The NDP Fight Back with Their Own Ads

[cybercoma]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIH-dknpjVQ

This is the political climate that the Conservatives have created and I find it appalling. Canada under Conservative rule is one non-stop political campaign with parties churning out their respective propaganda.

While I'm disappointed in the NDP for playing along with stupid games, what else are they to do? The Liberals ignored the Conservative ads and it crushed Ignatieff come election time because they had built up a narrative before the writ was even dropped.

Edit: corrected link embedding Edited July 10, 2012 by cybercoma

[Moonbox]

The climate of comical/ridiculous attack ads started with Paul Martin against Harper. You don't remember his attempted portrayal of Harper as Darth Vader? That really turned around and bit them in the ass, especially when you come out with such poor choices as Dion or Ignatieff as your next leader.

Harper's attack ads in the last election were so infantile they were insulting (remember the circus music?) and I think that Canadians saw them for what they were, but his opposition was so meagre that he pulled a majority off despite it.

His attack ads in the Dion election, however, were extremely well articulated, as were his pre-election attack ads against Ignatieff. People can complain about this tactic all they want, but the only alternative is to get Canadians to actually care and become involved in politics (and be less stupid) which isn't likely to happen.

[cybercoma]

Harper released an ad about Mulcair first and this is a response.

[capricorn]

This is the political climate that the Conservatives have created and I find it appalling.

The very nature of politics makes it that political parties use certain tools to capture the attention of voters. Attack ads are a relatively new phenomena yet as we've seen, they are effective if done properly. Ten years down the road something else will come along that surpasses attack ads in how they attract the attention of the voting public. All political parties have the capability nowadays to produce them, albeit within their financial means. Of course, parties will have to hone their fundraising skills and processes to keep up with the parties who manage to consistently collect regular donations from their base.

Canada under Conservative rule is one non-stop political campaign with parties churning out their respective propaganda.

Many Quebecers would argue that the Liberal sponsorship program was nothing but a continuous political propaganda campaign to snuff out the separatist element in their province. Hence, it could be said that what constitutes propaganda is in the eye of the beholder.

While I'm disappointed in the NDP for playing along with stupid games, what else are they to do?

I'm not disappointed at all. They're fighting fire with fire. Overall, I think this attack ad is pretty good although attacking the Conservatives over their economic record may not hit the mark. Still, it makes people think and that's a good thing.

Edited July 10, 2012 by capricorn

[cybercoma]

The very nature of politics makes it that political parties use certain tools to capture the attention of voters. Attack ads are a relatively new phenomena yet as we've seen, they are effective if done properly. Ten years down the road something else will come along that surpasses attack ads in how they attract the attention of the voting public. All political parties have the capability nowadays to produce them, albeit within their financial means. Of course, parties will have to hone their fundraising skills and processes to keep up with the parties who manage to consistently collect regular donations from their base.

It's not the attack ads themselves that is the problem, in my opinion mind you. It's the never-ending political campaign that's a problem, imo.

Many Quebecers would argue that the Liberal sponsorship program was nothing but a continuous political propaganda campaign to snuff out the separatist element in their province. Hence, it could be said that what constitutes propaganda is in the eye of the beholder.

You might be right. I can see that argument and I might agree. However, that was a different sort of campaign than an election campaign.

I'm not disappointed at all. They're fighting fire with fire. Overall, I think this attack ad is pretty good although attacking the Conservatives over their economic record may not hit the mark. Still, it makes people thing and that's a good thing.

Attacking the economic record is exactly what they need to do. If the Tories have their economics called into question, they have nothing left. Edited July 10, 2012 by cybercoma

[Argus]

It's not the attack ads themselves that is the problem, in my opinion mind you. It's the never-ending political campaign that's a problem, imo.

It's a result of election spending laws. The parties collect a lot of money, but can't legally spend it during an election campaign because of spending limits. So what else are they to do with the excess?

[cybercoma]

It's a result of election spending laws. The parties collect a lot of money, but can't legally spend it during an election campaign because of spending limits. So what else are they to do with the excess?

Give it back.

[na85]

Oh good, more American-style politics.

Why has nobody passed a law banning this tripe?

[bush_cheney2004]

Oh good, more American-style politics.

Why has nobody passed a law banning this tripe?

Because "American-style" politics is far less boring.

[Topaz]

There is truth to the statement. Harper is attacking Canadians that NEED most help. He did change EI and pension and has the largest deficit in Canadian history.If most Canadians asked themselves if they are better off today than 6-7 years ago, I would say the answer would be NO!

