Liberal Attack Ads

[August1991]

You can see them all here.

Drum rolls, out-of-focus Hitler-type face and old quotes.

If the Liberals had more money, and had bought up all the ad space available, I suspect anyone watching TV from now until 23 January would be getting Harper and that woman's voice all day, every day. The Liberals seem to think Harper is their ticket to victory.

I notice the Liberals have nothing on same sex marriage, and there's no gun pointing at the camera. Needless to say, there are no such ads in French.

----

Watch and form your own opinion but I find the woman's smarmy voice and question at the end of each ad a bit much. It makes the ad seem flippant, and smart-alecky. That's not the image the Liberals want to portray right now.

We'll find out soon if this stuff works against Harper.

[shoop]

These ads definitely are hard hitting.

The big question is will they be enough?

Either people will continue listening to the Conservatives policy-driven campaign, or they will turn back to the Liberals. Two weeks to get comfortable with a Conservative government may have been two weeks too many for the Liberals...

[August1991]

These ads definitely are hard hitting.

The big question is will they be enough?

Either people will continue listening to the Conservatives policy-driven campaign, or they will turn back to the Liberals. Two weeks to get comfortable with a Conservative government may have been two weeks too many for the Liberals...

No doubt, these ads are the first salvo. (Note that they were cheap to produce.) I suspect we can expect more elaborate ads to come.

In the past few weeks, the Liberals have called in every "loan" made to ad agencies.

But do the Liberals have the money to run the ads often enough, and are the slots available?

[fellowtraveller]

They'll work, they always do.

The more the headlines scream "Tories will win", the less likely it is that they will.

[Rovik]

I have to admit, these are especially NEGATIVE ads and there are three possible scenarios (in my opinion):

1. Voters will be pissed at Liberals for their extreme negativity and will gravitate toward either the NDP or the Conservatives.

2. The ads will scare voters away from the Conservatives and will gravitate toward either the NDP or Liberals.

3. Voters will not like how the Liberals have gone so negative but at the same time will second guess Harper and his Conservatives and gravitate toward the NDP.

That's my take, I'm hoping for option #3 but who knows what will happen.

[kimmy]

I have to admit, these are especially NEGATIVE ads and there are three possible scenarios (in my opinion):

1. Voters will be pissed at Liberals for their extreme negativity and will gravitate toward either the NDP or the Conservatives.

2. The ads will scare voters away from the Conservatives and will gravitate toward either the NDP or Liberals.

3. Voters will not like how the Liberals have gone so negative but at the same time will second guess Harper and his Conservatives and gravitate toward the NDP.

I think this is a good assessment. Probably all 3 will happen to some degree, the question is to what extent will each of these occur. There's also scenario 4, which is that the ads don't change people's voting intentions but do harden their resolve and increase their dislike of the opposing groups.

Whichever effect predominates, I think the end result will be an increase in cynicism and antipathy in this process.

-k

[Shakeyhands]

Why do you view these as 'negative'? They highlight quotes from various sources and talk about Conservative policy, I would think as CPC'rs you'd stand up and behind CPC policy... ? No? The ones I have seen so far seem reasonable enough.

[August1991]

Why do you view these as 'negative'? They highlight quotes from various sources and talk about Conservative policy, I would think as CPC'rs you'd stand up and behind CPC policy... ? No? The ones I have seen so far seem reasonable enough.

The ads quote old statements of Harper without explaining their context. The added editorial comments attempt to explain the statements as somehow anti-Canadian. The drumbeat and the neutral female voice have connotations.

The ads are examples of the guilt-by-association arguments used by Joseph McCarthy. Ironically, the ads decry Harper's connection to America yet the ads themselves are typical of modern American political campaigns. Ads exactly of this sort were used by Bush Jnr in both his campaigns.

Image-obsessed people like Warren Kinsella and Karl Rove believe strongly in the political effectiveness of such ads, particularly if well done and if they appear at the end of a campaign.

It's debateable whether these ads are well done and whether the Liberal timing is right. We'll find out soon how English-Canadians respond to negative ads in 2006. I have a suspicion that negative ads are losing their shock-value.

[kimmy]

Why do you view these as 'negative'? They highlight quotes from various sources and talk about Conservative policy, I would think as CPC'rs you'd stand up and behind CPC policy... ? No? The ones I have seen so far seem reasonable enough.

I went to the Liberal site and so far have only watched the Atlantic one. It features the "culture of defeatism" quotes, taken out of context from a speech that actually talked about empowering the Atlantic provinces by giving them a bigger stake in offshore resources. It features "war-drums of doom" music. And it presents Harper speaking in front of a backdrop of... himself, a photo of his eyes blown up so large that he looks like Sauron.

