Mitch McConnell: milquetoast no more—at least in this ad
The only part of the ad I’d quarrel with is the use of the “law is irrelevant” quote, which I think is taken out of context and was not meant in the way it sounds. It doesn’t really add all that much, either. Another thing I wonder is whether the ad is too long to grab most people’s attention.
Otherwise, very well done, particularly that last chilling quote from Obama himself.
[Hat tip: JohnE at Ace’s.]
To me, it is a good ad. To the LIVs it probably sounds way too apocalyptic. Most LIVs have no sense that the administration is a danger to their way of life. They’re asking themselves, “What the H*** is this guy talking about?” Their sense is that Obama is going after some greedy fat cats that aren’t paying their fair share. The LIVs have no idea what the TEA Party is about except what the MSM has told them. The mantra they hear is that they’re bunch of racists and homophobes. Their sense is that the TEA Party needs watching. IMO, this kind of ad gives the impression that the Repubs are just as trying to score political points. Of course they are trying to score political points, but these scandals have to be framed in a way that makes sense to Joe Sixpack. I don’t think this accomplishes that.
“[V]ery well done, particularly that last chilling quote from Obama himself.” Agreed. ‘Bout time the good guys came up with something good, let alone this good.
“Another thing I wonder is whether the ad is too long to grab most people’s attention.” Also agreed. The ad is 2:40 in length; it needs to be cut to 1:00. Maybe produce two separate but complementary ads, 1:00 each, run at different points in the same show.
I never see 2:40 ads on TV. Um, when I watched TV, that is. I don’t anymore. Maybe it’s an internet-only ad?
It’s not bad, but I don’t consider McConnell to be any great ally of the Tea Party. He just wants to get re-elected. Color me cynical.
Even pukes like McCain and Graham get all conservative-y when they’re up for re-election.
This is completely off-topic and is not intended as a slam against you, JJ, but don’t conflate Joe Sixpack with Low Information Voters. They’re two different things.
As I see it, Joe Sixpack is a member of the working class. He may not be sophisticated or well-educated, but he usually possesses common sense and lives in the real world.
The Low Information Voter transcends class. He may be an uneducated multi-generational welfare recipient living in the ghetto, a member of the working class who gets his political philosophy from his favorite celebrities and his ‘news’ from Jon Stewart, or a member of the upper middle class with an advanced degree who religiously reads the New York Times, listens to NPR, and dismisses ‘Faux News’ and conservative bloggers.
I’ve come to love and appreciate Mitch McConnell. He’s quiet, but he is emerging as one of the truly good guys. I think he LOVES the new whackobirds, Cruz, and Rand, et al. He finds it freeing. and he cares about the principle of the thing.
rickl, you’re completely right. LIV and Joe Sixpack are not necessarily interchangeable. Chalk it up to sloppy thinking and writing on my part.
I just returned from a meeting with my Congresswoman, Susan Del Bene and 60 of her constituents. Needless to say, I was in the conservative minority. We split up into groups of four or five and talked about a number of budget issues – voting for or against various budget proposals. We are in a heap of trouble. None of my group were LIVs. They are however, “true believers” in the benefits of big government. All of my group were male, well- educated (one an MD), and vocal in support of their issues. They listened to me politely and then voted against me. We only agreed on maybe 10% of the issues debated and voted on. (These votes are supposed to be a guide to Del Bene for her votes in the House.) Did you know that well-educated people cannot grasp easily the concept that the Federal Government has no money – that it all comes out of our pockets or must be borrowed? They don’t believe Social Security and Medicare are in fiscal trouble. (“They’re” just trying to scare us.) It’s this failure to grasp simple economics that is mind boggling and frightening.
Other issues such as the IRS scandals were not discussed, but I’m pretty certain that they would classify McConnell’s ad as “scare tactics.”
AD is meant for internet but I don’t think it will break out of the blogosphere. A TV ad should begin and with Obama sound bites.
The first quote should be the one of him saying, “don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” Then end the ad the “punish our enemies and reward our friends.”
Tie all the intimidation around Obama’s neck it is what the ad fails to do for the LIV.
Beth, that would be a perfect ad. Maybe it could be a series.
Mitch McConnell doesn’t need to win the nation, he only needs to win in Kentucky. This ad, pared down and run on local television, would go a long way towards that goal.
Kentucky is a mostly conservative state with three bastions of liberalism – the two urban cities of Louisville and Lexington, and the Appalachian coal region of the eastern part of the state. Right now, the coal industry is hurting as a direct result of Obama’s policies and the people of that region realize it. 2014 promises to be an interesting year here in the bluegrass.
I think it’s an excellent ad, but I have never thought of McConnell as a “milquetoast.”
I know he’s not a fiery orator, but he’s an excellent parliamentarian. We need more than one kind of politician on our conservative team.