson’s ad is that he doesn’t have much to tout. He was a congressman for a long time, but didn’t really accomplish much. If he’s going to simply having a “touting” contest with the other GOP candidates, he’s going to lose.
This next one isn’t an ad but I would like to comment on it.
One of the psychopathic Ron Paul supporters has brewed up a new idea. A Ron Paul blimp! So they can drop Ron Paul propaganda packets and “enlighten” America.
Okay, so maybe that’s not the purpose, but there really is a guy trying to get one made. The idea is to fly it around populated areas and large events in hopes to get his name out there. They dream of flying it at the Super Bowl but that might be a problem seeing as though the Super Bowl has a strict no fly zone.
In any event let me tell you why this will fail.
You know how to get spam in your email inbox. Do you know anyone who likes that? Didn’t think so. That’s essentially what the Ron Pauliacs are doing with all these banners and crashing rallies and blimps. They’re spamming the American people. They’re is going to be a large group of people that won’t vote for him simply because he’s got all his supporters being bugging the crap out of the American people.
People don’t want to just see his name, they want to see what he has to say. By him just forcing his name down the people’s throat, voters will simply think he doesn’t care about them. Which is basically true.
November 19, 2007
The campaign commercials are just flying out of presidential candidates now, here’s the latest two from Romney and Giuliani.
Mitt Romney - “Hey Mitt Romney’s in my kitchen,” ad
There’s just something about invading other people’s homes with your wife and talking about family that makes people want to vote for you. In this ad Romney talks about the important of the American family. I totally agree with everything he says. The foundation of this country is based on family and parenting, hence the fact that we’re free. The government trusts you can take care of your own child in your own way, and that’s what diversifies us.
The ad certainly is effective, anytime you talk about family you’re going to hit a soft spot in everyone. And if you articulate it well, such as Romney did, it can be effective.
Rudy Giuliani - “I kick crisis in the ass,” ad
I like Rudy’s ads. They’re not in these dumb diners like Fred Thompson or in other people’s home’s like Mitt Romney, in fact it’s tough to tell where it actually at. The reason for that is so the setting doesn’t distract from the message. The message in his ads are profound and important. He does a good job of explaining his experience and that’s a big component to the primaries.
November 14, 2007
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Campaign ad time.
I love campaign ads for two reasons. One, they’re corny and generally stupid and dull. And two, they have horrible actors. But despite their downfalls they can also make or break a campaign. A lot of people vote based upon ads and they can speak profound words about an opponent or the candidate being featured. Three new ads were just released, let’s take a look at each one.
Fred Thompson - I Love this Diner, ad
I’m kind of torn of this ad. All of his commercials have been from this friggin’ diner and I want to know where the hell it is, because it looks like a nice place to eat. Despite it’s redundancy the setting it effective. It makes him look “down to earth” and “folky.” Sure the message is cliche and the position is not original, but it has a good feeling.
Is it going to be effective? Not to hard core anti-illegal immigration activists, like Tancredo, but for the average American, which is the core demographic, it’ll work.
Rudy Giuliani - If you’ve forgotten already, I was the Mayor of New York, ad
One thing I hope doesn’t become a constant in Giuliani’s ads is the harping on his success in New York. Right now I think it’s appropriate, but Rudy we get it, you were mayor of New York.
I think if there’s ever a time to push an ad like this it’s right now. Once the general election rolls around people want to know what you’re GOING to do, not what you’ve done. The primaries are the time when candidates shake out their bags of old accomplishes and flaunt them. It’s good for now but six months from now that won’t be an effective ad.
Tom Tancredo - That Dude just blew up a mall, ad
Let me tell you why this is a brilliant ad. Because it’s getting tons of media attention.
Sure not all of the press about Tom’s ad has been positive. But when you’re bringing up the rear in an election there’s no difference between negative press and positive press, press is press. Obviously when you’re the front runner it’s different, but Tancredo just needs to get his name out there right now. And that’s exactly what this ad has done.
If we actually talk about the message behind it, it’s certainly a good scare ad. Much like the Johnson ad depicting the girl plucking the leaves off of a flower only to be blown up (or what seems as blown up) by a nuclear bomb. That was to scare voters away from Goldwater, and it worked.
Scare ads aren't necessarily the “prettiest” ads, but they tend to be the most effective. People are going to watch that think “I don’t want that happening.” Will it win Tancredo the nomination, not a chance. Will people remember him for that ad, possibly. In the end he’s right, it just wasn’t the best way to say it.
November 13, 2007
John Edwards - The I’m John Edwards. I want health care for everyone. If you don’t give health care to everyone I’m going to be a bastard and take away yours, because I’ll be president, ad
If you don’t think that paraphrasing is correct, watch the video.
In the video he says that if congress, or even his cabinet, don’t pass health care for everyone, he’ll take away theirs, with his new presidential super powers.
A quick scan of the constitution will probably show that Edwards doesn’t have the legal right to just strip health care from every congressman or cabinet member. But hey, at least he’s using his imagination.
Here’s the real deal. All jobs are not created equal. And quite frankly, life is not fair. It’s not all to hard to find a job that provides health care, so long as you have an education. Being a congressman, despite the lack of work they do, is a tough job, that should come with health care.
Health Care is not a right. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are. It’s not the governments job to make sure you’re healthy, it’s yours. The government is here to make sure you’re not getting shot at or blown up by terrorists. Basically to make sure you’re safe and out of harms way. Your own personal health is your own deal.
Does something need to be done with our health care system? Yes. Is creating a brand new huge sector of our government the solution? No. If you want to know why just look at Medicaid, Social Security, spending on the war in Iraq, and Fannie Mae. All have been managed poorly. All are in debt, or will be soon. Are those really the people you want controlling your health? I hope not.
But it doesn’t really matter in the long run because if you don’t agree with me…
…I’ll just take away your health care.
October 27, 2007
Ron Paul - "Fire the casting director," ad
American’s favorite innocent old looking guy, Ron Paul, has come out with his first campaign advertisement in New Hampshire. It contains everything from jabs at the war in Iraq to acting reminiscent of a drivers ed video.
Seriously though when you have lines like,
“Actually I agree with him most of the time, I really do.”
you can’t be taken seriously.
A little later in his video Paul pulls out the good writing with a scenario almost as believable as Sally and Danny deciding whether or not to park in a handicap spot.
“I’m undeclared but I’m going to go republican and vote Ron Paul.”
To which a girl he’s walking with responds
“Oh, I’m gonna vote for him.”
Gee, are ya!
And then he leaves you with something to think about,
“He’s catching on, I’m telling ya.”
You’re telling me wrong. Truth is the nuts that support him are making it seem as though he’s catching on. Truthfully the guy can’t seem to get over the 3% hump. He’s been lingering around there for what seems like an eternity.
But at least he’s got one thing going for him.
He can probably act better than everyone in his campaign ad.
