Commercial Politics

Oh no!  My last haven away from election retoric has been compromised...why Peterman, why?!?!

Politicians should share their values in town hall meetings and debates and news interviews...not in hollywood produced smear commericals.  They should stand on what they believe in and what they have accomplished and not what the other guy did or didn't do.  I think smear campaigns are cowardly and show a total lack of integrity and responsibility to the pubic.

The finger pointing must stop.

negative ads are so disrespectful and to me, carry a message that the sender has no ethics or honor, much less respect for himself/herself.   I often believe that the sender is really reflecting the path he/she would take.  They are childish and provide no helpful information except that the sender/maker hasn't matured beyond grade school.

Where have we had a decent discussion of what candidates would do to improve anything?   Why must innuendo and "gotcha" be promoted?

I seriously avoid watching television or listening to commercial radio in an attempt to keep my blood pressure stable.  I pick and choose from the Internet menu and I even screen my phone calls!  There are no compelling or valuable messages in the advertising in this campaign; instead I find distortions, outright lies repeated over and over and attempts to be "cute".   Politicians are marketed - and I am not buying.

Nachista;  I agree with your sentiments on the Political crapola, but at least this is an intelligent crewe ... and I respect everyone's Right to think and act differently from me, and to be different from me ... I just enjoy the other comments and conversations so much more ... As a matter of fact, I got a good laugh out of your post that spoke of how your Mom reacted to all the cars ... Seems folks the world over react the very same way ... Word for word everything you mentioned was said by someone in the family, including the threat to open a Car Lot ... I have to admit that my Collecting is probably way beyond reason, and each time I swear that my latest Iron is my last, I run across another magnificient machine that I just can't stand to see rusting to death ... Thanks for telling us about your Dad, and All the Best to you .......

Ah yes....how politics should be versus how they are. Karl Rove was wildly successful in the "divide and conquer" strategy. Remember the 2004 election? While the country was enmeshed in real-time issues (Iraq, Iran, domestic deficit-spending, etc.) he managed to turn the debate to hot-button topics like abortion and gay-marriage. Why is it that these things always come up duting elections? 

Does anyone think we are debating issues this time around? Not if the handlers have anything to do with it....

The guiding mantra, when trying to influence folks: 'Be afraid... VERY afraid!'  And use lies, distortions, smear and personal attacks. But above all, create fear!  Humans do not operate based on evaluations -- they use them to justify their actions.  Blame 'the others' for all the problems and you can create a 'movement' which will sweep up all the pained, anxious, and resentful folks.

For those who wonder and seek to understand (and don't give a fig about 'influencing' others) I most highly recommend a (mostly forgotten) political science classic: 'The Origins of Totalitarianism' by Hannah Arendt.  And then there is George Orwell's '1984'.  

I will tread on dangerous ground and say that when I listened to Rudi Giuliani and Sarah Palin speaking to their Nuremberg Rally (aka 'a convention') I thought of the film version of 1984 (featuring the last performance -- and a great one) by Richard Burton.  The central theme in of 1984?  Is human nature ultimately and totally malleable, or is there a such thing as 'human nature'.  Until genetic engineering allows us to tinker with the human animal's basics, it seems that (optimistic note!) once fear subsides, reason and collegiality raise their head. -- The moral for wannabee 'leaders'?  Keep em in fear.  And keep repeating to them: 'Be afraid... VERY afraid!'

Sorry I've been away.  There will be more of that as I am preparing my newsletter articles and the deadline's this Friday.  But I stopped in today just to see how things are so I figured I'd comment:

I definitely feel more positivity is crucial.  I'm sick and tired of hearing why I should vote for one candidate because the other one is worse.  This really reached a head with the campaign of John Kerry whose only recommending feature was that he's not George Bush.  Let's vote for someone, not merely against them.

If I were Obama's advertising consultant, I would advise him to show the positive attributes of his most frequently decried traits.  I have stated before that we have seen for many years the kind of mess that highly experienced, shrewd politicians can make.  A little inexperience and naivete might be just what we need to break the rhythm.  I like the fact that he isn't super-experienced and might actually have a bit of that Jimmy Stewart faith in the idea of the country, untainted by years of jaded Washington ball-playing.

By a similar token, I have also stated before that I feel the positive aspects of Obama's association with the rather crass Rev. Wright could be advertised to his advantage.  My understanding is that Senator Obama had often heard Rev. Wright preach political statements from the pulpit with which he disagreed. Yet, he supported both his pastor and his church because he gave Wright a lot of credit for converting him to Christianity in the first place. The reflects a sense of loyalty, consistency, tolerance, a willingness to give credit where it is due, and to put his money where his mouth is. ALL of these are traits I imagine most of us would like to see in a president.

