A couple weeks ago, I wrote that Herman Cain's rise in the polls would be a flash in the pan, over before the primaries would even start. I may just be wrong. Cain's poll numbers remain strong, and he's gaining himself an army of supporters and detractors alike. In a time Cain appeared strong, he released this campaign ad, which says little about anything substantial and then cuts away with Cain's campaign advisor smoking a cigarette and Cain giving a creepy smile. This raises a lot more questions than answers for the Cain campaign.
In an article on CBSNews.com, Cain says he had no hidden message in the ad and that it was just "Herman Being Herman." Numerous spoofs have already surfaced, including one by Jon Huntsman's daughters and another one (which I find quite funny) that features a Godfather's Pizza employee smoking marijuana.
In the media, one can't help but think that Herman Cain damaged his reputation with this new ad. With people already doubting the Cain's legitimacy as a candidate, this can only fuel speculation that he doesn't really know how to run a campaign. Liberal pundit Keith Olbermann has already named Cain his "Worst Person in the World" multiple times, and his 999 Plan has come under intense scrutiny. MSNBC has also been highly critical of Cain for his comments on foreign policy, Muslims, his electrified fence plan, and his criticism of the "Occupy Wall Street" protests.
In a Reuters article linked here, Republicans polled were divided between liking or loving the ad and hating it. When your own party is only halfway behind it, there may be a problem. I don't really have a problem with the smoking in the commercial as much as the general pointlessnes of it. Nothing new or important is really said other than that Herman Cain is "unlike any candidate we've ever seen." Well, with this perpelexing ad, his campaign advisor just may be right with the bold statement.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The Best and Worst of 2012 Presidential Ads So Far
If there's one reason that everyone loves presidential elections, it's that we're constantly bombarded with reminders of why a candidate's opponent is a terrorist, a rapist, or an armed robber. Okay, maybe those went a little too far, but you get the point. Who can forget Swift Boat from 2004, which played a part in swaying public opinion on John Kerry by using one of his biggest strengths against him? Oh, the civility. With all that being said, let's take a look at some ads that we've seen so far this year. I've chosen some to critique and grade. I'm having trouble posting thumbnails, so I'll try to get that fixed at some point.
1. Jon Huntsman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biqIuX3uX0U
In this lengthy ad, we see what we assume to be Jon Huntsman riding a dirtbike through the Southwestern desert while some bored announcer talks about all the reasons we need him as president. This ad suffers from a severe lack of excitement, and the majority of people who have watched it probably fell asleep before it was over. It fails to mention any of Huntsman's policy proposals, although it does tout the fact that he understands China and is fluent in Mandarin. For a guy who's hardly generating any attention in the polls, he needed to make a bigger splash than this. I understand that he's trying to play the mature, middle-of-the-road politician, but come on, a dirt bike?
Grade: D
2. Herman Cain
This ad, although it looks like a power point presentation, is much more concise and exciting than the previous one. Cain shows the firepower that has made him a tea party sensation and a sudden contender. He attempts to paint himself as an outsider to a political establishment that is scandal-ridden and solution-free. At 45 seconds, it manages to keep the viewer attached, and the bit about his father chasing his dream (although hard to hear) was a good piece of Republican rhetoric.
Grade: B-/C+
3. Mitt Romney
The seemingly eternal front-runner turns up the cheese factor in this spot, touting his support from well-respected and former-almost candidate Chris Christie. Although Romney does not speak in the ad, Christie articulates most of his stances for him. If you're looking for something new or refreshing here, keep looking. This is about as cliche as it gets, but it does a solid job of getting the point across. Mitt smiles and shakes a lot of hands without losing that impeccable hair, and the background music adds some sentimentality. In all reality, Mitt will probably win, so it won't matter whether his ads suck or not.
Grade: C
4. Rick Perry
The opening scene of this ad appears to be some sort of post-apocalyptic America that has come about as a result of President Obama's policies. Perry's visuals are top-notch, as he cuts to multiple shots of closed-down factories and classic American scenery. If the first half of the ad doesn't convince you that Obama's presidency is the worst thing since the common cold, I don't know what will. He manages to even make Obama's voice sound sinister, which adds a chilling touch. Perry's half of the ad is triumphant, with epic music backing Perry's renewal of commitment to America. As much as I may dislike Perry, this is a damn good ad.
