McCain Ad - "Stand"

This is a good example of bandwagon jumping and common person, as well as testimonials (whew!). This was aimed at younger people, a body of voters that McCain did not have a good grip on. They talk about different topics that they support McCain in, but most seem like glittering generalities (I stand for Health Care Reform.... ok...what about it?)

While it uses many of the techniques we've seen in class I don't find it an effective ad. Sure, it's colorful and feels young,but we never see the face of the man they stand for, or even his voice approving the young people's endorsement. It doesn't hit any specifics on his policy.

Pretty colors are energetic music are just not enough these days...

2008 Obama Ad - Plan for Change

This ad brings us back from the many smear and negative campaign ads to talk about actual policy. It focuses on what Obama propose to give the middle class and appeals to our wallets. Of course, he is probably card stacking and talks about the things that will help keep money in people's pockets, but he is open about people going to his website and reading the plan. He isn't trying to hide anything. A great link between his tv ads and his internet based campaign efforts.

NRSC Ad - Jim Martin Fact #16

First off I want to say this is a well made ad, graphically. It's dynamic, fun, and just looks dandy, especially for a smear ad.

Here we see card stacking against Jim Martin from Georgia in his ongoing campaign for senate. It also utilizes clips from his own ads, perhaps out of context, to sass us a little.

This is an effective ad that grabs our attention and could easily convince a red state like Georgia not to vote for him.

Free Coffee!

Yum!

I like this ad. It appeals to people's sense of patriotism and caring, and I do think the message carries through. Some might says it's Starbucks bribing people to vote, but I see it more of a reward and an incentive for a people that are disillusioned with their government to take a stand and utilize one of their biggest right to change it.

I am pretty sure this got a good deal of people to booths, just as much as it did to Starbucks shops. Good for the country, but even more so good for their business! As propaganda it serves its purpose well.

Chuck Norris Approved

Talk about celebrity endorsements!

Huckabee has a good sense of humor. Here he uses transfers and testimonials from famous action hero, Chuck Norris, as well as comically reminding us how kick-ass Chuck Norris is. And if someone so kick ass endorses him, shouldn't we?

While there is little talk about policy, this is a refreshing ad that is sure to make people smile. The question is, do we need a funny leader right now? I am sure Huckabee had other ads to contrast this funny one, talking about his policies, and probably others slamming the other candidates (cause we always need those).

Is it effective? It might sway some young voters and get a chuckle from people that will already vote Huckabee, but I doubt this would get him a big advantage over others.

And it didn't..

From the McCain Camp: The One?

Uh... Ok.

An interesting Ad!

It portrays Obama as a new savior and messiah, citing out of context quotes, card stacking and name calling, mocking his campaign as if he were declaring himself THE ONE (dun dun dun).

I really don;t see this ad being effective at all. If anything, I find it racist and slightly offensive. It makes Obama seem like a crazy televangelist who will heal everyone and everything. Some people hae even seen this ad as making OBama into the anti-christ, resorting to fear to keep some very very ignorant people in the McCain camp. Religion, after all, is very important for many voters... even though there was this little thing... Separation of church and state?

The ad closes with a question, "Is he ready to lead?" By this time, I can see very conservative religious people getting their pitchforks ready. But is it effective as an ad? I don't think so. While it may appeal to a small percentage of the McCain camp, I don't see this getting any new voters for him. The message is muddled and never really clear, and it is just a ridiculous attempt to put a stain in the Obama campaign. This definitely hurts McCain more than help him.

A massive scare tactic that's just plain ol' silly... Besides... Didn't another president declare God told him to invade a country?

From the Obama Camp: McCain can't send an email?

The purpose of this ad is to show McCain as being out of touch with the world, as if he were stuck back in the 80's. Half of this ad is probably not as effective as the Obama campaign would think it would be.

While it is humorous to see a young-er McCain juxtaposed to a big 1982 (and a disco ball.... slightly off by a decade or two but...) and to huge cell phones and record players, the ad starts by saying he cannot use a computer or send emails. While I do think this is an important skill to have, especially by a president, this alienates the many, many people in the us who don't really use computers OR send emails. This may rally most people in big cities, but if this ad is trying to bring over McCain supporters to the Obama side, this will not work so well. Many retired people don't use the computer, as well as many people living in rural environments. These people generally support McCain already, and this might just seem as more of the so called Obama "elitism".

The second part of the ad works much better. It deals with the McCain tax cuts for big corporations and barely anything for the working middle class. If there is something we can all agree on, is that the more money we can keep the better.

The ad ends by comparing McCain to Bush, stating they are the same and that we can't afford more of the same. Note the use of spending words such as afford. Most of the campaign this year has been on spending and saving as this is, for many voters, the main concern.

Not a terribly effective ad. They should focus on the economy and not on McCain's tech savvy. I am sure Palin can teach him how to buy clothes online.