Merkley's first ad

Today, the Jeff Merkley for Senate campaign hits the airwaves with their first television ad.

Here's the spot:

(Hat tip to Forward Oregon.)

Discuss.

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    Love the ad. Considering that 40% of voters still don't know who Merkley is this is a great introduction. It highlights all of the successful progressive legislation that he pushed through the house and has a very statesman like feel to it.

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    I give Jeff serious props for putting a wave image in front of the clean energy section instead of just another shot of wind turbines. Turbines are great and all, but Oregon's wave energy sector deserves more attention.

  • Judy (unverified)
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    Boring!!!!!

  • Fr. John-Mark Gilhousen (unverified)
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    I think the lede is absolutely brilliant, "Tired of his party's inaction, Jeff Merkley led Democrats back to power..." at once affirming the core values of the Democratic Party, and the need for mobilizing it in a particular direction.

    What a great way to introduce the candidate!

    (Once again, let me disclose that I am expressing my own personal support of Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate, and not that of Progressive Democrats of Oregon which I serve as Communications Coordinator, and which has made no endorsement in the Oregon senatorial primary race.)

  • (Show?)

    same old same old. It will be mostly ignored. And we see that Merkley tacitly endorses the smears against Novick by putting Kamberg into the ad.

  • (Show?)

    Despite the negativity floating around these blogs, I really like the upbeat nature of the ad -- and especially how it touches both many themes and the the idea of inaction/change.

  • LT (unverified)
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    Sure TJ doesn't like the ad. It is a positive ad without gimmicks.

    It is also a great positive introduction.

  • Jack Sullivan (unverified)
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    Clearly, Merkley should have made an ad that appeals directly to bloggers like TJ. After all, voters don't vote. Bloggers do.

  • Runtmg (unverified)
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    It is a boring add. Right now, being boring is Merkley's strength as much as it is his weakness much like Novick's firebrand attitude is his strength and weakness.

    I feel like that this match between Merkley and Novick is like a power puncher (Novick) versus a ring strategist (Merkley).

    If Novick catches him off guard it's over but if Merkley defends himself well Novick will make a mistake by overreaching.

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    it IS a positive ad without gimmicks...which is why it's generic and forgettable. And if you're going to take a shot a blogger parochialism, keep in mind that I'm much more likely to care about or notice his ads than the typical voter. They'll have even less tolerance for something that doesn't catch the eye. The last ad was visually arresting, but was mostly meaningless. This one gets his content right, but the presentation is like 1,000 other ads.

    And fair or not, his ads will be compared to his opponent's. Let's just say the odds on going viral are a touch smaller.

  • ameeks (unverified)
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    This is a great ad and the perfect way to introduce Jeff Merkley to voters. Anyone who sees this will know immediately where Jeff stands on the most important issues for the 2008 election cycle:

    Opposes predatory lending? -- check! Supports health care reform? -- check! Opposes Big-Oil/ Supports renewable energy? -- check! Supports a woman's right to choose? -- check! Opposed war in Iraq from the start? -- check!

    Did I mention that he gets tired of inaction and has led the local democratic party to victory? Wow! That sounds like a values system I could vote for twice!

  • BCM (unverified)
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    He intends on winning with this?

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    I think ameeks hits the nail. Politically it's a very effective introduction. The viewer not only learns the candidate's name but also his policy priorities and list of accomplishments.

  • Kev (unverified)
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    Upbeat? Positive?

    This is the kind of video you play at a funeral when you're trying to get people to cry about the death of somebody they never really liked.

    I hope the TV consultant didn't charge for the production of that one. I can't imagine this poll-tested well, so the Merkley campaign must be flying on the cheap.

  • BCM (unverified)
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    Uh oh, Jeff!

    Sources: KATU set to release eyebrow-raising poll showing Merkley in 3rd place

    A new poll out tonight in the U.S. Senate race will raise at least a few eyebrows.

    The KATU poll, to be released tonight, shows Jeff Merkley, the House Speaker, in third place behind activist Steve Novick for the Democratic nomination, sources say.

    Roger Obrist was found in fourth place in the poll. All are competing in the May 20th primary.

  • BCM (unverified)
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    To be clear about the poll I just posted about, the Merkley is in third place behind Novick and Candy Neville! Again, this poll is Dems only!

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    I wouldn't expect a poll taken before Jeff ran a single media ad to reflect his name recognition afterwards.

    Merkley has been working the Dem activists and party regulars thus far, as his impressive collection of endorsements demonstrates.

    Now he's turning his attention to the large majority of Democrats who are neither activists nor party regulars.

    Seems like a very sound political campaign strategy to me.

    If he's even half as successful at getting his name recognition up as he has been in getting endorsements then he'll be the nominee going into the General Election.

  • Daniel Spiro (unverified)
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    Generic stuff. I look at the ad, and then I see the word "change." From what?

    This looks like standard political fare.

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    not bad. What's that--four hours between prediction and reality? And now the reason for Merkley's sudden pivot from ignoring Steve to smearing Steve becomes clear. Call him Jeff Clinton!