Have always secretly wanted to be a political strategist. Am not really that engaged by politics, as a game, but I love strategy. Hence the love of marketing.

Issues and morals aside, because, honestly, if I believe in something, I'll fight pretty dirty for it. My hypocrisy knows no bounds. Again, hence the marketing career.

I obviously HAVE beliefs and morals, etc, but LEAVE THEM AT HOME in a fight. Use them to PICK your fight, and then come out swinging. But never let it look like you have to. So simple.  

This is what I would tell my candidate. If I EVER, EVER hear you MENTION the other dude's name with anything other than mild curiosity or slight boredom, EVER, I'm outta here. Maybe even with amusement. Something like, "Oh him? Is he still at it? That's sweet."

Any press is still press. Are there no good WASPS amongst them? Do they not know the tactic of pretending that the 'opponent' is not important enough to mention?

Seriously people. I keep hearing Obama saying things like this, "McCain says X, and I say Y to that."

Obama, man, you have strategized your way into the defensive. Defensive is weak and it is REACTIVE. Plain and simple. Even if the other person says something stupid. Even if you're just dying to shoot holes in it, DO NOT. Just speak to the smarter option you are offering without QUOTING YOUR OPPONENT. People will make the connection on their own. But if you do it, you have ACKNOWLEDGED competition. Your goal should be to create the elusion that you don't feel any competition. 

Do you hear Nike buying print ads or superbowl spots to trash Reebok? But you do see Reebok trashing Nike. Who do you think is number one? Why do you think that is? 

People, people.  

Did I say 'elusion' instead of 'illusion?' Apparently, when I become a political strategist, I should hire my own editor. I could be like Mr. Pitt and make her fetch me socks and mechanical pencils.

Although, I sort of like the double play on the word in this instance. Hmmmm. . . 

Looks like everyone  here seems to dislike negative campaigning and we are all in favor of candidates sharing their goals, accomplishments, and beliefs in a positive way.  See it just takes a little common sense to figure that out, too bad common sense isn't so common.

Quite frankly I don't like either candidate because I've seen too many attack ads approved by both sides.  I find that behavior unfitting for our future President and disrespectful to the office and the American People.

You know what I would like to see?  I would like the Presidential hopefuls to choose not only their running mate but their whole cabinet before the election.  That way we would have a better understanding of how their administration is going to be.  Its not just the President that shapes his term in office, it is the group of people he surrounds himself with.

Side note:

Last night I was helping my mom pick pears and we started talking about the trip to Italy that they have planned.  Out of the blue my mom says "That J. Peterman catalog, they should run travel tours to all those places they talk about.  Yeah, with tour guides who tell stories like they have in the magazines."

It made me laugh.

Why do I feel like I'm having Deja Vu with the Daisy ad reference & this topic?  Maybe just the Daisy ad was referenced & the topic was different?....

I hate negative ads, being in the TV world I just plain hate political advertising local, statewide or national. It puts our buying advertisers, AE's & Traffic Coordinators in a tough spots in order to get all the commercials for the "real" busineeses on the air. If you are not familiar with political advertising laws the deal is that the politicians spot has to be the lowest paid spot in that break. Politicians get to buy advertising on a sliding scale already so that means that the station have to sell their prime air times for less than normal. It really hits the budget & the commissions for a lot of the AE's.   It's a headache I don't wish on my worste enemy & living in a swing state for the last 2 elections made it even worse.... I also don't think its right, I feel if you want to advertise your product whatever it may be that you pay the going rate of that station for that time period. 

Ads for negative campaigns the reason why WI has Senator Russ Feingold is because the 2 gentleman actually running for the spot slung so much mud that people here voted for the 3rd option & the guy who was not bad mouthing the other 2.  I still remember one of his commercials for the primary was him sitting a chair & mud being thrown on him form both sides of the screen. The statement made was while the other guys are busy slugging mud I am working on solutions for the people of WI. Guess what he won. It was a quirky campaign but it worked.  Of course most us here in WI fell for the I'll only serve 2 terms promise from him also....... (personally not a big fan of his anymore)  But it really was a GREAT way for him to get the job....  

I can't handle these attacks anymore though I'm with Belleball when its all i can do to tune out the ads just to keep my blood pressure down.   

I know, we should start a write in campaign to elect James Earl Jones for President.  His voice could be our secret weapon...who can say no to Darth Vadar?

