August 14, 2008
Force Multiplying Attack Ads

Criticizing a candidate on TV or radio is one thing. When those barbs turn into earned media as well then you've achieved something.

That's just what the Benton County GOP has done, launching a radio ad that has drawn print and broadcast attention as Christine Gregoire recently traveled to the Tri-Cities.

The meat of the critique comes from this expose on Gregoire's failure to step up to the plate for local jobs. The real trouble spot in the whole affair for Gregoire has been the public criticism of her inaction from her own supporters in the area. So much so that the aforementioned radio spot can justifiably say that Gregoire failed to lend a timely hand "despite repeated pleas from her friends and supporters."

This is exactly the kind of thing needed to help elevate turnout in key parts of Eastern Washington, where Dino Rossi ran up big margins in 2004 but where overall voter turnout was also lower than much of Western Washington.

Posted by Eric Earling at August 14, 2008 10:40 PM | Email This
Comments
1. A recent ad (saw it last night) shows Gregoire working with children; it's very effective. Sir Dino would be wise to have an ad like that where it shows him working with or mingling with children - other than his own 'posed' family portrait type.
Just sayin... :)

Posted by: Duffman on August 15, 2008 05:27 AM
2. I'm from the Tri-Cities (Kennewick) and it makes me so mad that governor Gregoire didn't do anything to court AREVA in bringing their plant here! That was $2 bil in construction costs alone, and 400 jobs, with an average income of $60-70k! She doesn't care about us over here, and that's why she won't be getting my vote this time around.

Posted by: Margaret on August 15, 2008 05:55 AM
3. @ 1 - Why are you obssessing about the candidates posing with children. It's getting kind of weird to the point of disturbing....and If you think Christine Quagmire's photo ops with children aren't posed, you're off your bubble sir.

I'd prefer Dino's ads stick to facts about his opponent and her 4 year rampage on the average family in this state. This will be another classic Eastern Washington vs. Western Washington campaign and this time, I intend for the winner to ascend to the Governorship without KC elections deciding it through their fraudulent actions.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 06:07 AM
4. That anyone would expect Gregoire to support a project involving the nuclear industry amazes me.

Did they sleep during the negotiations for the Hanford cleanup, or the suit she lead against them as AG? Have they missed the appointment of Jay Manning as the head of Ecology? Did they not hear about her global warming policies?

Gregoire's support of the green movement and of their agenda is well established and not likely to change. She made the obligatory phone call to AREVA and that was it (and I suspect it was all focused on environemtal issues).

Posted by: deadwood on August 15, 2008 06:14 AM
5. #3 Rick, I'm simply saying that Sir Dino has to shed the 'slick' image somehow if he is to have any hope. And one way to help do that is to have ads that portray him as a active family-person who has the ability to communicate with and to children. Yes, I realize these ads are 'posed', but 'content' is very important and he needs to have the sort of content that supports an other than 'slick' image. Slick portends subliminal images like the Father's/Mother's Day Council presenting 'Father of the Year' Award to John Edwards. Believe me, I know of what I speak and I'm simply offering what I know will help...political preferences aside. :)

Posted by: Duffman on August 15, 2008 06:22 AM
6. Rick D.,

"I intend for the winner to ascend to the Governorship without KC elections deciding it through their fraudulent actions."

One can only hope, however I doubt much has changed at KC Elections. Logan has been replaced with another Sims lackey, and they have a new building...without windows. : )

Duffman,

Personally, I have always been turned off by baby kissing politicians. It's so obviously phoney, but that's just me. You're suggestion certainly couldn't hurt.

Posted by: NW Denizen on August 15, 2008 06:55 AM
7. So Duff, you think an ad that shows a gov can be a good babysitter is effective? Typical "take care of us like we're your children" lib mentality.

Posted by: PC on August 15, 2008 06:56 AM
8. @ 5 Duffman~ actually, I think we will see family friendly ads like that coming as we near the election. An unknown entity would start with the family friendly ads first to introduce themselves to voters while a known commodity like Rossi is better suited to hit the governor hard on a plethora of issues that have happened in her miserable 4 year reign and make the people of Washington ( more specifically Western Washington as the Eastern part is) fully aware of them. It's all strategy.

She's failed on nearly every level of leadership while in Olympia and her only campaign strategy for 2008 has been to haul out the same lame crap from the 2004 election against Rossi with a racist ad thrown in to highlight his italian heritage -bottom feeder move if there ever was one-.
Meanwhile, Dino can just slug away at real issues and point out the miserable failures made under her watch.