[bush_cheney2004]

...If most Canadians asked themselves if they are better off today than 6-7 years ago, I would say the answer would be NO!

Oh no! That's an "American-style" question...circa 1980 (Ronald Reagan).

[Moonlight Graham]

Oh good, more American-style politics.

Why has nobody passed a law banning this tripe?

Welcome to the Jerry Springer Show.

Do we need laws banning freedom of speech? Or do we need citizens who aren't morons who are easily swayed by these types of ads? They use these ads because they work. I say pass a law banning people from being morons. But I guess that would be against freedom of thought/belief/opinion

Edited July 11, 2012 by Moonlight Graham

[kraychik]

Politics has been a dirty business for a lot longer than cybercoma seems to think. It certainly didn't start with Harper. I don't think we're polarized enough. We need more conservatives drawing lines in the sand between themselves and the socialists and communists that compose much of the left.

It should also be noted that Canadian politics are dirtier than American politics, so it's quite ironic when the left invokes terms like "American-style" politics in order to smear an opponent (which they did to each other, for example, during the NDP leadership race) while using anti-American bait to appeal to its base. There is far less respect between Canadian politicians than between American politicians, and far less professionalism.

[kraychik]

Oh good, more American-style politics.

Why has nobody passed a law banning this tripe?

Thank you for killing two birds with one stone with this post. In one line you've exposed the anti-Americanism endemic to the left, as well as the left's complete lack of respect for freedom of speech and expression. The best way to expose the left is just to let them talk.

[kraychik]

Because "American-style" politics is far less boring.

Canadian political hit pieces, at least the thirty-second TV spots, are far more slanderous than in the USA. Canada certainly doesn't need any tips from America when it comes to playing dirty politics, which includes outright lying and slanderous innuendo.

[Shady]

This is the political climate that the Conservatives have created and I find it appalling.

What a complete joke. Perhaps Harper learned from your ilk and their "secret agenda" ads from the previous decade. Or perhaps he learned from the attack ads aimed at Day before that.

[punked]

What a complete joke. Perhaps Harper learned from your ilk and their "secret agenda" ads from the previous decade. Or perhaps he learned from the attack ads aimed at Day before that.

Those were never NDP ads Shady. You are getting your parties mixed up, oh right everyone who isn't a Conservative is the same I forgot.

[mentalfloss]

Can't say I'm happy with this move, but we'll see how it affects the polls soon enough.

[Newfoundlander]

I guess they're not above these anymore?

[Argus]

Give it back.

What planet are you living on?

[Argus]

There is truth to the statement. Harper is attacking Canadians that NEED most help. He did change EI and pension and has the largest deficit in Canadian history.If most Canadians asked themselves if they are better off today than 6-7 years ago, I would say the answer would be NO!

You people on the Left need to stop equating a lack of ability to give everyone all the money they want with being under attack.

The government only has so much money. It can only fund so much. You guys want it to fund absolutely everything and everyone. It's not possible. That's why, when such spending gets out of line, the govenrment has to, from time to time, trim it back. That happens whether the government is conservative, liberal, social democratic or communist. It really doesn't matter. You can't forever pay out more than you take in. Just ask the Greeks.

[capricorn]

I guess they're not above these anymore?

Who's to say the NDP and the Liberals wouldn't have launched more of these attack ads if they had as much money in their coffers as the Conservatives? It's never been about taking the high road it's always been about not being able to afford them.

Attack ads in between election campaigns were a rarity in Canadian politics but Harper has made them commonplace and more in keeping with the ugly tone of politics in the United States. Liberals never had enough money in their war chest to fight back and paid a huge price. The Dippers don’t have anywhere near the financial resources of the Conservatives either.

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/07/11/lawrence-martin-you-had-it-coming-prime-minister/

[Newfoundlander]

Who's to say the NDP and the Liberals wouldn't have launched more of these attack ads if they had as much money in their coffers as the Conservatives? It's never been about taking the high road it's always been about not being able to afford them.

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/07/11/lawrence-martin-you-had-it-coming-prime-minister/

The NDP use to let on that they wouldn't resort to attack ads, that they were more positive then that.

[Newfoundlander]

Can't say I'm happy with this move, but we'll see how it affects the polls soon enough.

Maybe, maybe not. The NDP won't be able to afford having these broadcasted on TV very much so the vast majority of Canadians will never see them, unlike CPC attack ads.

[capricorn]

The NDP use to let on that they wouldn't resort to attack ads, that they were more positive then that.

IMO, the NDP fibbed.