Grade: A-
5. Michele Bachmann
This ad just sucks. Bachmann uses her annoying Minnesota accent to tell us how she's such a Constitutional conservative and stares into the camera with that awkward smile she wears so well. I don't need to spend much time on this one.
Grade: F
6.Ron Paul
Titled "Conviction," this ad paints the same doomed picture as Perry's aforementioned piece. It mentions the previous debt ceiling deals that came out of the Reagan administration as well as the ever-present threat of raising taxes. It highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to deficit reduction and his unwillingness to compromise. Not much new here, but a good illustration of a guy who refuses to shift his positions to the mainstream.
Grade: B-
7. Gary Johnson
Of course, I saved the best for last. This one has no words and a slow piano version of "America, the Beautiful" playing in the background. The fact that a Republican candidate relased this ad is simply amazing. Tolerance. What an idea. The entire premise of this ad is that it's wrong to discriminate against other people based on how they were born. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a Republican presidential candidate say that, I'd probably be homeless and naked. I know, I know, Gary Johnson has no chance of winning the nomination, and many voters have never even heard of the former New Mexico governor. It takes balls to run an ad that makes so much sense, though. He definitely broke the mold with this one, so props to you, Mr. Johnson.
Grade: A+
So, Gary Johnson wins the non-existent prize. Congratulations, Gary, although this probably won't win you many votes.
1. Jon Huntsman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biqIuX3uX0U
In this lengthy ad, we see what we assume to be Jon Huntsman riding a dirtbike through the Southwestern desert while some bored announcer talks about all the reasons we need him as president. This ad suffers from a severe lack of excitement, and the majority of people who have watched it probably fell asleep before it was over. It fails to mention any of Huntsman's policy proposals, although it does tout the fact that he understands China and is fluent in Mandarin. For a guy who's hardly generating any attention in the polls, he needed to make a bigger splash than this. I understand that he's trying to play the mature, middle-of-the-road politician, but come on, a dirt bike?
Grade: D
2. Herman Cain
This ad, although it looks like a power point presentation, is much more concise and exciting than the previous one. Cain shows the firepower that has made him a tea party sensation and a sudden contender. He attempts to paint himself as an outsider to a political establishment that is scandal-ridden and solution-free. At 45 seconds, it manages to keep the viewer attached, and the bit about his father chasing his dream (although hard to hear) was a good piece of Republican rhetoric.
Grade: B-/C+
3. Mitt Romney
The seemingly eternal front-runner turns up the cheese factor in this spot, touting his support from well-respected and former-almost candidate Chris Christie. Although Romney does not speak in the ad, Christie articulates most of his stances for him. If you're looking for something new or refreshing here, keep looking. This is about as cliche as it gets, but it does a solid job of getting the point across. Mitt smiles and shakes a lot of hands without losing that impeccable hair, and the background music adds some sentimentality. In all reality, Mitt will probably win, so it won't matter whether his ads suck or not.
Grade: C
4. Rick Perry
The opening scene of this ad appears to be some sort of post-apocalyptic America that has come about as a result of President Obama's policies. Perry's visuals are top-notch, as he cuts to multiple shots of closed-down factories and classic American scenery. If the first half of the ad doesn't convince you that Obama's presidency is the worst thing since the common cold, I don't know what will. He manages to even make Obama's voice sound sinister, which adds a chilling touch. Perry's half of the ad is triumphant, with epic music backing Perry's renewal of commitment to America. As much as I may dislike Perry, this is a damn good ad.
Grade: A-
5. Michele Bachmann
This ad just sucks. Bachmann uses her annoying Minnesota accent to tell us how she's such a Constitutional conservative and stares into the camera with that awkward smile she wears so well. I don't need to spend much time on this one.
Grade: F
6.Ron Paul
Titled "Conviction," this ad paints the same doomed picture as Perry's aforementioned piece. It mentions the previous debt ceiling deals that came out of the Reagan administration as well as the ever-present threat of raising taxes. It highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to deficit reduction and his unwillingness to compromise. Not much new here, but a good illustration of a guy who refuses to shift his positions to the mainstream.
