‘Tis the [political advertising] season…Earlier today Nicole posted some general advertising being used in the Midwest to promote Progressive politics. The storyboarded video shown here is a proposal for an ad campaign for the Democratic Party in 2008, produced by Adam Klugman (yes, he’s Jack Klugman’s son) who runs Progressive Media Agency in Portland, Oregon. Adam has generously donated his time and creativity to produce a campaign for the national Democratic party called “We the People.”
The DNC is currently considering producing the spot for the upcoming 2008 Presidential election season. You can read more about the project here.
By the way, it’s an open thread.
Filed Under: Ads, Democratic Party, Howard Dean/DNC, Progressive Politics Action
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The Democratic Party represents the people?! That’s news to me.
I find watching that without sound… creepy. Especially the close-ups of what appear to be foaming mouths… Also I’m not so sure the phrase “Watch.Rinse.Repeat” should be anywhere near. People are demanding action these days, and that slogan is very static.
The ‘indie’ animated aspect is kind of interesting…
The People represent the Democratic Party. Does that make sense.
Phantom @ 1:
Oh yeah! Of course the Democrats (Hillary, Pelosi, Reid, Obama, Biden, Kerry) represtent THE PEOPLE - The people who own Walmart, Exxon-Mobil, General Motors, Citibank, Pfizer, Dow Chemical, Blackwater…etc…etc..etc.
Once real actors take the place of the storyboarders, it’ll look much better. We got to see it at a Dem convention in Eugene a year ago and it really raised the roof. I’d wondered why it was not heard from again.
I think it’s great, but needs a tiny bit of editing to tighten it into something very powerful
Ooooohhh. Sorry. I though that WAS the final… hehe. Despite the fact that it says “storyboarded” clearly in the summary.
My bad. :o
An ad like that is against everything the Repigs stand for.
One has to look no further than the debates to see that the “people” don’t matter one bit to corporate media or political parties . Watch the Nevada Dem debate tomorrow and see how much face and air time that Hillary, Obama and Edwards get compared to everyone else. And watch for a really stupid question to be lobbed at Kucinich by company monkey Wolf Blitzer a la company monkey Tim Russert .
scares me. this would be presented by the same networks that are presenting the news? Seems like the same over-produced pablum that is the cause of everyone believing that Hillary Clinton is “our” front runner. too over-produced. Sorry my party is floating trial baloons to see how they play. I want a candidate. A candidate that speaks their mind and thoughts rather than soundbites that sound REALLY good. I’m ashamed.
Gordon Huser
Minneapolis Minnesota
Could problems in Pakistan hurt the stability of our pipeline,
er, “progress” in Afghanistan? Guantanamo torture instructions hit the internets.
Clinton flip-flops
on licenses to illegals. Our airport security isn’t able to keep track of bomb parts. Our taking sides in Iraq is just benefiting Iran.
Open thread…
The Air Force Times reported that Idaho’s foot-tapper is still able to to act as a spoiler - this time toward the veterans. Craig placed a “Hold” on a veterans benefit bill that would fund improvements to the treatment programs for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. The bills have been waiting for passage since July. He might still be “giving” to us by his holding onto his position - but his congressional actions sure aren’t “giving” to our veterans.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/n.....s_071114w/
Bush managed to make things worse for black people than Reagan!
And here’s how!
Story Highlights (from CNN)
House passes Iraq bill demanding troops out by December ‘08
*NEW: Bill offers less funds for Iraq, Afghanistan than Bush requested
*NEW: $50 billion bill requires troop withdrawal from Iraq by December 15, 2008
*Bill bans government from using waterboarding interrogation technique
*White House says bill is “political posturing” and likely to be vetoed
The 218-203 vote was largely along party lines.
Fifteen Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the bill while four Republicans voted in favor of it.
I found it very helpful to read the blog entry Klugman posted on BlueOregon.com earlier today. Quoting:
“…what you are about to watch is not a vision of the party as it is but rather as it
one day might be if each of us knew what to sing when applying the most
rudimentary chord of our uniquely American freedom: We The People. And while I must admit that it is odd to propose a new brand identity campaign for a party that seems
to be careening away from its constituents, that is precisely my point: like turning into a
skid, we must not pull away from our party but turn directly into it, all of us, at the same
time, and recover our control before it is too late.”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Here’s the link to the rest, along with a high res version of the spot along with some great print examples.
http://www.wethepeople.tv/
Obviously false advertising….
How to speak for yourself. Loud.
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.....mbers.html
I would like to ask Mr. Klugman if the Democrats funded Blackwater and if he plans to make a cartoon about it called “Burning ‘We the People’” How the Democrats are complicit in destroying the republic.
Thirty-five million Americans aren’t eating.
This spot gives me chills. I think it is a stirring anthem to what our Democratic party SHOULD represent!