Yes, I'd consider that negative. It's not talking about policy positions (the Liberals were so opposed to Harper's policy on Atlantic Canada that Martin implimented it himself last year.) It's presenting a scary image of Harper, scary music, and negative quotes. I do consider that negative.

-k

[Guest eureka]

I don't look at ads but what I hear is not out of context at all. Harper made these statements and many more that are stand alone shots of his views.

[USA_Liberal]

I have to admit, these are especially NEGATIVE ads and there are three possible scenarios (in my opinion):

1. Voters will be pissed at Liberals for their extreme negativity and will gravitate toward either the NDP or the Conservatives.

2. The ads will scare voters away from the Conservatives and will gravitate toward either the NDP or Liberals.

3. Voters will not like how the Liberals have gone so negative but at the same time will second guess Harper and his Conservatives and gravitate toward the NDP.

That's my take, I'm hoping for option #3 but who knows what will happen.

your 3 points are more than likely the scenario, but there's a fourth. if i am a liberal strategist, i would encourage less personal attacks on Harper, and simply show his track record especially his willingness to take canadian troops to iraq, but make sure to show Harper's scary face in enlarged format.

Here's the 4th view. My wife was gonna vote conservative until she saw a conservative ad in prairie smalltowns where people show their dismay at the liberals. She made up her mind to send the conservatives a message. this whole thing can play out in so many ways. those tv ads have the ability to do more damage than good.

[The Honest Politician]

Why do you view these as 'negative'? They highlight quotes from various sources and talk about Conservative policy, I would think as CPC'rs you'd stand up and behind CPC policy... ? No? The ones I have seen so far seem reasonable enough.

I went to the Liberal site and so far have only watched the Atlantic one. It features the "culture of defeatism" quotes, taken out of context from a speech that actually talked about empowering the Atlantic provinces by giving them a bigger stake in offshore resources. It features "war-drums of doom" music. And it presents Harper speaking in front of a backdrop of... himself, a photo of his eyes blown up so large that he looks like Sauron.

Yes, I'd consider that negative. It's not talking about policy positions (the Liberals were so opposed to Harper's policy on Atlantic Canada that Martin implimented it himself last year.) It's presenting a scary image of Harper, scary music, and negative quotes. I do consider that negative.

-k

I saw that particular speech when Harper made it. It was right after the interview he gave where you could see he was reminding himself to smile. In the first week of the campaign. He did say there was a "culture of defeatism" in Atlantic Canada. He did go on to say he wants to change that, but he did say there was a culture of defeatism currently in Atlantic Canada. If Atlantic Canadians get insulted over that, was apparently a risk he was willing to take. It still doesn't change the fact he said it and meant it.

[August1991]

This an interesting article about TV ads. The article makes plain that this aspect of campaigns is much more complicated than our discussion here:

The CBC is allowing parties to shift ad time between regions up to five days in advance of air date.

---

On the weekend, the Liberals released regional ads for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and B.C., including one B.C. ad that attacks Jack Layton for being willing to work with a Conservative government.

G & M

I'll note that both Bush and Kerry each had overall campaign budgets of about $230 million of which each spent $60 million solely for TV ads during the last week of the campaign.

[August1991]

There's a truly bizarre Liberal attack ad in French now.

It attacks the Conservatives (mentioning same sex marriage among other things) and then notes that the Bloc will be incapable of doing anything to stop the Conservative agenda. (I;m not sure of the logic there.)

The ad finishes with a St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of the Protestant Church of Ireland. WTF?

[August1991]

Something else.

Is Shauna MacDonald (promo girl on the CBC) the actress used for the voice overs on the Liberal ads?

[tml12]

Something else.

Is Shauna MacDonald (promo girl on the CBC) the actress used for the voice overs on the Liberal ads?

I don't know but that would showcase CBC's Liberal bias.

[USA_Liberal]

There's a truly bizarre Liberal attack ad in French now.

It attacks the Conservatives (mentioning same sex marriage among other things) and then notes that the Bloc will be incapable of doing anything to stop the Conservative agenda. (I;m not sure of the logic there.)

The ad finishes with a St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of the Protestant Church of Ireland. WTF?

the logic is quite simple. separatism apart, the bloc, ndp, and liberals share a left leaning view of canada. that's what sets the conservatives apart as the odd ball. the liberals are telling quebecers that in the middle of harpers "right fury", they'll be hapless. by voting liberal, at least they face no threat to their social beliefs.

[Argus]

I don't look at ads but what I hear is not out of context at all. Harper made these statements and many more that are stand alone shots of his views.