Grade: B-
7. Gary Johnson
Of course, I saved the best for last. This one has no words and a slow piano version of "America, the Beautiful" playing in the background. The fact that a Republican candidate relased this ad is simply amazing. Tolerance. What an idea. The entire premise of this ad is that it's wrong to discriminate against other people based on how they were born. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a Republican presidential candidate say that, I'd probably be homeless and naked. I know, I know, Gary Johnson has no chance of winning the nomination, and many voters have never even heard of the former New Mexico governor. It takes balls to run an ad that makes so much sense, though. He definitely broke the mold with this one, so props to you, Mr. Johnson.
Grade: A+
So, Gary Johnson wins the non-existent prize. Congratulations, Gary, although this probably won't win you many votes.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Herman Cain's Fifteen Minutes of Fame
In a presidential world where most candidates besides perennial front-runner Mitt Romney (and Rick Santorum, but he shouldn't count) has had his or her week in the spotlight, it appears that it's now Herman Cain's time to shine. Strong debate performances and interest in his "999 Plan" have taken Cain from the long-shot pizza man to Romney's most serious challenger for the 2012 nomination. So, naturally, the question becomes will this last? Or is Cain just another flash in the pan?
The media has given plenty of attention to this rise. In an election where mediaites have most likely been disappointed by the decisions of Sarah Palin and Chris Christie not to run, intriguing stories have been hard to find lately. Just to cement her legacy as a superstar, Palin should have announced her decision in a Lebron James-esque manner by stating,"My talents will remain in Wasilla...er,on my campaign, I mean tour bus." There's only so much you can report on the debates after it's the 15th one, and all the candidates are still saying the same thing.
I got a little off track there, but the point is that I'm getting bored of the Republican primary already. In one poll released today, Cain was shown to be ahead of Romney. Discontment with Perry has risen over his poor debate performance, and no one was really ever excited about Romney in the first place. Cain and Ron Paul supporters have shown more intensity during the campaign, and it will be interesting to see if that ends up making a difference.
With this newfound spotlight, Cain's 999 Plan, his lack of experience in politics, and his failure to produce a foreign policy are sure to come under heavy scrutiny. Even one of his advisors has already admitted that 999, which would set income, corporate, and sales tax all at 9%, is "a theory and not a solution." The plan would raise taxes on low-income families (in Republican euphemism language: "Broaden the tax base") while greatly reducing taxes on the wealthiest individuals in the country.
So will Cain's fame last? No. We've already seen the surges of Perry, an established politician, and Bachmann, an officially-certified whack job, and I can't see what makes Cain's fifteen minutes much different. When it's all said and done, 999 will have more holes in it than a new pair of Abercrombie jeans. Ezra Klein of the Washington Post released a scathing post attacking the proposal today. Republicans will fall back to Mitt Romney because he's the safe, conventional pick. Oh shit, he's Mormon. Maybe Republicans really have evolved, but not much. Being conservative is all about doing what you've done before, so my money's still on Romney, the ultimate boring and conventional candidate.
The media has given plenty of attention to this rise. In an election where mediaites have most likely been disappointed by the decisions of Sarah Palin and Chris Christie not to run, intriguing stories have been hard to find lately. Just to cement her legacy as a superstar, Palin should have announced her decision in a Lebron James-esque manner by stating,"My talents will remain in Wasilla...er,on my campaign, I mean tour bus." There's only so much you can report on the debates after it's the 15th one, and all the candidates are still saying the same thing.
I got a little off track there, but the point is that I'm getting bored of the Republican primary already. In one poll released today, Cain was shown to be ahead of Romney. Discontment with Perry has risen over his poor debate performance, and no one was really ever excited about Romney in the first place. Cain and Ron Paul supporters have shown more intensity during the campaign, and it will be interesting to see if that ends up making a difference.
With this newfound spotlight, Cain's 999 Plan, his lack of experience in politics, and his failure to produce a foreign policy are sure to come under heavy scrutiny. Even one of his advisors has already admitted that 999, which would set income, corporate, and sales tax all at 9%, is "a theory and not a solution." The plan would raise taxes on low-income families (in Republican euphemism language: "Broaden the tax base") while greatly reducing taxes on the wealthiest individuals in the country.