Wasn't it Teddy Roosevelt who once said something about speaking softly but carry a big stick?  This immediately comes to my mind when the subject of politics pops up.  This or any election in my simplistic opinion is ususally a poor version of russian roulette.  There is always mud-slinging and it's never one sided.  Unfortunately, it is the way of the world.  My famiy was always involved in small town and state politics then my brother went on to higher ground but I personally have always despised the whole process.  I don't mean to sound harsh but in most instances a candidate starts out with the best of intentions and somehow the political system manages to taint them.  Sad...but true.       

 negative ads are objectionable,and they work.  they work because our electorate ,basicly ignorant.  when the voters don't know who their own elected officials are,in many cases, who the other district's and other state's officials are in most cases.  when the voters can't understand a simple ballot, and can't manage to get positive identification, they have a hard time understanding the "issues", issues ads have little effect.  Thus negative ads are the only way to communicate with such voters.

television charges for ads by the minute.  how many "issues" can be covered in an affordable number of minutes?  how many voters have an attention span long enough, or knowledge enough about "the economy", "national defense","foriegn policy",or even "health care" to get anything meaningful from a short 1minute ad?

negative ads are composed by campaign workers, and don't neccessarily reflect the views of the candidates.  these "pros" know that "taking the high road", more often than not is a losing proposition.  the time to take the high road is after you win.  sadly enough, too few winners do that.

MackDaddy,

I do have to say, I often wonder what type of person you would have to be to want to be president. Does that make sense? It's not a question of harsh judgement, but sincere curiosity.

There's a film on Derrida in which the interviewer asks him what he would want to know about the ancient philosophers. He answers, "More about their sex lives."

I interpret that as a curiosity about their human-ness.

What do we know about these candidates as people? Would that help or hurt a campaign. The mudslinging, ironically, is an attempt to dig deeper into that question. Maybe a good counter tactic would be for a candidate to advertise their carnal side, in a positive light.

For example.

Fade in on int. of McCain's home. He's in his pajamas, hopefully with action figures on them, and he's eating Ben and Jerry's, from the carton. If I was his political advisor, I would insist that the flavor be Chunky Monkey. It's the best flavor. Everyone knows that.

I would never allow for Chubby Hubby, a close second to Chunky Monkey, because the intonations are a bit too homo-social for a Republican. Though that might be smart. Hmmm.

Anyway. Really. What do we know? And, is there anything to know? Are they real people Why do these men/women not want to punch a clock and play? Is that our underlying problem with our leaders.

I am organizing a movie night, for the girls, this Friday, to go see The Women. I think McCain should come. In his pajamas. I think he should hurl sticky candy at the screen and yell foul words at the Eva Mendes' character.

That would be a great ad.

Sorry. Feeling silly today. 

Actually most station now charge by the second ~ Most ads are only 30 seconds long... 60 second ads are astronomically priced & take up too many resources to produce & air....

Ads are averaged out in time spaces :15's, :30's, & :60's  the :5 second ads are really not even considered ads at all..... An affordable number of minutes for political advertising is WAY less then the average rate given to a local bussiness man political season or not.  That's why you can see 2 McCain or Obama ads in one break.  They are not paying even half as much as the real world advertisers are for any ads.   

Missive:  You are a hoot!  But you got me giggling really hard when you said McCain could have pajamas on that has action figures on them... hell... I just hope he has pajamas on!  Oh no... is that mud-slinging? 

My knee jerk reaction to accepting any role in politics in today's political climate would be "not in my wildest dreams". But if I am going to climb down the ladder both socially and morally my strategy would be simple:

Become the first candidate to choose the high road and have the courage and commitment to follow that road to the end. You may not win, but you will become a legend.

Always tell the truth ‘cos "if you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said". I think Jesse Ventura, the former Independent governor of Minnesota said that in his campaign.

Create a vision that is backed by a plan but do not promise anything that isn't truly doable.

If you have any skeletons in your closet then set them free before someone else does and a) apologize if you should, and/or b) relate the lessons you have learned from your mistakes and demonstrate how you grown because of them.

Be strong, not arrogant.

or, .... If becoming a legend isn't your dream, just go for the throat but be subtle about it. Just don't be the first one to do it.

p.s., Happy "B"day Miss Ive

Miss Ive ~ DO me a HUGE FAVOR & PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT SEE THAT FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rent the Original 1939 version or see if your Library has the PBS version done in 2002 with Cynthia Nixon as Mary Haines,  Jennifer Tilly as Crystal Allen, Kristen Johnson as Sylvie Fowler, Jennifer Coolridge as Edith Potter.......It's true to real version plus it uses the original script that Luce produced on Braadway in the 30's. Were as the 1939 film had to be cleaned up due to the hayes code the film was re-worke dby Anita Loos to get it the Catholic Decency stamp.