King of Kings:
Why don’t you just respond to the commercial on it’s own merit and leave “BLackwater” out of it?
That’s the most I’ve seen the Democrats talk about the envirinment in any substantive way since 2000. The hunter standing in the woods saying that forests need to be protected is classic. I’m fully expecting this scene to be edited out. That is the Democratic party I’ve come to know.
King of Kings (are you JC?)
I understand that the Democratic party is complicit in Blackwater and all sorts of nefarious goings-on. But this commercial (not cartoon) sums up what I want my Democratic party to once again stand for!!
Crennaman @ 14:
Exactly. WE either take active control of the party or we’re stuck with the long slow process of building an effective third party. It’s faster grabbing the reins.
And to others who look for a Messiah to lead us out of the wilderness, I can only say let us be that Messiah. Maybe you be the heart, someone else the brain and others the hands. WE can waste a lifetime waiting for one, or invest many lifetimes creating miracles. It’s our party, and the hired help keep forgetting that.
I don’t recognize the country represented in that advertisement. Must be a dream or something.
Rudy , Rudy , Rudy the first brave thing you ever did was never changing your first name, we can only imagine the torment and ridicule you suffered from, because of your name and freakish appearance . Is this were your fixation with authority and servitude come from, putting yourself above all others , wielding power like a vindictive child , getting back at ” bad people ” , but now you want to control the whole playground, with your war on bullies . Now, even though your sleazy connection to Bernard Kerik , a straight mob connected gangster with more charges than failed Dennis Miller Shows , and thats a sh it load , is your best friend and BUSINESS PARTNER , you have the gall to us your interested in our security .
Have some self - respect drop out of the presidential race , you’re an embarrassment to the United States , RudY .
Shored ba nice to see a little sumpin’ ’bout Habeas Corpus and Illegal Wire Tapping and Torture in dere sumwhere’s, donchya think so Vern?
(Sorry, put this in the wrong thread)
The text of the supplemental that pased the House today is not yet available. However, here is the version that the Rules Committee posted (PDF):
http://www.rules.house.gov/110.....156txt.pdf
This text of the supplemental bill clarifies that the relevant TORTURE PROHIBITION portion of the AFM is “Army Field Manual FM2-22.3 Human Intelligence Collector Operations.” Here is the text of this portion of the new AFM:
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm2-22-3.pdf
If anyone wants to find the relevant portion in this huge document, please post what they find.
More to the point: The ad to be is as generic as it gets. It is a common denominator piece and as such says absolutely nothing, Change a few words here and there and the Republicans could use it as well.
Great concept. I like the message a lot. I realize it’s just a storyboard but hopefully when it does get produced, and I think it should, please be mindful of the stereotyping that is in the storyboard… re-watch and you’ll see most everyone is typecast by age and race. Lets expand that image but keep the message. Great work.
how incredibly cheesy and stupid. let’s all do some yoga now.
As a former dem/liberal who is now an independant voter (but still votes dem mostly), I think that ad could be great but needs some tweaking.
I dont think that energy independance is homeland security. I WANT to feel safe from terrorism, whether you believe its out there or not. You need to tell us how you will protect the american people.
I do like talk about energy independance.
I dont believe the democrats are going to being any new industries, jobs or higher wages for people. That part is b/s. No political party does that really.
I do love the ending about peace, peace, peace. that is great.
Tequila @ 18:
We know Rush Limpballs or Cavuto ain’t part of that.
Nancy Nye @ 19:
I agree. I wrote Adam and told him how much I appreciate his work. Frankly, I’m more optimistic about the Democratic presidential candidates than I am about Democratic leaders in Congress. They are weak, they don’t know how or they are unwilling to filibuster. They continue to put forward measures and haven’t counted the votes. They seem very naive and unprofessional to me. It’s going to take a long time to make significant changes in the political culture. Here’s hoping first that we survive Bush, the negative impacts he’s had on every facet of our lives, that he can be restrained from bombing Iran, and that someone has the courage to prosecute him and his henchmen.
Status Update: Effort To Remove Pelosi As Speaker, Clear Way For Impeachment Investigation
Kucinich led the effort to get Congress to vote on an Cheney impeachment resolution. It appears enough of the DNC Members of the House do not blindly support Pelosi’s position that impeachment is off the table. Arguably, enough members of Congress could be motivated — for whatever reason — to remove the last obstacle to impeachment: The Speaker herself.
A. This outlines the idea, including the House precedents and a sample proclamation: Here;
B. It is flawed to assume Pelosi loyalists would be automatically take the Speakers position. The House elects a New Speaker by popular vote, according to the Constitution and House Precedents.
C. Phred and bmaz provided some valuable feedback; which have been addressed here and here.
What You Can Do
1. Get Informed
Share with your friends this sample State proclamation calling for the House to remove Pelosi as Speaker; encourage your State legislators to discuss it, and approve it; and provide your elected officials these House precedents showing a Speaker can be removed on the basis of a State Proclamation asking for Congress to remove the Speaker.
