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When Candidates Give Up, The Ads Can Be Fun

Posted by: David Kiley on November 14

It’s like watching some pathetic guy at a bar at closing time. He has been trying to pick up a girl all night. No luck. And, so, he just starts acting up like he doesn’t give a sh*t to see if anyone notices. Ho goes up to the karaoke mic and starts singing “I Feel Pretty.” Maybe if I act goofy enough, he thinks, I’ll get lucky.

It is in this vein that Republican Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo has unleashed this ad he hopes will boost his sub-zero poll ratings.

This is an ad paid for by a man who has given up all hope. Clearly, he now just wants to have some fun before he has to turn out the lights on his campaign office. Who can blame him?

At first I thought the voiceover was the guy in the Library Seinfeld episode who played “Bookman,” the library cop. It would have been funnier if it was. But I don’t think it is.

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Reader Comments

Walt Kania

November 15, 2007 10:48 AM

Interesting. (And an apt sign-off line, too.)

I've seen some small star-ups do much the same thing. When you have 0 market share, and you're going against huge competitors, you haven't much to lose. Go for something provocative and audacious. Seems to work.

Drew

November 15, 2007 11:56 AM

I can laugh at it, but its scary that some people will probably see it and believe it.

Immigrants' List - www.immigrantslist.org - has a petition up to try to get it off the air.

Chris

November 18, 2007 05:31 PM

Lyndon Johnson's Daisy would be proud.

Fortunately it isn't 1964. Most people can see through this kind of political garbage. Well said, David. It is pathetic.

Stacey Malstrom

November 19, 2007 05:16 PM

This may be a last-ditch effort for publicity, but what about the rest of Tom Tancredo’s career and public life? If this is the type of platform that he was elected on, maybe it won’t matter. The resulting national publicity and media coverage could encourage some of his current Colorado constituents to reevaluate their support. It may also bring more attention to and support for his political efforts.

It’s frightening to see blatant prejudice nationally broadcasted. It’s a bit more frightening to consider the potential ramifications.

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News, opinions, inflammatory meanderings and occasional ravings about the world of advertising, marketing and media. By Marketing Editor Burt Helm and Senior Correspondent David Kiley.

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