Please do not give credence to the blasphemous "remake" of Ms. Luce's masterpeice that does not need to be updated by anymeans especially not with Eva playing the Crawford role? (what kind of casting is that?)  

O.K. I admit it I am the president of the negative ad campaign against this film.... 

Poor Mr. George Cukor I have been hearing him turning in his grave for months now.......

This whole strategy makes me so crazy, I'm totally on a news fast during the political madness season.  Negative ads so demean their authors. Or, as my dad would say, "When Peter talks about Paul, you learn more about Peter than you do about Paul".   Each of us, candidate or not, has things and ideas that can be attacked.  Pit Bull politics teach us nothing and encourage voters to act emotionally...grrrr...(Oh wait, do you think I'm responding emotionally?)

MackDaddy,

I was giggling, too.

Rings90,

I fell in love with the Crawford version. I get your emphatic plea. Really.

The outing is more about tearing it up with My Women, at this crazy time.

It's a wonderful question the movie asks. Really.

And applies to today's discussion.

When do you throw stupid pride out the window and just go after what you really want? And which is braver? 

PeterLake,

Thanks!!! So far, great day. Good seeing you all. The job hunt can wait. 

MissIve, what about Phish Food...what about New York Brownie?  I know let's start our own campaign, a campaign to bring back our favorite Ben and Jerry's flavors that are no longer produced.  I vote for Apple Crumble.

Hey MissIve,

I heard the remake of The Women was pregnant with  it's next door neighbor's child during filming...  I wouldn't know, but I did enjoy the original. YOu'll love the fashion show sequence.

Jungle red, yeah right. 

How about Born Yesterday and Wag the Dog ?

A little known fact ( or maybe not so little known- was it in some bio?) When Lee Atwater was a teenager, he went to see James Brown perform. The Godfather of Soul invited him onto the stage to dance- not as a future political sniper, not even as a particularly good dancer, just as some white kid who was having a really good time. But we can all notice that didn't stop Atwater from becoming Karl Rove's inspiration and The Man Who Made Willie Horton Famous.

The very best negative campaigns seem to be the ones launched preemptively by one's own campaign- creating a hige backlash against the other side, who for once are innocent. The more they deny, the more we KNOW they did it...

Poe's detective, M. Dupin (?) tells the story of the boys playing "guess which hand" The smart one figures his opponenet has switched hands. The really smart one figures  the other one will expect a switch.

Post modern voters and campaigners have more layers of figuring back and forth than a Napoleon Supreme on the Champs elysees. Or the layers of irony in a sophomore's creative writing exercise... 

For all of their transparent bias, I still find NPR to be reliable and worthwhile- and relatively free of commercials ( except for indy movies and Medtronic, whatever they do...) I have made up my mind- please don't attempt to confuse me with the facts.

Trask,

No, you're right. She was totally pregnant with her neighbor's baby and I heard she sold it for ratings. Total tramp.

Nachista!

I love you, girl. You are coming over tonight for my birthday. It's girls' night. You can bring all your favorite flavors. We'll work on the campaign. And all of our other 'issues.' Thanks for making me smile today.

From a priest (Episcopal that is)

Thanks be to God for NPR

Hugh+

Score!  Thanks Ive, I was just thinking birthday cake would make this day better.  Birthday cake makes everyday better.  So should I make carmel soaked fudge cake covered in whipped cream and toffee bits or should I make vanilla cream caked covered in strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries and powdered sugar?

I second Fr. Hugh's quote...NPR is a life line.

Nover was a fan of Chunk Monkey (bananas YUCK) & Chubby Hubby was the worst flavor I EVER tasted, I think its the ONLY flavor of B&J's that I did not finish eating.  Which is rare.  I miss the Chocolate Raspberry Truffle though & LOVE the Vermonty Python....

Please Miss IVe I'm begging you to see something different & more engaging to real female empowement go do a wine tasting, watch the "real version, see "houseBunny instead .... Alright I know, I know... I now rest my case I promise.....

I can make promises that I would buy 2 flats of Chocolate Rasberry Truffle if it would help bring it back to the store shelves.  I mean of course except when it gets back on the store shelves & buying  flats of Ice Cream is not really something I can do because where would I store it all? & with the raising of prices of everything how could I REALLY afford to do it?....I mean I'm sure my DH would TOTALLY veto the idea of having to store 2 flats in our freezer so how can I be held to this promise? My freezer space seems to be tied up by my Husbands Veto... Sorry folks.  ( but at least I only promised to buy 2 flats unlike my opponet who said they would buy 5 for their flavor & never did so either...)

