I countered that it didn't matter if the opposition saw an ad or not, it's still a broadened reach, even to geographically distant believers. Besides, the body armor spot is all over the net. This week there's even a Rick Santorum version, kinda like the alt ending on a DVD. He ultimately conceded that, "well maybe: ultimately a political ad is supposed to do 2 things: harden support from current supporters and convince non supporters to give you their vote."
I think they can do other things, like dishearten your enemy, but he's basically correct. Turn out your core, get the rest as they make up their minds. Make their minds up for them, if you're good enough.
So why not take advantage of what surely will soon be a floodgate of new campaign ads posting to the web until the spigot shuts off Tuesday, November 7th, and let's see some candidates currently working their cameras off trying to harden and convince.
New Jersey: Fighter?
The son of former Governor Thomas Kean, who later co-chaired the 9/11 Commission and most recently admitted to being advisor on ABC's The Path to 9/11, is running for U.S. Senator against recently appointed incumbent Bob Menendez, Democrat. Republican Tom Kean Jr. appears to be distancing himself from his own (or any) political party, shooting for the image of maverick who's already stood up to special interests. Click on the right column where you see the "Independent Reformer" spot, and decide for yourself if it sticks.
On the other side, Menendez appear a bit older, approaching avuncular, and the ad features real port workers as well as the candidate striding through a few shots, boasting that he led the win against the Bush Administration on foreign ownership of ports. Take a look at "Tough". This match up is all about who's got the most guts -- is there a clear winner?
Pennsylvania: Heartstrings?
Speaking of Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), he took some heat two years ago when it was revealed that his children go to school where he's not a legal resident. They were going to some Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School -- I know, it sounds so L.A. -- and while the original issue was confusing to me, I'm even more confused by however it resolved. Maybe you can figure it out.
In any case, he must have decided or agreed to not only inoculate but get aggressive on the issue, employing his many children (just when you think you've seen the last one...) in a well-produced TV spot. See what you think about "Important Job".
Santorum has his brood, poll-leading Democratic challenger Bob Casey has "Arkecia". She was a 5th grade student of Casey's back when he taught, and I can't imagine a better advocate.
You moved by either of them? In different ways? That either hardened or converted you?
Arizona: Mud
The 1st Congressional District race is between two women, which may not be unique but is certainly the rarest of the three possible chromosome match-ups. Here it's all about that slippery ol' friend, the truth.
Well-known Republican incumbent Heather Wilson, sub-chair of the House Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, went after Democratic challenger and state Attorney General Patricia Madrid early and negative. Here's the ad Wilson ran. If nothing else, her production team should get credit for a great job choosing and matting the unflattering clips of the Attorney General.
Madrid countered here. It's about :20 strong defense, although side-by-side I'm not even sure the two ad narrators are talking about the same cases, capped with a :10 slam back, looking to land a couple blows.
Are either one of these ladies cleaning up in this mudfight?
Aw, don't make me go there.
Plenty of gentlemen candidates are gonna be jumping into the pit before Halloween rolls around.
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