The Saturday Post: Political ads that don't make you wanna puke edition
Saturday, September 29, 2012 Are you as sick of political ads as I am? I don't believe a single word said in a single ad this time around, from either candidate. Such hatefulness and negativity does nothing for me, certainly doesn't make me want to mark my ballot for someone who only denigrates their opponent rather than honestly lay out their plans and raise up Americans to proudly follow their lead.
Dwight Eisenhower was the first to air political campaign ads on television, in 1952 (according to this post from Open Culture). What a long, downward spiral we've taken since Ike's happy jingles and direct answers.
(This last one is erroneously marked as from 1956, but it's 1952.)
I agree with Ike: It is indeed time for a change—starting first with elimination of all the negative and mean-spirited campaigning.
Best wishes for a weekend free of all political ads. Other than those above, of course.
Happy Saturday!
Reader Comments (10)
Amen!
Unfortunately, I'll only dodge mean spirited politics this weekend if I also avoid Facebook and Pinterest. Although I'm glad to see so many interested in the upcoming election, I'm beyond disgusted by people spewing hate and vitriol at every opportunity. Reminds me of bullies on the playground in grade school and I wouldn't have voted for them either.
As far as I'm concerned, this election can't come fast enough. Have a great Saturday and thanks for an early morning vent:)
The Eisenhower second term was the first time I was aware of politics. I grew up in an actively political family and py perspective is diff Ierent in that it is tinged with some negative sentiment. My dad detested Eisenhower because of some personal involvement in England during the War. I will vote. My husband is so disgusted that he will probably not even bother so I am excited because it will be the first time in years we did not just cancel each other out.
We don't have cable, and that has never made me happier than it does in this election year.
The sad thing is that these horrible negative ads seem to work.....I can't figure out why. Anyone you talk to seems opposed to the vitriolic attacks. Some of the ads for local candidates are just plain stupid. The state of politics in America is pretty pathetic.
I guess I'm not the only person who lives in a household where we residents cancel out each other's vote.
Have a Happy Saturday anyway, Lisa. Just stuff your ears full of cotton if the TV is on.
Thanks so much for sharing these ads. They're awesome. I'm a little bit of a political junkie, but this year's campaign has really turned me off. The Facebook culture that allows people to say absolutely anything while hiding behind the screen is kind of the last straw for me. People say things on Facebook they would never say to someone's face.
As far as national political ads, we get very few of them here in Texas. I think they've just written off Texas as already decided so they don't waste there advertising dollars here.
Oh to live in the Midwest for the next four weeks. When we lived there, the ads were almost nonexistent and the candidates maybe came to town once. Here in NH, the ads run 24/7 and you can see the candidates almost weekly. For those of you who don't live in a political state like this, I'm here to tell you they go to people's houses, and I'm not talking about mansions that hold hundreds I'm talking about a regular person and there may be 25 people there. They hopscotch all over the state doing that.as well as attending the larger rallies.The only thing saving my sanity is the 'mute' button.
I was going to say the same thing as Vicki:) My husband and I were just saying the other day how nice it is that no one seems to be investing in advertising here in Texas. A little peace from the hatefulness is very nice.
Have a great weekend!
HA! I wish this year I could get my husband to agree to us both not voting, since we, too, cancel each other out! But he is too "civic minded" and I am too sneaky to keep my word! I have resorted to getting my political news from Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert - everything else I need to know can be found on a grandma blog - and when Kc gets back from her trip to Michigan she will agree with me on that part!
Also, can anyone tell me if Nonnie Kelly has a blog? Her comments are always as insightful and/or funny as the post itself. I would follow her in a sec!
Lisa, I agree completely! Not only am I sick of the politicians and their negativity -- I am sick of so many other people being so negative! Facebook is just getting ugly. I'm re-reading Pollyanna -- maybe that is my problem!