Okay Peterman, am sorry I have derailed the subject yet again. But Ben and Jerry's is really important.

And, in true strategist form, I will use your own words to defend my actions:

"I'll lay out some thoughts, you join in, points of view will accumulate and alter, new topics of interest will emerge... "

So back to the ice cream. And the movies.

Rings90.

You win. I will go see the Coen Bros. movie. Really wanted to anyway. Love McDormand. But Pitt is a bit of a pretty boy.

And I never tried Chocolate Rasberry Truffle. Wha? 

Nachista,

Are you serious? I said GIRLS' night. As in, bring both!!!! DEE-licious.

Back to the campaign. Have we not mentioned J. Peterman for president?

Yeah:

Peterman for President

We'll have the best dressed president in the world.

I have a batch of vanilla ice cream mixed up and in the fridge ready for the ice cream maker.  My husband promised he was going to stop and get a bag of ice on his way home from work so we could have it tonight.  I'll bring that too with the fresh Brigham City peaches I picked up over the weekend.  And tortilla and salsa, just helped mom bottle salsa, peaches, beans, corn, grape juice, and the first batch of pears.  Nothing better than fresh made salsa with home made torillas.

Can you tell its lunch time here?  I'm starving.

If I run for President my platform will mostly revovle around good food.  I don't think I'll make it very far but my fundraising parties will be tasty.

Rings90 and Nachista,

Just got your notes at my site. Thanks so much. Really loving the girls in my life right now.

About the political commercial-

Rings90 do you work in broadcast?

You know what I'm wondering? Who DOES produce the campaign spots? I can't believe I don't know that.

I assume it's not Crispin Porter & Bogusky or Saatchi and Saatchi, but maybe it should be.

And maybe if they can't go with them for legal reasons, maybe they should contract one of the masterminds on a 'consulting' basis. 

Isn't a candidate a brand? Does that bother people when I say that? But isn't it?

Read this great article. Where was it? Ad Age? Creativity? The New Yorker? People Magazine? (kidding—but only half—they are ALWAYS spot on about their stories—uncanny.)

Anyway, it was about how the Reagan era officially solidified the Republican party as a brand. People became brand loyal. They became 'fans' and they were sent pins and pics of Ronny, etc. It was a famous ad strategist, no marketing strategist who did it. He was a democrat, but had married a girl whose father worked for Reagan. Before that, they claim that people were less party loyal. Analysts claim that it was that campaign that really divided the country down the partisan lines.  GOD. I can't remember where I read that. Sorry.

Pretty interesting.

But, seriously, why aren't there any good, creative ads for such an important brand race? 

Now I have to know. 

I'll muster a theory. I think the crux resides in 'sense of humor.' Ever hang out with ad guys? On the creative side, not the account side. VERY FUNNY. And, pretty young. There's a reason for that. They have their hands on the pulse of society, but they don't take it too seriously. And that is so important. Going back to that 'WASPy' disposition of casual interest. It gives the impression of confidence.

Ever look at a political strategist? Ever hear how seriously they take themselves? Ever hear how seldom they self-deprecate? They scream 'fragile ego.' 

Obama, McCain, can I just tell you how cheap you could hire these young creatives? Pennies.

JUST DO IT.

And then, if you're lucky, people will be more interested in talking about you than their favorite brand of Ben & Jerry's. Now that's a brand success story.

Heard all about it on NPR! Oh, Nantucket Nectars, too. That's a good story.

Peterman, speaking of good brand stories, I think you should listen to Nachista's mom.

Really.

Only not real tours. Virtual tours. Mini-sites off of your commerce site. Little clips of real people in your clothing or using your pots, etc.—All narrated in Peterman-ease. An answer back to the promise made of the adventure the item is to bring into their lives.

And I think you should let me do it so that I can throw away my stupid cover letter.

After all, it IS my birthday. 

PETERLAKE SAID HAPPY B DAY TO MISSIVE.  DID I MISSIVE (PUN) SOMETHING IMPORTANT? IF IT IS YOUR B-DAY...LET ME KNOW. 

Also in response to Missive about who would want to be President?  I believe that it either takes a real masochist AND/OR a very greedy person to even consider it.  I love my country but no amount of perks could persuade me to take the office.  I have a real hard time believing that anyone sincerely wants to help our country and our people.  There has to be an underlying motivation lurking in the dark.  I guess that's why we all try to mask it with humor...good or bad!  

I wonder what will happen when The Love Boat runs into The Big Cat 5 Hurricane after the partygoers onboard elect Mr and Mrs Congeniality to be captain and chief officer...

Am I the only one who feels he's on a ship headed for disaster?  