2. Share This Summary
Use This summary to show that each individual citizen has an important role to play in this: Their efforts helped mobilize public support for Kucinich’s resolution on the Cheney impeachment. It only takes one person to get this going.
Thanks for your support. Good luck. The Constitution shall prevail.
This ad highlights talking points to make them seem even more empty. Action speaks louder than words. People just standing around saying some words, dressed in the costumes of different professions and different ethnicities? Where is the action? Where is the progression? None…but I guess fitting because it sounds just like our current Democratic majority.
Powerful ad. I hope it’s seen alot. I hope the Dems actually grow a spine in 2009.
Ooh, that rhymes. Sounds like a slogan.
“Grow a spine in 2009!!!” Ah, fuck it.
One of the things that makes the spot so compelling is that Adam Klugman actually tells a story, not just a checklist of “issues.” I think it really works, and packs more of an emotional punch than a lot of spots you see. Plus, great visual drumbeat at the end.
I strongly encourage people to read Adam’s background piece “Raising an Anthem for a New Generation of Democrats”, which we posted at Blue Oregon here.
Good luck, Adam!
Gary @ 31:
You must have flunked history…who to you think created the Internet?…The aerospace industry….agriculture as it is now practiced in America?
The government did all this through direct investment and land grant universities. And now after decades of neglect we are falling behind the EU and China in our industry and science.
All thanks to bs the ReThugs have sold the American people about how ‘government doesn’t work…’ and you bought it.
Don’t forget the Interstate Highway network. TVA, Bonneville and Hoover dams. I could go on but you should have gotten the picture by now.
If you ever will.
Beau Jangles @ 35:
It is powerful - a muscular, confident, no-apologies message will resonate, I think, with undecided voters.
There are a few rough edges. The line, “The Democratic Party. We. The. People.” is delivered with a wee touch of bombastic superhero.
But overall, thumbs up for ambition and execution.
I agree with Remove Speaker that Rep. Pelosi should be recalled for failing to defend the Constitution.
Proclamations Calling For Pelosi To Be Removed As Speaker
Stanley Rosenthal @ 40:
Thank you. Please encourage your friends, bloggers and others in the DNC or GOP to link to, discuss, and share their views of this C&L comment (Status update on effort to remove Pelosi as Speaker). Even if someone in the GOP disagrees with an effort to remove Pelosi, it’s good to hear their reasons.
If you’re looking for something you can do right now — this morning, today — while you’re sitting at your computer surfing the internet, here’s an idea that can take a few seconds: Visit some of these blogs discussing Kucinich and the Cheney impeachment effort, and remind them of the Status of the Effort to Remove Pelosi. Hit some random blogs, and let them know you appreciate their coverage of the Kucinich impeachment resolution, and that there is an effort underway to remove the Speaker. Thanks.
We may need to *IMPEACH HOYER FIRST*.
Remove Speaker @ 34 “Kucinich led the effort to get Congress to vote on an Cheney impeachment resolution.”
Which effort would have failed for lack of votes if not withdrawn.
“It appears enough of the DNC Members of the House do not blindly support Pelosi’s position that impeachment is off the table.”
That’s incorrect. There are a handful of Reps who believe it should go forward to a vote in the absence of enough votes.
“[It is wrong] to assume Pelosi loyalists would be automatically take the Speakers position.”
You misunderstood. The problem isn’t that “Pelosi loyalists” would become Speaker. The problem is that, WITHOUT A DOUBT, Steny Hoyer would be the next Speaker. That’s trading a Progressive for a DLCer — NOT an accomplishment, but actually would be a step backward.
“The House elects a New Speaker by popular vote,”
A popular vote is a vote of the population. The House elects the Speaker via caucus elections at the start of the Congress. The next such election will be in 2009. If Speaker Pelosi loses, then Speaker Hoyer will become a reality. And if you don’t know that Hoyer ALREADY has that power, you are just uninformed.
Stanley Rosenthal @ 40:
If she wasn’t protecting the Constitution, she could simply have let the impeachment bill go forward, and fail for lack of votes.
You want a Speaker that won’t count the votes. Well, I guarantee you such is not coming. The caucus will not elect someone who does not count the votes — it’s a primary aspect of the job.
By continuing to scapegoat Pelosi all you accomplish is helping the Republicans and the DLC. You do not change the actual votes.
Warm, fuzzy and emotionally evocative. And altogether crap. I’m so tired of pols using PR in the place of substance and honesty. It’s what I dislike about Clinton, and, when they’re not taking the advise of their handlers, what I like about Edwards and Obama. And what I thought I liked about McCain and, way back when, Dole — when they’re not running for president. Every other repub is a media tool.