I was inspired by Steven D’s front-page diary to put together my own version of a Democratic campaign ad for 2006. It doesn’t include the word “impeach” anywhere in it, for a couple of reasons, but I wanted to get some comments from the blogosphere.
Since I’m a storyteller rather than a mercenary, I am putting this forward for the public good and donating it into the public domain. Do what you like with it, but I would just kvell if someone would pick up this ad, adapt it for their local candidate, and get it aired. Or use it as a springboard for their own ideas.
Hey, if it gets us a Democratic congress and the real possibility of impeachment hearings, so much the better.
Follow me beyond the flip, as you’re watching your favorite show on TV and this ad comes on screen. I’ve tailored it for two candidates here in Washington, one incumbent and one challenging an incumbent, but it should work for pretty much anyone with a D behind their name.
Imagine a picture of the US Capitol Building. It’s an image we all instantly recognize. Then, suddenly, the word ABRAMOFF splats onto the screen. Literally, wht a SPLAT sound effect. In Arial Black Bold type or something similarly big, and as it splats the type starts to ooze down the screen.
Then the word DELAY splats similarly onto the screen. Then CUNNINGHAM. Then HURRICANE KATRINA. Then HALIBURTON. Then ELECTION FRAUD. And as the words splat and run together, it begins to be hard to tell them apart as they cover the screen and black out the image of the Capitol.
VOICEOVER: The scandals have come thick and fast under the Republican administration in Washington.
Then we see a grayed-out image of the Republican candidate in question. We don’t name him, but we refer to him all right. In the case of Mike McGavick:
VOICEOVER: Sending a Republican insurance lobbyist to help clean up the mess is putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.
Or in the case of Dave Reichert:
VOICEOVER: Dave Reichert voted with indicted former House speaker Tom Delay 94% of the time. He can’t be part of the solution when he’s part of the problem.
Then we fade into a nice sunny picture of the Democratic opponent actually doing something:
VOICEOVER: Maria Cantwell has fought to protect Washington in Congress. She stood up to Republican efforts to increase tanker traffic in Puget Sound and increase our electric rates. She works for Washingtonians, not special interest lobbyists.
VOICEOVER: Darcy Burner will work to restore government accountability. She will fight for investments in education, health care and jobs. She will work to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Send Darcy Burner to Congress, and send a message to Washington: No More Business As Usual.
And of course the obligatory “I approved of this message” bit at the end.
Like it? Steal it. Spread it. Film it. Air it. Don’t like it? Hack it. Improve it. Come up with one of your own. The best way to have a lot of good ideas is to have a lot of ideas. Let’s get ’em on the table. We have deadlines to meet.