As a thinking person, I guess I should have another glass of champagne and make one more visit to the buffet -- and then go back to reading my tattered and torn copy of Camus' 'The Plague' (  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plague ) .

Bon voyage, S.S. America!  

MackDaddy!!!

Only you would jest with a pun that totally nailed the derivative of my monicker: missive.

Too funny. And yes, it is my birthday. I plastered it, ever so subtly all over my site, along with some Peterman jewels and perfume. Also, along with a dress from the 'lesser J.,' but I already owned it and can't bring myself to burn it. Sorry.

So, girl, I think I should come see you and we should do the wineries today. Yes?

[quick scan, homework, bleh]
Advertising should be positive, you need a reason to vote for one over the other, it's not just the lesser of two evils, it's who do you want to LEAD THE FREE WORLD.
A convincing ad for the modern times;
"Obama. He's black; vote for him or you will get jacked."
[It's a joke. I love Obama, my friend made me a "Can you smell what Barack is cooking?" shirt today. No more internet for me, I have to finish an Earth and Environmental lab to the best of my abilities. I envy you people.]

And Happy Birthday MissIve!
Everyone I know seems to have birthdays this/next month.

Seriously.
Homework.
Now.

OK...HERE IS MY BIRTHDAY SONG TO YOU: 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MISSIVE...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. 

2ND VERSE: 

SHE'S GONNA GET SOME TONIGHT, SHE'S GONNA GET SOME TONIGHT, SHE'S GONNA GET SOME... CAKE AND ICE CREAM, SHE'S GONNA GET SOME TONIGHT!  HA! HA! FOOLED YA!

I AM HEADED TO CHRISMANS WINERY WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS...WE WILL TOAST YOUR BIRTHDAY (AT LEAST ONCE)!!!!!!  YOUR BUDDY!

MissIve, here is your virtual birthday gift from me

http://jpeterman.com/product~cat~110205~sku~WBZ%203079.asp

For all those job interviews you'll be going on.

“The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.”

~ E. Joseph Cossman

MissIve ~ I owe you BIG,HUGE, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Can't wait to see that Coen Film also......

The producing of campaign spots is done by whomever they hire. Most agencies have to bid for work.  I assume some are done by the bigger companies maybe on a non-recognition basis as most of it is listed as agency work in the public records. Mad Men shows in its first season a storyline that has Cooper/Sterling producing ads for Nixon as he went up against Kennedy.  You are aware that you can check your local stations public records to see where & who they took advertising dollars from & how much was spent & where it aired.  

I think the New Yorker had that article although I do find some gems in Advertising age myself....

I work for a local TV station. Not really sure wha tmy EXACT job title is except that of  Go-Fer & although one of my bosses tells me to start thinking a little more outside of the box another one wants me a little more back into the box as with the HDTV change over I am about issues & solutions as to the "WHAT IF'" that can possibly occur within the next few monthes.  DRIVES him NUTS!!!! It's quite interesting around here....  Our creative side is Great also living in a more conservative area they are sometimes "reigned in" by management but we try our best.  Of course one contest I wanted to do was give away free gas, the Lawyer said we couldn't becuase most PD's won't O.K. that type of security needed by doing somehting like that.  I asked him if he wanted me to call the Chief, he siad I would nver get though I replied that's alright I'll just ask him over Christmas Dinner then, He's my uncle.... That's when the Legal Eagle said a flat out no to the idea... that was an official Bummer Moment.... 

Hey, MissIve,

 What say we dramatise your picture- The Song of the Lark- and use it for a political ad. Don't you think it would be better if the scythe had just a tiny little bit of blood dripping from it? 

Hey, if it bleeds, it leads...

 Speaking of blood,  my home TV does not receive any channels clearly enough to watch. I only watch movies from the VCR-uh and the DVD player. Just about the only place I see broadcast TV is when I go to the Red Cross to give platelets. This means my  exposure to most kinds of broadcast advertising is directly linked to the sight of my own blood.

 I keep suggesting to the Red Cross folks that they might get us to bleed more quickly if they showed somethihg a little racier. And we would be more inclined to come back. 

Any Dorothy Sayers fans out there? Murder Must Advertise is out of date, but quite likely still true to the spirit of advertising, if not the current tactics. Or am I wrong again? 

Yes, I love the Sayre's with the bells, "The 9 tailors?" Speaking of advertising, it might be a bit of idealistic of us to suggest a positive campaign. And they're no fun anyway. If I were consulting with Barack, the obvious thing is to focus in on two things.

First, Sarah. We can probably think of something more inventive than the heartbeat visual, but this irritating hockey mom is a heartbeat away from the presidency.

You also can't let the Republicans remove themselves from the last 8 years, no matter how hard they try. You can run but you can't hide. With McCain it's 8 more years of Bush, no matter how they spin it.

There's plenty of time to be positive once you're in office. 

And as Robert Redford said at the end of "The Candidate", "What do I do now?"  I almost share Dutchman's cynicism. Do whatever it takes to be elected. Although some real honesty might get either one of them elected..we're not going to get that. 

I would vote to shorten the entire electoral process. Primaries, debates, conventions, more debates. It's a wonder any of them can think straight.

GIA, when you say "It's a wonder any of them can think straight," I believe you assume a lot...

I do agree, though, we need a presidency that doesn't consist mostly of running for re-election. 

Now that I'm all caught up reading today's posts, I've got this huge hankerin' to go back out and get either a Cold Stone Creamery Banana Split or a Chocolate Malt with a Side Car!  I've got a bad case of Cherry Garcia on my mind.

Greetings:  Tonight, my two boys and I went down to the local pizza place for dinner.  On the TV was the Democratic Presidential Candidate talking about something.  No sound, just subtitles.  The music playing (loudly) at the time was "START ME UP" by the Rolling Stones.  My eight year old son said:  "Look dad, it's 'Rock-ya-mamma' on TV"

Now there's a campaign strategy to capitalize on.

Ladies, PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT FOOD! Sorry, just that I'm frock shopping (that has a nice semi-erotic ring to it, doesn't it?) on ebay, and the food is making me CRAZY. Now the PBS take on The Women is on my list too.

Talking about politics is so depressing. We'll have two months of distracting bullshit, no one talking about the real issues, culminating with the ignorant and gullible masses electing the worst candidate. Then it gets worse...

I've had a hella stressful week already-accreditation site visit for my Respiratory Therapy program at my college, nutcase evaluators with inexplicable agendas, bad food, late hours, nonstop amphetamine hamster activity. EEEEEK!

It's no wonder Missy and I resonate sometimes-my birthday is Monday, so we're just two Virgos in cyberspace. Sounds like a good plot for a movie...or a campaign ad. :P

Never could get into Ben and Jerry's-I like Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla, It tastes exactly like the hand-cranked stuff, then I dress it up however I want. Yes, I'm plain vanilla in my ice cream tastes, but not in other things. You should check out my riding crop. Wait, did I say that out loud? oops...

>>>Talking about politics is so depressing. <<< Yes, it is, Olivia.  But I'm inspired by a quote attributed to Diamond Jim Brady.  He was supposed asked by Lilly Langtree, "Diamond Jim, why do you laugh so much?' He replied, 'It's easier to laugh than to cry.'

Here are a few gems from Mark Twain/Samual Clemmons....

"Look at the tyranny of party--at what is called party allegiance, party loyalty--a snare invented by designing men for selfish purposes--and which turns voters into chattles, slaves, rabbits, and all the while their masters, and they themselves are shouting rubbish about liberty, independence, freedom of opinion, freedom of speech, honestly unconscious of the fantastic contradiction; and forgetting or ignoring that their fathers and the churches shouted the same blasphemies a generation earlier ..."

"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed."

"Etiquette requires us to admire the human race." 

And "First, God created idiots. That was just for practice. Then He created school boards."

When it comes to human nature, sweeet Olivia, it's both comforting and infuriating to realize that nothing much ever changes. So,why do I laugh?  I'll let Diamond Jim speak for me.......

Olivia,

"Two Virgos in Cyberspace", Wasn't that an Eddie Money song?

I agree with Olivia about Blue Bell versus Ben et Jerry's. Their factory was a short drive from where I lived in Texas.

I wonder how the guys on "Mad Men" would handle a presidential campaign's advertising. I am very concerned that ultimately negativity has a far greater effect on voters than positivity. I admired Obama's Buddhistic-etherealness during the debates, but I am unsure that it's working well for him now. McCain's gaffes and temper make me worry he has vascular dementia. (For the interested, there is an hilarious old-creepy ad shown at weirdomatic.com of a very elderly man raising a cane in agitation; it's a decades-old ad for Thorazine). I've a dim view of McCain's choice of a Whiter Shade of Palin to co-run, and am fascinated by the new Vanity Fair timeline data arguing strongly that Bristol Palin is in the fact the mother of the child with Down syndrome. The McCain gender issue hinted at in posts here was wildly burlesqued recently by Stephen Colbert in a spoof ad: "JOHN MCCAIN: HER STORY," which concludes with the line, "John McCain. It's almost like he has a vagina."