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    Merkley's history of votes, his anchors as a candidate are all there for Oregonians to learn about when they view the ad. His words match his record of accomplishments as a legislator and as Speaker of the House. He is the only candidate who can beat Gordon Smith. Merkley is about "WE" and that other guy is all "I,I, I, I".

  • Faolan (unverified)
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    Okay Pam I am calling BS on your post. We are all Democrats here. I will say that do indeed prefer Novick to Merckley because Steve's no nonsense bluntness and smartness appeal to me. I think either one of them would make a great Senator. As a matter of fact I believe that either one of them would be a better Senator for Oregon than Ron Wyden for whom I have a good deal of respect.

    I also believe that either Merckley or Novick easily have the ability to beat Gordon Smith.

    Trying to say that Merckley is the ONLY one who can beat Smith is not only a bunch of crap, it's a bunch of inflammatory crap. Part of the reason that this website has seen so many flames over this primary cycle is very specifically because of comments like yours. Uninformed comments I might add.

    We are all Democrats and we all want a Democrat to win in November over Smith. Considering how civil both Jeff and Steve have kept the race despite how antagonistic some of their respective followers are trying to be is a credit to them both and we should all try to emulate them.

  • LT (unverified)
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    BCM, is this a "likely voter" poll? What was the sample size and the margin of error? What were the first 3 questions?

    If Steve is indeed ahead, why doesn't he act like it? His questions at the debate didn't seem like front runner questions from someone who thinks they will have a harder time in the general election than in the primary.

    Given the number of people I know who just barely realize this is Gordon's year to run for re-election (much less than knowing about a contested primary) I'll take this with a grain of salt.

    Even the Oregonian once published 4 polls the day before the primary on their front page one year, and all 4 were wrong.

    Sorry to burst your balloon, but I am a poll skeptic. They are too often wrong.

  • James X. (unverified)
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    I agree with most of the reaction here. I've been taking the polling up to now with a grain of salt, because Merkley's sitting on a pile of money and has yet to run any ads, while Novick's enjoyed some buzz with his clever TV and web ads. I do agree, though, that Novick's ads so far have been gimmicky and have focused on physical attributes. The last campaign I can recall focusing on physical attributes was Katharine Harris's Senate bid. But they did get donors' attention at a time when Novick didn't have a bunch of money, and it got him name rec that has helped him in the polls. I'll be interested in what polls say after a couple of Merkley's ads go into rotation.

  • verasoie (unverified)
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    Faolan,

    I disagree with your comment, at least in part. I for one don't believe that Novick can beat Gordon, that only Jeff can, which is why for the first time in 30 years I'm a Democrat. And I don't mean that as a personal slight against Steve, I think he's probably a good person (I don't know him personally) and if somehow he were to become a Senator (say, by being appointed by the Governor) then, yeah, he'd probably be a kick-ass Senator.

    But I don't think he can beat Smith. Not in a million years. I think he would get painted as a looney, fringe candidate by Smith with no electoral experience and Smith would be seen as "safe" by the swing 30% of the electorate compared to the "hammer and sickle" Novick.

  • (Show?)

    "Sorry to burst your balloon, but I am a poll skeptic. They are too often wrong. "

    SUSA has been quite accurate during primary season--the most accurate of any major pollster, in fact.

  • JHL (unverified)
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    Like the ad. Like Merkley. Two quick questions...

    1. Why in the heck would Merkley spend so much time branding a particular logo (going so far as to have it printed on a tablecloth and painted on an RV) and then not display it at all in this ad?

    2. Umm... is Merkley wearing two shirts in the last shot?

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    JHL,

    No idea about #1.

    <h1>2, It's kinda hard to tell from that shot but he's wearing a flannel, which are very commonly worn as sort of a lightweight coat. I've worn flannels that way for years.</h1>
  • (Show?)

    It's nice and all, but it just seems like too common of an ad. With as much advertising that is going to be on tv from all these campaigns (heck, even county commissioner candidates have ads on tv), you're going to have to stand out to get people's attention.

    I'd figured for something a little attention grabbing - something that you'd remember 10 minutes later if you weren't already a Merkley supporter.

    My mom, who lives in Texas, recently asked me about our U.S. Senate race. She'd seen the commercial some weeks ago on CNN, and she still remembered it. It may not have had much content in it yet, but that wasn't its purpose. Its purpose was name recognition, and you need to do things that people will remember in order to gain lasting name recognition. Then you follow up with issue and action related content.

    My mom had seen the Novick commercial once and she remembered who the candidate was. I don't see that being the case with Merkley's ad. And in a race that is as hotly contested as this one, I think that's a problem.

  • (Show?)

    (Jenni - shhhhhhhh! why give them advice?!)

    %^>

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    (oops, sorry, that was me)

  • Opinionated (unverified)
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    A very positive and upbeat ad without the gimicks, the beer and the left hook. Jeff projects a good down to earth image and remains focused on his commitments to change. A great way to start an ad campaign.

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    Jenni:

    Everybody gives Kari a lot of crap about his disclosures, and if Im not mistaken you built Novick's web site right?

    Or did I miss something?