I'll take substance over pomp and circumstance 7 days of the week and twice on Sunday.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 06:57 AM
9. The 2004 Washington Gubernatorial election resulted in three vote counts. Mr. Rossi succeeded in two consecutive counts and Ms. Gregoire one. By that reckoning, one might conclude there is half the doubt that Mr. Rossi lost the election compared to half the confidence that Ms. Gregoire won. Many during that episode were traumatized over the manner in which election officials permitted the handling of ballot materials. Indeed, an admonishment issued by the Court in Wenatchee articulated its frustration with a cultural condition that may have brought about the uncertainty. Thank goodness for those willing to brave stress and potential nervous conditions crafting laws that endeavor to bring equity to our society. Right or wrong, ultimately the law placed the present governor in office. But the candidates would have preferred a decisive election—as would the electorate.

Much talk this election season is devoted to bringing change to Olympia. Regardless of political persuasion or how the last election is perceived, we, the voters, are in the best position to affect change in government. Let your voice be heard in the process. Take part. Make a difference this November by casting your vote.

Posted by: TacomaBlizzard on August 15, 2008 08:13 AM
10. 'Take part. Make a difference this November by casting your vote.'

Indeed, well said...and I would add don't be swayed by symbolism over substance; remember John Edwards fooled many! :)

Posted by: Duffman on August 15, 2008 08:23 AM
11. TacomaBlizzard: I wish I had the opportunity to vote for change in Olympia. My very, very liberal representitive is running unopposed. The only good news is that my senator is one of the few "R's" left.

Posted by: RJK on August 15, 2008 09:00 AM
12. Duffie
John Edwards fooled many! :)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sorry Duff. He only fooled people who are so easly fooled.

Most of us knew he was a fake from day one.

Well he can now say he's just like JFK.

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on August 15, 2008 09:00 AM
13. "I'd prefer Dino's ads stick to facts about his opponent and her 4 year rampage on the average family in this state."

Haha, compared to the President over the last 8 years, that's nothing. No one has done more to ruin the economy and the state of world affairs than Pres. Bush and the GOP Congress. Heck, even Russia doesn't respect us anymore because they know we're so bogged down fighting in Iraq & Afghanistan all we have is weak diplomatic threats. Meanwhile our dollar value is on par with the Mexican Peso and inflation is rising like there's no tomorrow. All that pork-barrel spending sure looked nice but now the US taxpayer is left footing the bill they can't afford.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 09:18 AM
14. Mr Not so real.

O-yeah Russia has always respected us. LOL

I bet when you were in school you learned Stalin was a great man who helped his people too.

Gezzzz

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on August 15, 2008 09:22 AM
15. I know this is off topic but the comment at #13 that "even Russia doesn't respect us anymore because they know we're so bogged down fighting in Iraq & Afghanistan all we have is weak diplomatic threats."

This is the new template of the left that has been criticizing Bush for waging war and not diplomacy in the middle east. Now they're saying that diplomacy shows that we are "weak". What does the left suggest, that we invade Georgia and begin a new Vietnam?

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 15, 2008 09:25 AM
16. Dimwit democrats conveniently forget the role they played in getting the war started in Iraq.

Posted by: NW Denizen on August 15, 2008 09:36 AM
17. Sorry Mr.Realist, I apparently thought the thread was about Mr. Rossi and Gov. Gregoire and their campaign to lead Washington state.

...but it is always amusing how the Bush derangment syndrome (BDS) sufferers just can't seem to hold back their pychosis. Thanks for the laugh.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 09:46 AM
18. @14
Russia respected us when we had the man power/ability to put our money/troops where our mouth was (see Cold War). In fact the USSR bankrupted themselves trying to be defend themselves from the USA. Too bad someone like you in the US Military (judging by your name) can't understand that.

Now all we have is a lame-duck President who kinda did the same thing Russia did and now we're paying for it via my wallet. We're so bogged down over in the Middle East that there's really nothing we can do to help the freedom loving people of the Georgian democracy except issue idle threats.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 09:48 AM
19. I fail to see how the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would make Russia disrespect us.

Remember that Russia went to Afghanistan and basically got handed their heads. We went into Iraq and Afghanistan in the same year, deposed both governments, set up new governments in their places, etc.

Yes, there is still insurgent activity both places, but Russia has that too even in areas where they've controlled the government for decades. (Anyone else remember the ugly incidents where terrorists took over the theatre and the elementary school with associated loss of life.)

