In an era when social media clicks so often seem to be the goal of some candidates, rather than electoral success or serious policy discussions, it is no surprise that some of the first campaign communications seem to be grasping for eyes rather than ayes!
The first example was Justin Pearson’s congressional ad that seeks to revive the anger and outrage of the civil rights battles of the sixties. While the disturbing images touch an emotional nerve, they lack intellectual honesty for several important reasons. First, Democrat Pearson ignores the truth that those brandishing firehoses and using vicious German shepherds to threaten and abuse black citizens seeking basic civil rights were actually DEMOCRATS, not Republicans. Yep, Justin, Bull Connor, and those who enacted and fought to preserve the Jim Crow laws were DEMOCRATS!
(Wait until he learns the historical reality that the vast majority of slave owners were also DEMOCRATS, as were the founders of the Klan, while those who fought and died to end slavery were REPUBLICANS!)
Second, the most disturbing images in his first ad were not from protests in Memphis. They were in Birmingham. As in Alabama, not Tennessee. Not that Democrats in Tennessee didn’t deliver their own share of racist atrocities during that time, but the emotionally charged images he relies upon to stir up his base only works if they are as historically ignorant as he is, or pretends to be. But based upon his selective and changing accent, pretend seems to be his best, if not only, real talent.
THE ONLY FANS CANDIDATE? Democrat Jerri Green has distributed a fundraising text for her gubernatorial campaign that makes it clear she is relying on sex appeal to get donors to open their wallets. The low-cut open blouse certainly helps expose her willingness to solicit money.
The “one tough mother” tag line in interesting, too. Will her tv ads feature Barry White voiced background music??? Presumably, she will be running on her record of success in making Memphis a safe, prosperous, and growing community, when it is none of those.
IS MONTY ON TARGET?
Monty Fritts’ campaign for governor is woefully short on cash, so he will need to hope his online video ads go viral. That means pushing the envelope from a creative standpoint. His first ad featured him in a boxing ring, throwing punches at a sparring partner. Ok, he’s a fighter. But it didn’t really take off for him.
The second ad showed Monty throwing hundreds of rounds of lead downrange with a variety of weapons…from lever action to AR15 style rifles, among others. Interestingly, it showed a lot of Monty shooting, but never showed a target that indicated his accuracy, or lack thereof. For Monty to have any “shot” at emerging from distant third, his campaign has to be 100% on target…and soon.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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