So will Cain's fame last? No. We've already seen the surges of Perry, an established politician, and Bachmann, an officially-certified whack job, and I can't see what makes Cain's fifteen minutes much different. When it's all said and done, 999 will have more holes in it than a new pair of Abercrombie jeans. Ezra Klein of the Washington Post released a scathing post attacking the proposal today. Republicans will fall back to Mitt Romney because he's the safe, conventional pick. Oh shit, he's Mormon. Maybe Republicans really have evolved, but not much. Being conservative is all about doing what you've done before, so my money's still on Romney, the ultimate boring and conventional candidate.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Chris Christie says "No!"... Again
Today we see the shocking news that Chris Christie is not running for president. Man, I was so surprised by this. I mean, how could a guy who's seen as an electable middle-of-the road, fiscal conservative not throw his hat into a race in which voters have changed their preferences more times than Mitt Romney has changed his positions? I'm joking. I wasn't surprised, because Christie has already said NUMEROUS TIMES on television and in print that he would not run for president.
This continued media frenzy has led me to wonder how desperate the mainstream cable outlets are to find a story in the Republican primary. They may occasionally get lucky and have a field day over candidates' past mistakes and scandals, as they did with the the recent controversy over Rick Perry's N-word hunting retreat. However, why it was only confirmed today that Christie is not running is beyond me.
In numerous interviews, Christie has said,"My heart just isn't all the way in it" or "I'm not ready to be president." Yet pundits like Chris Matthews on MSNBC's "Hardball" have continually reported that Christie was "leaving the door open." If that's leaving the door open, these outlets have a serious problem understanding the English language.
Sarah Palin, on the other hand, never really gave a yes or no answer. She drove around the country in a campaign bus talking about what she would do if she was president, and then after "much prayer," decided this just wasn't her year. Mrs. Palin, you not only disappointed your legions of hockey moms and wolf-shooting fur trappers, you let down liberals who knew you had no chance to beat Barack Obama in the general election. Shame on you for not running.
To me, this just seems like lazy news by the mainstream media. Sure, everyone wants Christie to run, because many voters are singing the old Rolling Stones hit "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" when it comes to the current crop of candidates. Christie has declared multiple times already that he has no intention to run.
Plus, with his "maverick" comments defending a Muslim justice and the fact that he governed a fairly liberal East Coast state, many fundamentalist Republicans may have struggled to get behind him, much like Romney. Just let the man breathe for a while; I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of him in 2016 if President Obama gets re-elected.
I hope we see more of him; he strikes me as one of the few genuine guys at the forefront of Republican politics right now. He's honest, has a sense of humor, and his press conferences beat the hell out of Mitt Romney making awkward jokes before diving back into his well-beaten plan to fix the economy by giving corporations more money to sit on in hopes that they'll eventually hire. In fact, that might be exactly why Chris Christie didn't run. He's just too real of a guy.
This continued media frenzy has led me to wonder how desperate the mainstream cable outlets are to find a story in the Republican primary. They may occasionally get lucky and have a field day over candidates' past mistakes and scandals, as they did with the the recent controversy over Rick Perry's N-word hunting retreat. However, why it was only confirmed today that Christie is not running is beyond me.
In numerous interviews, Christie has said,"My heart just isn't all the way in it" or "I'm not ready to be president." Yet pundits like Chris Matthews on MSNBC's "Hardball" have continually reported that Christie was "leaving the door open." If that's leaving the door open, these outlets have a serious problem understanding the English language.
Sarah Palin, on the other hand, never really gave a yes or no answer. She drove around the country in a campaign bus talking about what she would do if she was president, and then after "much prayer," decided this just wasn't her year. Mrs. Palin, you not only disappointed your legions of hockey moms and wolf-shooting fur trappers, you let down liberals who knew you had no chance to beat Barack Obama in the general election. Shame on you for not running.
To me, this just seems like lazy news by the mainstream media. Sure, everyone wants Christie to run, because many voters are singing the old Rolling Stones hit "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" when it comes to the current crop of candidates. Christie has declared multiple times already that he has no intention to run.
Plus, with his "maverick" comments defending a Muslim justice and the fact that he governed a fairly liberal East Coast state, many fundamentalist Republicans may have struggled to get behind him, much like Romney. Just let the man breathe for a while; I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of him in 2016 if President Obama gets re-elected.
I hope we see more of him; he strikes me as one of the few genuine guys at the forefront of Republican politics right now. He's honest, has a sense of humor, and his press conferences beat the hell out of Mitt Romney making awkward jokes before diving back into his well-beaten plan to fix the economy by giving corporations more money to sit on in hopes that they'll eventually hire. In fact, that might be exactly why Chris Christie didn't run. He's just too real of a guy.
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