Saturday, July 31, 2010


Kendrick Meek Takes Jeff Greene To The Disco

Let's be honest, Kendrick Meek has approximately the same chance of being the next US Senator from Florida as I do. (And, believe me, I'm a very appealing candidate.)

But that's not stopping Meek from nailing newly rising opponent Jeff Greene in this digital disco fantasy. Why is it set in a disco? It's Miami, even CSI looks like a disco.

Grade: C

Here's a nicely done attack ad called "He's The Man"


Mike Cox Loves Foghat and a PAG First

If you shamelessly use old pop culture references from your target voters' youth, are you pandering?

Maybe.

But if you manage to get the words "Foghat," "marine" and "attorney general" into the same radio spot, you get a spot on Political Ad Guy blog. Will this work for Mike Cox? Do "Drew and Mike" really want their names in a political spot?

Probably not and probably not.

But all bets are off in this razor thin GOP primary for Michigan governor.

We don't usually run radio spots, but we can't resist this one. Click here to listen to Mike Cox's "Foghat"

Friday, July 30, 2010


Andy Griffith Shills for Medicare

Let me say up front, I like Andy Griffith. (Never nominated for an Emmy for the The Andy Griffith Show, BTW.) More the old stand-up comic Andy Griffith than the Matlock Andy Griffith, but that's a story for another post.

In this ad, Andy tells us how awesome Medicare is and how much awesomer it's going to be thanks to the new healthcare law.

Andy's still got it and he does a nice job, but why not? In the copy they promise the viewer so much free stuff I feel like someone needs to shout, "but wait, there's more!"

Wait, there is more. Click here to see Ol' Andy talk about "1965"

Thursday, July 29, 2010


Basil Marceaux Has Something To Say

We have no idea what it is, but clearly he's committed to spitting it out. A TV news station was trying to do the right thing by having their own little version of the Fairness Doctrine, but just like the real Fairness Doctrine, it don't work so good.

Enjoy the world according to Basil.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Brady vs. Quinn: It's Double Negative

In a special two-fer edition of Political Ad Guy, here are a couple of negative ads stagger out of the bar fight that is the IL Governor race. With the smell of Blago's hair gel still wafting in the air, you'd think this would be an R slam-dunk. Not so. Polls give Brady (R) a slight edge, but the Ds aren't quitting.

The DGA has whipped out the old saw that starts with "What kind of politician..." I didn't hear much after that.

Grade: C

Brady answers with a wacky "Christmas In July" gag with some pretty fun graphics and a couple of clean, believable hits.

Grade: B

Brady wins this round by a nose, but can he absorb enough hits to protect a 3-point lead?

Click here to watch DGA's "What Kind?"
Click here to watch Brady's "Christmas"

Matt Entenza Blames Bush, Thinks Kids Should, Too

Democrats have blamed Bush for everything from the weather to having too many dandelions in their yards. MN Gov candidate Matt Entenza joins the party and brings some kids along with him. He's blaming Bush's No Child Left Behind for standardized tests that kids and teachers hate.

The premise is pretty thin, but the mnemonic of kids ripping the test sheets in half cuts through. Who doesn't want to tear up a test? Especially a test that mean old Mr. Bush handed out. Kinda.

Grade: B

Check out "Rip"

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Harry Reid Hates Big Banks, Loves Cheap iStock Images

Normally I wouldn't even bother to post generic tripe like this Adobe Premier/iMovie mess from the generically-named front group "Americans United For Change," but I'll make an excuse to start a rant.

How many more times am I going to have to look at this same cheap stock shot? "Man In Suit Opens Scary Looking Zero Halliburton Briefcase Full of Cash." C'mon guys, at least click to the next page and find a different briefcase, a different angle, a different country's cash, anything.

Politically speaking, AUFC know old Harry's in trouble so they're probably trying to save their pennies to use in races that are a bit more competitive, but, please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD find another shot.

Here's "Harry Holds Banks Accountable."

Grade: F

Saturday, July 24, 2010


Rob Simmons' Hands Are Sending Me A Secret Message

That's the only explanation for why Rob Simmons is using some choreographed robot hands routine in this spot for his "suspended" Senate campaign.

You may remember Mr. Simmons suspended his US Senate campaign when he was trounced in the state convention. Since getting beat is no reason to quit, Rob Simmons skipped buying a Frappucino and instead used the $4 to create this awful commercial and run a light cable schedule.

Simmons has the audacity to call the spot a PSA. To quote someone who knows much more about political advertising than Rob Simmons does, "You keep using that word...it do not think it means what you think it means."

The best part is the close: "I'm Rob Simmons, I approve this message and I'm still on the ballot."

Click here to share in Rob Simmon's odd new spot, oh sorry, PSA.