Iraqi Kid Runs For Water

Okay this is why I don't side with War. We as Americans have taken power and truly abused it. People of color all over the world are feeling the wrath of hatred imposed by the dominant culture. This is maybe one of the worst things I've seen as it pertains to the war and the integrity of our soilders.

Ted Haggard's Response to Gay Sex Allegations

Pastor Admits Buying Meth; Denies Gay Sex

Ted Haggard Voicemail

Michael J. Fox on Stem Cell Research (Testimonial)

Michael J Fox Political Ad


Testimonial--having some respected or hated person say that a given idea or program or product or person is good or bad.

Yet another example of testimonial tactic at use in politics. This ad shows an obviously sick Fox and was quickly revered as one of the most disturbing campaign ad of the year. The short commerical intended to show the effects of Parkinson Disease. The message was to spell out how much better the world would be with stem cell research as a part of our medical study and how bad we need it. Using a child star such as Fox, on an subject mostly supported by Democrats, was ironic given the character he was most widely known for was Republican Michael Keaton on the 80's sitcom Family Ties.

Texas Democratic Party (Bandwagon)

Texas Democratic Party



This ad is as bandwagon as it gets. The device used wasn't as deceitful as it was familiar. The representatives for the state of Texas were all on board for this one. They dressed conservatively and it made sure that each representative was of a different nationality and gender. The musical score was reminiscent of a first generation cartoon. The ad begins with, "We democrats". This immediately called attention of anyone who identifies with the party. The representatives then began to outline the expectations of the citizens to the Government. All of the subjects challenged were strong Democratic beleifs.

Using catch phrases like, "we can do it", "culture of corruption", "social security", and "civil rights" they left no stone unturned. The ad offered a one-sided interpretation of the government. They even had foreign speaking representatives drop lines in their respective languages. They painted the picture that the Democratic Party is a perfect family that sticks together; a family of underdogs.

Tactics like these that keep political parties alive.

Van Taylor vs. Chet Edwards (Card-Stacking)

Political Jujitsu


Card-Stacking: Selection and use of facts or falsehoods, illustrations or distractions, and logical or illogical statements in order to give the best or worse possible case for an idea, program, person, or product.

This particular smear ad uses the Card-Stacking device. Van Taylor approved this ad going against Chet Edwards campaign. Taylor points out Edwards comments on glorifying running a "mean-spirited" campaign. The beginning of the ad implies a caring Taylor sitting down with an elderly man to discuss something obviously sentimental. Then immediately afterwards, Edward's is shown on a side by side photo of himself looking evil and angry. I identified this frame as using photo bias. As the viewer looks at these pictures of Edward's, the narrator points out Taylor attribution stating his campaign uses political jujitsu. It continues to point out quotes attributed to Edwards making him sound like a tyrannical proposed leader.

Although the accusations made against Edwards in this smear ad seemed to be effective at the time they held no merit. I guess the saying, "Don't Mess With Texas" is more than a statewide slogan, it is a way of life. Edward's retained the 17th Congressional District of Texas with a victory Tuesday night over Republican challenger Van Taylor.

Hall vs. Kelly (Testimonial)

Sue Kelly: Shameful

Testimonial--having some respected or hated person say that a given idea or program or product or person is good or bad.

John Hall used this forum to tell us all of the reasons why Sue Kelly is bad for politics. He came out guns blazing by attributing her support for Bush. (As if now supporting the President is a capital crime). Although the President has a low approval rating now, at the time the war began there were many people behind him. So to say Kelly is not right for the job because of it is a little one sided. Next, he pointed out how she wanted to cut troop benefits in turn accepting a raise herself. Correlating these two issues is just unfair. While it may have been in the best interest to cut troops, she, like anyone else would more than not be focused on self. Hall completes his verbal tirade on Kelly by stating, "To change Washington, you have to change who you send to Washington." That message alone says he has the authority to say who is right or wrong for leadership. I don't know if he's well respected, but he does have a following. At press time Kelly led in votes, but her victory was yet to be determined.

Bielanski for State Senate (Plain Folks & Glittering Generality)

Bielanski 2006 Results Ad



Plain Folks—speaker attempts to convince his audience that he and his ideas are good because they are of the people ‘plain folks’. Used most commonly in politics and campaigns or commercials.

Glittering Generality—Associating something w/a virtue word. Used to make us accept and approve the thing w/o examining the evidence.

This ad for Bielanski not only played on the fact that most Americans want Republicans out of congress, but that women are more sensitive and compassionate about things that matter. The narration on this ad used words like "working mom" which was Bielanski's catch phrase for her campaign. This is highly used as a glittering generality that moms and those who love the love their mom's give to support her as a candidate. I think that while being a working mother is honorable, it has nothing to do how effective ones campaign will be while in office. They slammed the Republican Party by reminding the viewer that America has endured 12 long years under the regime. They also used statistics that could easily loose the viewer and were very superficial.