China also has emerging terrorist issues, but that doesn't make them pushovers either.

Posted by: johnny on August 15, 2008 09:54 AM
20. @17
No derangement syndrome here, just the facts. =)

Inflation was up over 5% just last quarter, check.

Dollar hit all time lows just last year, check.

Republicans passing wild pork-barrel spending, check (see Bridge to Nowhere).

Bogged down in overseas wars with no end in sight, check.

US Taxpayer footing the bill for said pork-barrel spending, check.

US Economy in recession/stagnation, check.

Dinno Rossi proposing expensive items that Wash. State can't afford without raising taxes, check.

Nice attempt at a dismissal, sounds like you've got Bush Delusion Syndrome, you know the syndrome where people ignore all the hard facts to paint Bush as a great President.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 10:03 AM
21. Johnny, our troops are involved in two minor wars, even if we wanted to we can't spare the manpower/resources to help Georgia. Russia knows this and will just overthrow what was the country-formerly-known-as-Georgia in a few days.

So much for the US policy standing up and supporting democracy/freedom int he world. All the defense we have to support people who rise up for freedom and democracy worldwide is empty threats. President Bush is clearly the Neville Chamberlain for the 21st Century.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 10:17 AM
22. 18.

"Russia respected us when we had the man power/ability to put our money/troops where our mouth was (see Cold War)."

The Soviet Union respected our ability to dump 500 MIRVS on their sorry asses. (See MAD) I'm sure they still do.

" In fact the USSR bankrupted themselves trying to be defend themselves from the USA."

Just like a dimwit liberal to be sympathetic toward communist murderers.

" Now all we have is a lame-duck President who kinda did the same thing Russia did and now we're paying for it via my wallet."

Here's a suggestion for you. I know of at least one other dimwit who did this. Go to your employer and tell him/her that you are outraged that your tax dollars are going to support the war, and demand that your salary be cut. Put your money where your mouth is.

" We're so bogged down over in the Middle East that there's really nothing we can do to help the freedom loving people of the Georgian democracy except issue idle threats."

Oh baloney! If President Bush sent troops to Georgia, you would be pissing and moaning about that too. By the way, you do know that the Georgia in question is in Europe, don't you?

Posted by: NW Denizen on August 15, 2008 10:22 AM
23. @ 20 ~ "...Nice attempt at a dismissal.."

Nope, Just prefer to stay on the thread topic. Otherwise it devolves into what you'll find at Goldy's barnyard pen over at HA. When Bush is running for Governor of Washington, your posts may have some relevency, but until then, it's an obvious sign of advanced BDS to deflect to Bush to cover for Ms. Gregoires massive failures here at home....you know, Washington state.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 10:26 AM
24. back to the topic at hand...

duffy, with the chrissy queens record of dead and abused children under her DSHS, I would think she would run from any/all kid associations. ALSO, teachers, ministers etc. are lectured not to touch a kid with even a comforting hug and the chrissy queen makes ads doing it.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 15, 2008 11:25 AM
25. @22
Just like a dimwit liberal to be sympathetic toward communist murderers.

Just like a conservative, change the subject rather that acknowledge the truth.

Go to your employer and tell him/her that you are outraged that your tax dollars are going to support the war, and demand that your salary be cut.

How about we just tax registered Republicans more to pay for all the obscene and unprecedented spending that occurred under their leadership. That seems a much more realistic solution. Pay as you party does. =)

you do know that the Georgia in question is in Europe, don't you?

Georgia resides to the east of the Black Sea therefore making it a part of Asia. Thanks for making it abundantly clear to all of us that a lack of basic geography knowledge is the least of your problems.

@23
Pointing me to a liberal website is hardly staying on topic. It's far more likely that you just don't have a clue and are a neo-con apologist like your buddy NW Denzien.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 11:30 AM
26. @ 25 Mr. Surrealist ~ I didn't point you to a website you sot. If you're unable to stay on the topic of the gubernatorial race here in Washington state, then perhaps the prudent thing to do is not post at all.

The Governor can't run on her record so she runs attack/racist ads on Rossi. Can you explain why,sir? or is your only answer for that question to rant like a raving madman "BUSH, NEO-CON" like a trained chimp?

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 11:39 AM
27. Mr. Realist is Mr. Excusemaker...just like Gregoire is Governor Excusemaker.

Instead of focusing on the topic of this thread..Governor's Race, Mr. Excusemaker hijacks the thread and talks about Bush and National issues.

Bush ain't running again...thank God!

