Politics Two Campaign Ads and a Campaign Ad Dare
Mike McGavick keeps saying he wants to run a different kind of campaign…an issues oriented campaign that sets an example for political discourse. It’s a nice sentiment, but, rather than actually running an issues oriented campaign, McGavick seems to be running a campaign about running an issues oriented campaign—without ever talking about the issues.
It’s super fucking annoying.
Here’s his latest TV ad:
Mike: I look to the example of Senator John McCain because you see a person who doesn’t look to his party first for how to vote, but to the needs of his country and to his conscience. Sen. McCain: The American people are sick of the bitter, poisoned atmosphere that we have in our nation’s Capitol. And that’s why we need Mike, who understands that what the people of Washington want is people who work together for the common good. Mike: I’m Mike McGavick, and I approve this ad.
The one McGavick ad I heard that does talk about the issues (it was about the GOP trifecta bill), was pour and stir GOP. That’d be fine…if, of course, McGavick’s other big theme wasn’t….bipartisanship.
As I wrote last July, the bipartisanship theme is McGavick’s clever way of campaigning in a year when it’s not such a good time to be a Republican. It also helps him sidestep Cantwell, whose positions are pretty popular.
Here’s what I wrote last July after checking out McGavick’s stump speech:
Who’s the “we” that has to get more serious about veterans’ health care? President Bush and the Republicans who control Congress, that’s who. But McGavick doesn’t name them—he can’t name them. What he can do—what he is doing, while Cantwell is AWOL—is seize on public disgust with Bush and the congressional Republicans by attacking government in general. McGavick is running with the public’s foul mood rather than being forced to run against it—or even against Cantwell.
Anyway, here’s McGavick’s latest radio ad about transcending partisanship. You’ll note, he doesn’t say anything about Cantwell—nor does he say where he’d break with his own party.
Here’s his latest Radio Ad:
Mike: The partisan nonsense that is ruining our nation must stop, and we can help stop it this November.
Announcer: Mike McGavick, willing to stand up and say, “enough.”
Mike: To look to your party first to know how to vote, what a wrong-minded concept.
Announcer: Mike McGavick, the candidate for Senate who will fight to change the destructive culture in Washington, D.C.
Mike: You work with others to solve problems, with open hearts and open minds.
Announcer: Washington, D.C., needs a change and Washington state needs a new senator. A true Northwestern voice of common sense, Mike McGavick.
Mike: That’s the Northwest way of doing things, and that’s the kind of senator I will be.
Announcer: Republican Mike McGavick. Reformer. Problem solver. For U.S. Senate.
Join the fight for change at MikeMcGavick.com
Paid for by Friends for Mike McGavick.
Here’s my dare for McGavick’s next ad about bipartisanship. I want him to come on and cite three policies where he differs from the GOP and three policies where his position is similar to the Democratic position.
Don't hold your breath.
To be honest, the Rethugs have used this exact same playbook since Reagan - it's hardly a new or innovative tack for them. Basically, pretend you're nice and avoid saying anything specific.
Unfortunately, it works WAY too often.