Oh well, if such a neutral, unbiased, honest source like you says so....

[tml12]

There's a truly bizarre Liberal attack ad in French now.

It attacks the Conservatives (mentioning same sex marriage among other things) and then notes that the Bloc will be incapable of doing anything to stop the Conservative agenda. (I;m not sure of the logic there.)

The ad finishes with a St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of the Protestant Church of Ireland. WTF?

the logic is quite simple. separatism apart, the bloc, ndp, and liberals share a left leaning view of canada. that's what sets the conservatives apart as the odd ball. the liberals are telling quebecers that in the middle of harpers "right fury", they'll be hapless. by voting liberal, at least they face no threat to their social beliefs.

I don't mean to scare you but the Liberal Party of late has been campaigning on the left and governing from the right. Martin is a fiscal conservative, as is Harper. Martin is probably a centrist socially, and Harper is a bit more to the right on social issues. That is what separates these two.

[Riverwind]

The ad finishes with a St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of the Protestant Church of Ireland. WTF?

A subtle reminder that Quebec will turn in Northern Ireland if the separatists win a referendum?

[The Honest Politician]

There's a truly bizarre Liberal attack ad in French now.

It attacks the Conservatives (mentioning same sex marriage among other things) and then notes that the Bloc will be incapable of doing anything to stop the Conservative agenda. (I;m not sure of the logic there.)

The ad finishes with a St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of the Protestant Church of Ireland. WTF?

I think your "St. Patrick's Cross" is supposed to be an X on a ballot. Nice try though.

[Shakeyhands]

There's a truly bizarre Liberal attack ad in French now.

It attacks the Conservatives (mentioning same sex marriage among other things) and then notes that the Bloc will be incapable of doing anything to stop the Conservative agenda. (I;m not sure of the logic there.)

The ad finishes with a St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of the Protestant Church of Ireland. WTF?

the logic is quite simple. separatism apart, the bloc, ndp, and liberals share a left leaning view of canada. that's what sets the conservatives apart as the odd ball. the liberals are telling quebecers that in the middle of harpers "right fury", they'll be hapless. by voting liberal, at least they face no threat to their social beliefs.

I don't mean to scare you but the Liberal Party of late has been campaigning on the left and governing from the right. Martin is a fiscal conservative, as is Harper. Martin is probably a centrist socially, and Harper is a bit more to the right on social issues. That is what separates these two

Are you vying for understatement of the year? Harper is so far right he's hitting the curb pal, thats what happens when Extreme Religious groups fund your campaign****

*** assuming so, why else wouldn't he state who his benefactors are?

[shoop]

All of his contributors have been named. Dig through the files yourself. www.elections.ca

I don't mean to scare you but the Liberal Party of late has been campaigning on the left and governing from the right. Martin is a fiscal conservative, as is Harper. Martin is probably a centrist socially, and Harper is a bit more to the right on social issues. That is what separates these two

Are you vying for understatement of the year? Harper is so far right he's hitting the curb pal, thats what happens when Extreme Religious groups fund your campaign****

*** assuming so, why else wouldn't he state who his benefactors are?

[Shakeyhands]

All of his contributors have been named. Dig through the files yourself. www.elections.ca

I don't mean to scare you but the Liberal Party of late has been campaigning on the left and governing from the right. Martin is a fiscal conservative, as is Harper. Martin is probably a centrist socially, and Harper is a bit more to the right on social issues. That is what separates these two

Are you vying for understatement of the year? Harper is so far right he's hitting the curb pal, thats what happens when Extreme Religious groups fund your campaign****

*** assuming so, why else wouldn't he state who his benefactors are?

Shoop... we both know that all of his contributors have not been named.

We also heard the other three leaders say the same thing last night. Come on.

[Argus]

I don't mean to scare you but the Liberal Party of late has been campaigning on the left and governing from the right. Martin is a fiscal conservative, as is Harper. Martin is probably a centrist socially, and Harper is a bit more to the right on social issues. That is what separates these two

Are you vying for understatement of the year? Harper is so far right he's hitting the curb pal, thats what happens when Extreme Religious groups fund your campaign

If Harper was in the United States he'd be considered, in all likelihood, a moderate Democrat. His position on same sex marriage would put him on the left wing of the Democratic Party. His position on health care would put him on the left wing of the Democratic Party. His position on abortion is moderate enough to put him anywhere from centre to centre right of the Democrats.

If he was in the UK he'd be somewhere between the centre of British Tories, and the centre right of the Liberals.

Even in Canada none of his positions are particularly shocking or right wing. Unless, of course, you consider every Canadian who doesn't believe in same sex marriage to be "way out there" on the right.