New Dem Radio Ad Has Bush Impersonator Thanking Local Republicans
The Dems really are serious about tying Congressional Republicans to President Bush -- so serious, in fact, that their newest radio ad, which will run against GOP incumbents across the country, features a Bush impersonator pretending to leave voicemails with incumbent House GOPers.
"I guess that's why they call us the Grand Oil Party. Heh, heh, heh," the impersonator says, mocking Bush's sarcastic giggle. "Seriously, _______, I know I can always count on you."
In a sign that the Democrats are determined to expand the playing field in a big way this year, the ad will air against Republican incumbents in some very tough districts for Democrats: Jean Schmidt of Ohio, Virgil Goode of Virginia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, and many more.
Comments (33)
Hmmmm. I sense that wingnut heads are exploding right about now.
You can make an ad with an impersonator? I didn't know that.
June 30, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't seem like it'd be legal, does it?
June 30, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
This strikes me as terribly stupid.
June 30, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, why? I actually thought it was somewhat funny and effective, but it could be my far left bias. Why do you think its stupid?
June 30, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno. It just strikes me as very childish and stupid. I can't really put it into words, it's more of just a gut reaction to it. If the politician in question has strong ties to Bush, then lay them out. But using a Bush impersonator saying "I can always count on you" comes off as somewhat dishonest to me.
June 30, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Were you also impressed by the incisive wit of "General Betray-Us"?
June 30, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope, I didn't like that one. I thought that one was a huge mistake and blew up in the dems face. I did like the patty duke comparison ad by moveon though. I thought that was very funny.
June 30, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, maybe your right. The more I think about it, it might be better to get the same point across with an announcer giving a statement saying virtually the same thing.
June 30, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oops. Here ya go.
I agree.
The copy and substance is good, but I think the (rather poor) impersonator takes away from the message.
June 30, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, you are right once again. Middle america would be put off by the add and find it childish. We agree.
June 30, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and please tell me it's fucking Frank Caliendo...
June 30, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or terribly effective?
Karma for Virgil Goode, one of the peddlers of the "China is drilling off the coast of Florida" claim. Sorry!
June 30, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bwahaha. Good stuff.
June 30, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
clever.
although, i do fear it could open a pandora's box of "impersonators".
i wouldn't put it past the republicans to get an obama impersonator to burn an american flag while reading the koran.
June 30, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's sort of what I was thinking.
What's to stop someone from pulling out an Obama impersonator and have him say "God Damn America" over and over again? It seems like it crosses a line.
June 30, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately nothing and there is nothing preventing them from claiming that obama attests to that statement by a third party, which they are doing.
June 30, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree.
The copy and substance is good, but I think the (rather poor) impersonator takes away from the message.
June 30, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
the Repubs already did the same thing.
Remember what they did with Tip Oneill?
With the limousine around the Capitol?
That was Gingrich and his goons.
Turn about is fair play.
June 30, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't remember. Tip O'Neill? Gingrich and O'Neill overlapped? I didn't think they did.
June 30, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
In ushering in their Frosh republican house members, if u recall, the RNC ran ADS about the corrupt Dems riding around Limo's during Reagans admin.
June 30, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't know that Gingrich was in the House in 1978.
I wasn't paying all that much attention to politics then.
Thanks for the insights.
June 30, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you recall he (The Newt) was a House member from 1978...And kept using 1 minute speeches to throw verbal bombs at the leadership...Which started the corrosive atmosphere in the house.
June 30, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely nailed it.
Gingrich did more to bring down the level of political discourse to the sewer than any other person I can think of, bar none.
Others nmay have exceeded his tripe, but he was the one who made it "fashionable" for Repubs to do it.
June 30, 2008 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm just waiting for the Pinnochio AD.
Where Mc Juke Box keeps flipping and his nose gets longer.
Yeah I can picture it now...
Maybe not his nose, maybe his other member...
I am sure Cindy would prefer that.
June 30, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember this?
[edit] Republicans target O'Neill in 1980
Republicans made O'Neill a target of their 1980 campaign, portraying him as a washed-up old politician with liberal ideas. The National Republican Congressional Committee produced a television commercial that had an actor who resembled O'Neill laughing off warnings that his vehicle was low on fuel, until the vehicle finally ground to a halt. The announcer then proclaimed, "The Democrats have run out of gas." Although the Republicans made significant gains in the House in 1980, coinciding with the election of Republican Ronald Reagan, similar efforts to target O'Neill in the 1982 elections backfired and the Democrats remained firmly in control of the House for more than a decade.
June 30, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I enjoyed it. I've heard better impersonations though.
June 30, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The best campaign tactic for any Democrat this election cycle is to pin his or her opponent to Bush - irrevocably.
June 30, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happiness is . . .
June 30, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too da Loo...Goin fishing.
June 30, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just arrived at Honikahakaha Park.
Here are the rules for fishing in Hawaii:
1. have pole
2. No Hooks
3. Heavy lead on leader
3a Throw line out without hook and sit back.
4. Cooler full of ice
5. Beer on top of ice
6. Folding Chair
7. Hibachi (charcoal brazier) for PUPU's
8. On the way home, stop at the Grocwery Store and Buy Fresh Fish!
9. Upon arrival announce you catch.
This WIFI stuff is good!
June 30, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
if the impersonator was good, then this would be bad.
June 30, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It IS childish, but I think it is also effective. Tasteless and effective in the same way gay-marriage ballot initiatives were effective in 2004.
In 04, if you weren't "for-bush" you were a gay-lover. In 08, these ads help drive home the point that if you are for the Republican you are a Bush-lover.
July 1, 2008 2:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
minor quibble...though the OH 2nd is a tough district for Democrats in general, the massively unpopular Jean Schmidt won her election by only about 2900 votes (out of more than 225,00 cast). This seat is completely in play, and is actually a fairly likely pickup.
July 1, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink