In Defense of the Ad

[Seer]

The ad ain't bad. Seriously, how good are most ads? About this good.

People need to realise that Paul got across exactly what he needed to:
A) His name
B) You don't have to agree with every single one of his positions
C) Live Free or Die

The most important part about the ads is getting his name known. Over half of GOPers polled can't idenitfy "front-runner" Rudy Giuliani. By getting his name out, this ad is a success.

Not only that, but I'm sure there will be many, many more ads. This is a good first step.

[tfelice]

Agreed. I think some forget who the target market is: the average GOP primary voter who pays little if any attention to politics, but still votes on election day as part of their civic duty. This target market is not going to be swayed by Austrian Economics, details of non-interventionist foreign policy, etc. They will be swayed by soundbites and postive messages, both of which were contained in this video. Some have called the ad "cheesy", but this is precisely the type of ad that will work on the vast target market that is the average GOP voter.

[Taco John]

The Ad is horrible. We're going to get laughed at. The ad SCREAMS second tier candidate.

[DjLoTi]

The Ad is horrible. We're going to get laughed at. The ad SCREAMS second tier candidate.

2nd tier candidates don't run ads.

[RJB]

I thought it looked cheesy at first, but in all reality, it looks like just about every political add I've seen before.

We love our guy so much we expect angelic trumpets and and announcement from God declaring RP as the Solomon of our day.

Seriously, it won't hurt us. Could it be better, definitely yes, but the "Napoleon Dynamite" like phase of "Worst commercial ever" is a bit over stated IMO. It's not the worst, it's average.

[Bruehound]

Ron is cagey and knows what he is doing. Please study his thirty some years of beating the establishment and you will find his political instincts as brilliant as his governing philosophy.

I am serious...before people complain they should study up on the political genius of Ron Paul. He is far more saavy than this commercial may suggest but hmmmmmmm..maybe that is100% intentional.

[RJB]

Please study his thirty some years of beating the establishment and you will find his political instincts as brilliant as his governing philosophy.

I am serious...before people complain they should study up on the political genius of Ron Paul. He is far more saavy than this commercial may suggest but hmmmmmmm..maybe that is100% intentional.

Very good post. I'm 36 and have always paid attention to politics, but I only really started getting involved when RP hit the scene. I sometimes forget that and think I know everything about running a campaign.

[Flirple]

Ron is cagey and knows what he is doing. Please study his thirty some years of beating the establishment and you will find his political instincts as brilliant as his governing philosophy.

I am serious...before people complain they should study up on the political genius of Ron Paul. He is far more saavy than this commercial may suggest but hmmmmmmm..maybe that is100% intentional.

What he said.

[K1RBY]

ron paul himself could not articulate a defense for this turd of an ad.

[Nash]

The Ad is horrible. We're going to get laughed at. The ad SCREAMS second tier candidate.

Or it screams: I'm a different candidate. I'm not the status quo.

Ask yourself this question and give an honest answer: Have any of us EVER been swayed to vote for a candidate based on a 30 second television commercial before? I know I haven't. Maybe an ad would inspire me to learn more about the candidate but I NEVER have based by vote on anything because of a TV ad.

The ad is not aimed at us. It is aimed at casual New Hampshire citizens who may or may not vote. I honestly don't care if the ad had the swedish bikini team, explosions and fireworks, and dollar bills falling from the sky it wouldn't change my opinion about a candidate either way.

The ad is not for us. It is cheesy but it is cost effective. It is targeted for new hampshire voters only and only those who don't follow any politics at all. All it is supposed to do is get name recognition and inspire the casual voter to think and learn more about Ron Paul and then make a choice. That's it.

This is a candidate who has won TWO elections for congress as a non-incumbent with the entire party not supporting him both times. He's gotten re-elected countless times and he has a ton of experience at it. Don't think you know what you're talking about unless you're on the inside and know the inner workings of campaign election advertising.