Mitt Romney Goes By The Book

You're running a campaign and not very many people know who you are, so you run the classic political bio spot. Beefy sounding announcer, strong shots of candidate, glowing statement from wife, swelling music and a truckload of media money.

If he's going to gain ground on McCain and Giuliani this work is going to have to get better.

It's called "Unplugged." We have no idea why.

Joe Kennedy Will Keep You Warm

Former Rep. Joe Kennedy is running an ad for his Citizens Energy Corporation and he's the one taking the heat.

The ad starts off with touching stories of poverty-stricken senior citizens struggling to keep the heat on. Then we hear the good news that these people can get heating oil for 40% off thanks to our "friends" in Venezuela and, of course, Joe Kennedy.

Rep. Connie Mack (R-Florida) has already written Kennedy a letter to complain. See it for yourself here.

Billy Harper Cuts A Mean Light

One candidate is putting a spin on the word race for Kentucky governor. We've seen candidates behind the wheel before, but this is the first time we've seen someone in a race car. The spot "First to Finish" features Harper behind the wheel of his IHRA Pro Mod Viper. Our sources tell us he's quite the hot shoe, too.

The spots from Dresner Wickers are pretty mundane, but we like drag racing so we'll go along. Next time you see Billy ask him how his 60-foot times are holding up.

Check our "First To Finish" here.

Tom Leppert Wants To Be Your Mayor

It's kind of slow out here in political ad land, so we're watching a few larger city mayor's races. The first one up on TV (as far as we know) is Dallas's Tom Leppert.

Nice, simple spot that shows him to be a nice guy who wants to do nice things. Hey, at least it's not another ad from Move On.

Check out Tom's ad here.

MoveOn.org Has Officially Run Out Of Ideas

In their latest commercial escalating the fight against escalation, the folks at MoveOn.org finished concepting before the idea truck arrived. It's a series of official portraits of different senators each with a voice balloon that says "escalate."

Brilliant. (That was meant to be sarcastic, by the way, just so no one takes the quote out of context like in movie ads. "Political Ad Guy says the new Move On spot is 'brilliant!'")

If you're having trouble sleeping, check out the new spot here.

Avaaz.org: Who Short-Sheeted Jacques Chirac's Bed?

It's the political version of the summer doldrums. MoveOn.org (in all its various funded versions) is the only group running anything. Avaaz.org is trying the humorous approach only without the humor.

They show Bush sleeping with a teddy bear, Putin sleeping with a pistol and, for some strange reason, Chirac sleeping with his feet sticking out of the bed.

Somebody please run for something, we can't take much more of this. Check out the Avaaz.org spot here.

VoteVets.org Thought This Was A Good Idea?

This blog is not one to shy away from bad puns, sophomoric jokes or things that are generally in poor taste. But VoteVets.org may have gone too far with this one. In their new spot called "Escalation", they make the case against sending more troops to Iraq.

The spot features veterans holding up their right hands while saying "On one hand, etc." When we get to the point where someone says, "on the other hand" they feature a vet who no longer has his left hand. The man even gestures with his arm in a way that seems to say, "hey, look, get it?" Meant to be shocking, but comes off as a bad joke that demeans both victim and viewer.

See for yourself.

Didn't Move On Used To Be Good At This?

What happened over at moveon.org? They used to bill themselves as the best and brightest creative minds stepping into the political process, etc., etc.

This commercial is a straight up attack against John McCain with as much style as Britney Spears at a Famous Footwear half off sale. Literally, it looks like someone's mom got iMovie for Christmas and this is the first thing she made.

Awful. Watch it here. If you can stand it.

Wal-Mart Issues A Big "Nuh-uh"

After years of people abusing Wal-Mart about everything from low pay and no health benefits to running local stores out of business, Wal-Mart finally strikes back. The spot appears to be an in-house effort (Wal-Mart is without an ad agency right now after their highly publicized ad agency search fiasco) talking about jobs and health benefits.

And, from the Shocking But True Department, the ad features lots of Americana shots of happy people.

Watch the spot here.

Duncan Hunter Has A Nice Bookcase

It's pretty slim pickin's in the world of political advertising this time of year. Duncan Hunter's Peace Through Strength PAC has a couple of new ads out. If the message is that important (and it sounds like it is) why wrap it up in a $1.98 commercial? In front of a bookcase? With the Congressman HOLDING a photo of a submarine?

Somewhere a car dealer didn't get his spot done last week.

Go to the site here.

Election Day! (Which Means It's Finally Over)

A quick note to everyone who stopped by for a little snarky advertising critique.

If you're in the business, get off your butt and make some better ads next time.

If you aren't in the business, you had to deal with some rough advertising this year.

Either way, thanks for dropping by and spending a little time with our fun and vocal community. We'll be back for the off year elections and the beginnings of the presidential push. This ought to be fun.

Now get out there and vote.

Mike Bouchard Gets Some Good Advice

Bringing back his daughter (from one of the most popular spots in the campaign), Mike Bouchard sums it all up in this closer from Scott Howell & Co.

Things have been ugly this cycle, nice to see someone finish with a smile.

Here's "Closer."

Protect Marriage Arizona Did Their Own Commercial

Just because you can make a TV commercial in iMovie doesn't mean you should. Protect Marriage Arizona has thrown everything but the kitchen sink (including an endorsement from Sen. McCain) into this spot and then just left it there.

The shots are trite, the effects just horrible and the message seems a bit less than focused.

At least it's almost election day.

John Eichelberger Looks Like The Big Time

State Senate race advertising is usually a competition with the local car dealership to see who can produce the most annoying commercial.

John Eichelberger has changed that. It's hard to see what the production values look like, but the message is strong, concepts are good, the edits tight and the guy's not bad on camera. Not bad at all.

Hope he wins. Check out his GOTV closer spot.

Asa Hutchinson Has His Hands Full

Asa Hutchinson finishes strong comparing running the state of Arkansas to wrangling his grandkids.

In a year packed with mean, negative advertising, it's nice to see someone finish with a smile.

Check out "Grandkids."

Vote Vets Makes My Head Hurt

In their latest spot, VoteVets.org is saying that we are less safe and have more terrorism because we're in Iraq. Which is just the exact opposite of the Republican message.

The way it's presented -- in a simple, evidence-free format -- has the same effect you got in the 5th grade when you said, "I know you are, but what am I?"

View "Because of Iraq."

Michael Steele Does It Again

I know, I know, this is turning into the Michael Steele advertising blog. But in this spot, the Steele people stick one of Cardin's spots right back in his face...but they do it with style.

Hats off for the music choice.

Bill Ritter Hits The Cute Overload

Cuteness is a dangerous weapon. Used sparingly it can be devastating, but it's tempting to go too far.

We'll give Laugens Hamburger an "A" for trying to do something different, but this one didn't quite get there. And the wrap-up line of "Next year, I'm gonna be GOVERNOR Bill Ritter" is, well, ugh.

Check out "Halloween."

DSCC Ohio Senate: These People Aren't Happy

In the ad, "Happy," the DSCC juxtaposes the children's song "If You're Happy And You Know It" with pictures of Ohioans who are clearly not happy.

Typically, Grunwald Communications is a concept-free zone, but this spot has a nice idea. Graphics are awful.

Claire McCaskill Flirts With Copyright Law

Okay, so the commercial called "94" is just another blah, blah, blah attack ad.

Except for one thing.

The music track is so close to the 60's hit "So Happy Together" that it's spooky. Or changed just barely enough to be legal. What's the point of running that risk for blah, blah, blah attack ad?

Listen for yourself.