Mr. Excusemaker can only deflect, marginalize, minimize and change the subject because of Gregoire's woeful documented record which includes increasing spending $8 BILLION in the face of a recession leading us into a $2.9 BILLION deficit for the next biennium with NO PLAN on whether to cut expenses or raise taxes!

Until Gregoire comes up with a specific plan (and a belated phone-baloney smoke-and-mirrors hiring freeze and "possible" spending cuts WAY TOO LATE is not a plan!) she will continue to plummet in the polls.

People do want change.
Gregoire is status quo TAX-AND-SQUANDER!!

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on August 15, 2008 11:42 AM
28. 25.

"Georgia resides to the east of the Black Sea therefore making it a part of Asia."

ROFLMFAO!! And, it took you a whole hour to look it up. Bwahahahahahahah!

Okay, I'm done. Enough fun for today.

Posted by: NW Denizen on August 15, 2008 11:56 AM
29. Gregoire is status quo TAX-AND-SQUANDER!!

Haha, nice totally untrue soundbite. Rossi is bloat and spend. He'll bloat the budget deficit by spending money we don't have. Meanwhile he'll giving mental hand jobs to his misguided buddies at the Building Industry Association by letting them pollute Washington's pristine environment. Meanwhile our state's kids will end up like NW Denzien who doesn't have a clue about Geography (or anything else for that matter) because he was too busy studying Creationism at his elitist Catholic private school to get a quality education.

Vote Gregoire, let's stop Washington State from being the next Kansas.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 11:57 AM
30. Please, let us not forget; what we're after here is a solid and comprehensive education system State-wide much like they have in S. Carolina. :

'In a less than shining moment, Caitlin Upton, the 18 year old Miss South Carolina Teen, answered a fairly simple pagent question with a nonsensical answer:
Q: Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the United States on a world map. Why do you think this is?
A: I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as in, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children.'

Posted by: Duffman on August 15, 2008 12:05 PM
31. The Governor can't run on her record so she runs attack/racist ads on Rossi.

ROFL, She had an ad that had the theme from The Sopranos in it. Rossi's racism charge is a pathetic lie and a distraction from the fact he has done jack squat for the past four years. I would expect plenty more lies coming from the Rossi camp because he clearly doesn't have any worthwhile accomplishments to campaign on since the last time he ran. Rossi is going to fail just like I-933 did (which surprise, Rossi's buddies at the Building Industry Association funded).

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 12:14 PM
32. @20 Mr. Realist:
Holy crap. I know you didn't mean to but you just made the argument to replace Queen Christine. You can take everything wrong with WA, put one of your "checks" after it and place it at the feet of the Queen. And in the larger sense the democrat party.

You are a laugh riot.

Posted by: MrRcguy on August 15, 2008 12:59 PM
33. Mr. Surrealist @ 31 " Rossi's racism charge is a pathetic lie and a distraction from the fact he has done jack squat for the past four years."


Here lad, let me fix that for you so that it fits with reality -

(Gregoire's) racism charge is a pathetic lie and a distraction from the fact (she) has done jack squat for the past four years.

The the empty pantsuit in Olympia had the gall to claim the Rossi campaign was "racist" for exposing her receiving campaign cotributions (Fact) from the casino tribes by way of the WS/DNC.
Were you part of the feigned hysteria group that agreed with her?

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 01:43 PM
34. You cry about the tribes giving money to Democrats. Who in their right mind would give money to the GOP?

Anyone that thinks Republiconvicts belong in government belongs in a mental institution.

The tribes understand the GOP only wants to help the super rich, and large multi national corporations rape our country even more. Native Americans don't belong to these two groups. At least they understand who is on their side, and who is not.

Vote Republicon if you want to see America hurt even more.

Posted by: All Facts Support My Positions on August 15, 2008 02:02 PM
35. The only reason the Republicans go after the Indian Tribes is because they're not getting their share of the pie. Why the hell would the Indian tribes donate to the Republican Party after having to deal with Sen. Gordon who tried to screw them over every chance he got? We signed treaties with the tribes that the Republicans would soon just forget. Typical of conservatives, can't hold true to their word.

It always amuses me, on one hand the Republicans oppose gambling on moral grounds, yet want it to stick a gaming parlor at every tavern in the state. Clearly it shows that Conservatives are a bunch of greedy opportunists who would happily throw out generations of established morality out the window for the opportunity to make a quick buck.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 02:51 PM
36. Few Facts support my Assumptions @ 34 - " You cry about the tribes giving money to Democrats."

False. My problem is with Governor Gregoire's quid pro quo that she received to the detriment of Washington state taxpayers.

Maybe this line from the Seattle P-I may inform you a bit. Don't let the facts get in the way of your distorted reality.

By CHRIS MCGANN
P-I CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT

Gov. Chris Gregoire is benefiting from more than $650,000 in campaign contributions from
Indian tribes that hit the jackpot in 2005 when she killed a gambling compact potentially worth more than $140
million a year to the state.
Unlike 22 other states that collect millions from revenue sharing agreements for tribal gambling, Washington gets no money from tribal casinos under the compact that Gregoire renegotiated with the Spokane Tribe.

What kind of ignoramus would take that deal? Answer: Christine Gregoire


Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2008 03:48 PM
37. You cry about the tribes giving money to Democrats. Who in their right mind would give money to the GOP? Posted by All Facts Support My Positions at August 15, 2008 02:02 PM


It appears quite a few

McCain raised $27 million in July, his largest one-month fundraising haul since clinching the GOP presidential nomination, and had $21 million available to spend, while the RNC brought in nearly $26 million, and had $75 million on hand to compete with the Democrats.

McCain, himself, now has 600,000 donors, while the party announced it had reached 1 million.

I'm beginning to think that Factually Challenged, the obfusCATOR, and Mr Delusional are all plants and foils to give thinking folk opportunities to prove points of liberal lunacy.

RE the chrissy queen, more bad news gushing forth from her throne. Save them, chrissy queen, save them!


Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 15, 2008 03:53 PM
38. Poor Ragnar, so disillusioned. That $27 Mil is diddly compared to what Obama's take in from ordinary citizens on a given day. Look at the facts, single small donations, military donations, middle-class donations, all donate to Obama and not to poor old Sen. Flip-Flop.

McCain, himself, now has 600,000 donors, while the party announced it had reached 1 million.

Wow, and Sen. Obama is at two million individual donors and has the monetary support of the military and their families. That's pretty sad given that Sen. Flip-Flop (who practically flunked out of West Point) actually served honorably in the military. In the past members of the military have backed one of their own, guess they agree with the rest of America that Ol' Sen. Flip-Flop is terrible candidate.

Meanwhile Republicans who are in tight races don't want to be seen with him. They won't come to the convention, they won't have photo-ops with Ol' Sen. Flip-Flop, one GOP rep went as far as to say "No one wants to attend a funeral".

Looks like it's you Ragnar are the one who is delusional. What does a power outage have to do with anything....did you read the story to find out the cause? Doubt it because otherwise you would know that the outage has about as much to do with Gregoire as Punxsutawney Phil has to do with the weather. Get a clue or at least your facts straight.

Posted by: Mr. Realist on August 15, 2008 04:31 PM
39. Wow, and Sen. Obama is at two million individual donors and has the monetary support of the military and their families.

About That "Deployed Troops Favor Obama" numbers...

Let's take those numbers and play with them a little.

Minimum donation to be counted by Open Secrets: $200

Average donation to Obama: $455 and change.
Average donation to McCain: $410 and change

WHOA! HOLD THE PRESSES! B-HO HAS HIM BY AND AVERAVGE OF $35!

Total donations to Democrats: $63,882 Total donations to Republicans: $76,027

OOPS... THERE'S A PROBLEM. B-HO IS A DEMOCRAP IF WE REMEMBER CORRECTLY

Average donation to Democrats: $456 and change Average donation to Republicans: $500 and change

OOPS... THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. B-HO IS STILL A DEMOCRAP IF WE REMEMBER CORRECTLY


Total donations: 292
Total donations to Democrats: 140
Total donations to Republicans: 152
Total number of deployed troops donating to Obama and McCain: 160

Total number of Americn troops deployed abroad: about 370,000 Total number of deployed troops in Iraq: about 170,000 Total number of troops deployed in Afghanistan: about 20,000
Percentage of US troops deployed overseas donating at least $200 to presidential campaigns this year: 0.079%. Or, in simpler terms, less than one in ten thousand. Or, roughly, one in 12,500.
So yeah, Obama has outraised McCain from US troops stationed overseas, by overwhelming ratios in both number and amount. But the actual numbers are so damned small as to be statistically irrelevant.
And I think I kinda like that 99.9% of our troops aren't spending at least $200 on presidential campaigns.

Those wacky libs and their fun with numbers... comes back to bite them every time...just ask the chrissy queen.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 15, 2008 09:36 PM
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