I guess the upshot of the above may be that there's farther to fun with negative advertising than with positive in this campaign. I really think that only people with narcissistic personality disorders would want to be president, and so they're fair game for it, imho.

Happy birthday to MI; there's something auspicious about the nining of nine. Olivia, I suggest you take that riding crop with you on any future trips to Belgium!

OLIVIA!!!!

I almost said, where the hell is Olivia today?! You're a Virgo? Girl!
And, I just have to be honest, as I know you like, I broke up with a boy because he always ordered vanilla. Really. That was the only reason. He was an engineer. Total hotty. I'm sure you put lots of interesting things on it, but I'm still suspect of the element of control in one's life. Mix it up sometimes. Glad you're back.

Have officially decided, after the note from ExPat (hope you're reading, sir) that my departure was unnecessary. I felt like all the things I was going through needed my attention and I needed to haul in my anchors, so to speak. Sorry, father is also a sailor. Navy man.

But I NEED this. But, if I'm here too much and don't have a report of another job, please scold me.

I have two weeks to move. Nag me.

Peter-It was by Blue Oyster Cult, actually...

Mark, thanks for the giggle, and I agree with your diagnosis of McCain. At least, I HOPE it's only vascular dementia. I'm a bit worried he's a stroke risk perhaps. I'd believe multiple TIAs as we speak, or as HE speaks! 

And those Belgium lads are PUTTY IN MY HANDS!

Nachista!

I almost forgot. The jacket!!! Love it. Better than the actual gifts I opened tonight. Really. Opened two books on 'saving one's marriage.' The jacket rocked.

Thank you.

Mark Swaim and PeterLake,

You mentioned/referenced my birthday, but after five bottles of champagne, it's hard to respond. Did not get either reference.

But thanks.

J

If I have five bottles of champagne (my favorite drink!), I better have four friends to help drink it, or I will do something VERY BAD before I puke.

Take care, dear.

Damn, I forgot to NAG! Wow, I must be slipping. Yes, Missy, Virgo, which means that vanilla ANYTHING becomes transcendent in my presence-think about it.

Expat, we're thinking about you, babe. Come back, darling, I'm on my knees, begging you please...when you're ready.

Miss Ive & Olivia

Olivia's "Two Virgos in Cyberspace" comment caused Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise" to come lyrically wafting through the keyhole of my memory warehouse, which does seem most appropriate in consideration of the two of you. . . . . It's just a really, well intended, compliment that I had little control of once a dorment memory is activated and escapes through the key hole. 

Both of you consider September as Birthday Month and enjoy. I insist.  Happy Birthmonth to "da bode of ya"!

Oh, Missy-I love Haagen Daz Dulce et Leche, Butter Pecan, almost anybody's coffee ice cream, HD's Mayan Chocolate (super intense). Yes, ice cream, one of my weaknesses, and white cheese dip (but not together). I learned from my dear old Pappy, three basic rules of eating that will serve us well:

1. Never eat anything bigger than your head.

2. Beware of anything that looks the same coming out as it did going in (cf refried beans)

3. Always have ice cream after mexican food. Especially HOT mexican food, or you'll spend too much time sittin' in the branch.

I'll be interested to see who gets that last one.

And yes, Missy, HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY unless it hurts feelings. By the way, do these jeans make my butt look big? *does a twirl*

I'm addicted to this place, and all of you as well. Be gentle with me...

*cackling wildly* It's been a long day.

Peter, Peter, punkin eater, thanks a mil, you couldn't be sweeter!

Okay, better go to bed, off the rails now.

PeterLake,

Yes. Thank you. I will take the month, now that you mention it.

Oliva,

Nothing could make you look fat. And I do think I should borrow that skirt for my interviews. All of mine are Peterman-length! 

Olivia, "nonstop amphetamine hamster activity", Muwahahahahahahahaha, thanks for that visual.  I know how you feel.

When it comes to ice cream i love any good ice cream, but my favorite kind will always be the locally produced, Aggie ice cream.  The university here has a big dairy program that produces its own line of ice cream http://www.usu.edu/aggieicecream/ and it is really good.  The dairy building where they have their original ice cream counter is right at the mouth of one of the major canyons in the area, so you go hiking and on the way home stop and get ice cream.  Lemon Custard is my current favorite.

Oh, Missy, nachista, Mackdaddy- we SO need a GNO! You all ROCK!

Missy, my Shadow skirt is yours for the asking, for the tasking. It truly has the power to cloud men's minds...

Lemon custard HAS to be good! Pistachio? Fudge ripple? ANY gelato...gotta go, cravings are driving me now.

Sorry, GNO?  I live with a marine so all my acronyms seem to be military minded and have FOXTROT somewhere in there.