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Rate the new Defend American Democracy ad

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The national nature of the race in the 13th Congressional District was on display last week as U.S. Rep. RODNEY DAVIS, R-Taylorville, was among GOP House members across the country whose districts were targeted by ads featuring veterans saying President DONALD TRUMP must be held accountable.

“I took an oath, so I put our country first,” says KYLE BIBBY, a former Marine Corps infantry captain from New Jersey who served in Afghanistan, in the ad that’s been playing in the Springfield-Champaign-Decatur market.

He then shows a picture of Davis and says: “Now we need him to stop putting politics ahead of our country, and hold the president accountable for risking our national security and abusing his office to benefit himself. Tell Congressman Davis to keep his oath (and) put country over politics, because no one is above the law.”

The group paying for the ad is Defend American Democracy, and its website indicates that households in the districts of 14 GOP House members are seeing the ads. The group says spending for the ad campaign nationwide is a seven-figure sum, so it’s at least $1 million. And, according to a news release, the people from the group will visit five House districts, with the 13th the only one in Illinois. […]

“This political ad makes it pretty clear that this impeachment has been about politics all along,” [Davis spokesperson Ashley Phelps] said. “I don’t think it’s at all a coincidence that every Republican seat where this ad is running is rated a potential pickup by Democrats. Congressman Davis joined bipartisan opposition to this impeachment inquiry, which didn’t happen in either Clinton or Nixon impeachments, because there’s no proof of a crime and he’s focused on issues that can improve the lives of the people he represents, not playing politics.”

More here.

According to Comcast, the group has purchased about $24K in cable ads which started November 7th and will run through November 13th. I don’t have broadcast numbers, if any. I saw the ad on ESPN during the football game last night.

* Rate it…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 11:02 am

Comments

“I’m sorry sir, but we need your zip code before we can respond. No sir, the Congressman does not reply to requests from non-constituents. Have a nice day.”

If they could find a Veteran who was identified as from the district this might have some pop. They couldn’t, apparently, so this doesn’t.

I’d rate it a D+. Typical cookie-cutter national ad.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 11:07 am
It’s a D+

“Why?”

A gentleman’s “C” would connect it to the district in a way that the voters Davis represents want a call to action. This is bland, boring, and tiring.

If it were me?

I woulda went all…

“l don’t see what the big deal is, frankly”

… since Davis actually said it and set the table for it on a loop for a year.

They chose to be lazy and ignorant to the district. It shows.

D+

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 11:16 am
Despite that infinitely better production values, these ads remind me of Dan Proft using Kathleen Murphy in ads for every House race he was targeting. Find someone who lives in the district.

Comment by yeah Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 11:18 am
Give it a C-. Brings attention to the fact that not all veterans support Rodney (or whichever congress critter is the focus) for going full MAGA, which might influence one of the very few actual independents left who may also be veterans. But as with everything else trump, it won’t move the needle among republican voters. These folks reflexively dismiss the opinions of veterans who don’t already vocally support trump.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 11:35 am
Very bland and very cookie cutter. As others have said this needs to be more district-focused to make a difference. If you’re going to spend 7 figures on an ad buy at least make the ad notable or interesting. It gets a D+ from me.

Comment by SouthernCentrist Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 12:16 pm
To OW and 47th’s point, a better ad campaign is the new “mistake” series by American Bridge. Hyperlocal ads featuring swing voters from each district who regret their 2016 vote, far and away more effective than these ads. Defend is mostly wasting their donors money here

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 12:23 pm
C-, for the reasons discussed above.

C- for the Davis response: I’m bipartisan and it’s all the Democrats fault.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 12:36 pm
I saw this on CBS this morning so it is broadcast. I rate it a B-/C+. Positive points for going on the offensive early. Negative points for not being very specific about the district.

Comment by Truthiness Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 12:37 pm
$24,000 for ads in the Eastern bloc pushing impeachment of President Trump?

Great idea

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 1:09 pm
C-.

Y’all couldn’t find a vet from the district?

Comment by WH Mess Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 3:20 pm
The article should have included the fact that the Marine featured in the ad, Kyle Bibby, is an activist and lead organizer of an organization called Common Defense. Their website sites the following: “Common Defense was founded in 2016 by veterans who oppose Trump’s corrupt agenda of hate. Together we will reclaim our democracy and build a truly grassroots movement to fight for our future.”

Comment by Captain America Tuesday, Nov 12, 19 @ 9:06 pm
Lucky Pierre,

If the organization wanted to target the Eastern Bloc, they’d be buying time on stations in Indiana and St. Louis.

I’ve seen the ad. I took it as an attempt to appeal to new voters, who had either turned 18 or had moved into the district.

I lean towards a B.

As far as the criticism about the home of the participant veteran, I’ve never heard of his organization. Is it possible that they don’t have any members in the areas this ad is running, or that their production budget doesn’t allow for the shooting of ads featuring veterans from each district they are targeting?

Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 8:57 am