  • LT (unverified)
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    There is such a thing as remembering who a candidate is and not voting for them. If someone sends the links to this topic and Steve's beer ad to a friend, and the friend writes back which one they like better (esp. if they say one was impressive, the other memorable but dumb or slick or some other non-flattering adjective) does having an opinion on an ad mean they will mark their ballot in a particular way?

    Dave Steves has an interesting comment on the number of undecided voters.

    http://rgweb-c.registerguard.com/blogs/index.php/capnote/comments/merkley_takes_to_the_airwaves/

    But another number—the 40 percent undecided—means that even if Novick’s support is overstated and Merkley’s is understated, this race is up for grabs and will largely be decided by two things: 1. The vast group of voters who haven’t been paying attention yet, but will start weighing their choices in the next few weeks. 2. Each candidates’ ability to raise money and buy media and other methods of getting their word out.

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    bdunn:

    Yes, I did. And I haven't worked for the campaign since last fall. I'm just a supporter now. When I was working for and getting paid by the campaign, I put up a disclaimer.

    People tend to get onto Kari if he forgets a disclaimer on a site he still has a client/consultant relationship with. I haven't had that in 6 months or so.

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    FWIW, I also disclose past client relationships. But for the record, I don't think obsessive disclosure is or ought to be a requirement. It's just something I do.

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    Kari:

    You sure do, and you've been pretty good at remembering, even with a sleep deprived brain. Isn't being a parent fun? ; )

    Some months back I'd posted an item saying that I was no longer working for the campaign and that's why disclosures wouldn't be on what I was writing. However, if I write on something that pertains to something I participated in while I was working for the campaign, I'll post the disclosure again.

    But other than getting the same e-mails all the other supporters get and giving donations, I'm completely uninvolved with the campaign and have been for some time.

  • (Show?)

    There is such a thing as remembering who a candidate is and not voting for them. If someone sends the links to this topic and Steve's beer ad to a friend, and the friend writes back which one they like better (esp. if they say one was impressive, the other memorable but dumb or slick or some other non-flattering adjective) does having an opinion on an ad mean they will mark their ballot in a particular way?

    I never said it did. But name recognition is the first step towards getting someone to vote for you. Ads do have some impact on whether or not someone will vote for you, otherwise candidates wouldn't spend tons of money on them.

    From the AP article:

    In his effort to raise his still-scanty name recognition among voters, Merkley, the speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, launched the first major TV ad buy of the campaign.

    It's my opinion that an ad that stands out more, is something people remember 10 minutes later, etc. is better for building name recognition.

  • Shane Kavanaugh (unverified)
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    Despite being a solid Novick supporter from the get-go, I'd like to pay a serious compliment to Jeff Merkley and his campaign. Merkley did a terrific job at the City Club debate last Friday. It was his best debate or forum to date. In addition this ad is great. While he still has a tough primary to weather, this is precisely the kind of message that we need to defeat Gordon Smith.

  • (Show?)

    Despite being a solid Novick supporter from the get-go, I'd like to pay a serious compliment to Jeff Merkley and his campaign. Merkley did a terrific job at the City Club debate last Friday. It was his best debate or forum to date. In addition this ad is great. While he still has a tough primary to weather, this is precisely the kind of message that we need to defeat Gordon Smith.

    Thank you, Shane. That's very gracious of you.

    Should Jeff win the primary, it would be amazing to have your support. Defeating Gordon Smith is a tough (but very doable) order.

    Your kind words are very much appreciated.

    Carla--Netroots Outreach, Jeff Merkley for Oregon

  • Faolan (unverified)
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    Verasoie,

    I respect the fact that you believe that but it is only your opinion and I believe you are wrong, and that is my opinion. Neither of those opinions have much to back them up. But when Pam says that Jeff is the ONLY one who can beat Smith she is not only making an uninformed opinion statement and representing it as fact, she is also being inflammatory about it.

    What if you are wrong and I am right? What if then Steve actually does win the primary as seems reletively as likely as Jeff winning if not more so? Well then Pam's statement and your statement are ammo that can be used against us in November.

    Don't you want the best chance to get a Democrat in office in Novemeber no matter what? Even if you do believe that Novick can't beat him, don't you want to at least entertain the idea that you might be wrong and hedge your bets? Isn't it better to go at Smith with everything we have no matter who our candidate ultimately is?

  • LT (unverified)
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    "In his effort to raise his still-scanty name recognition among voters....."

    Someone asked me recently how the grass roots/ ground operation was looking where I live.

    Having just come from seeing Steve Marks at Demoforum today, let me give an answer.

    Announcements were made about candidate appearances. Apparently Steve will have a town hall at the Salem Library and Jeff will have one at Willamette University. And it looks like there is a debate scheduled at Linn Benton Comm. College during the noon hour (didn't write down the date because I wouldn't be driving down there).

    But as far as sign, button, bumpersticker availabliity, it was only Merkley. 2 people asked if I would put a lawn sign in our yard (sorry, we are very choosy and don't put up lawn signs unless both of us know the candidate--not true here). There were buttons and bumperstickers available, at least one person was wearing a Merkley button and there were cars in the parking lot with Merkley bumper stickers.

    <h2>No one there was passing out Novick materials.</h2>
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