Thursday, August 03, 2006

DCCC Tries It Top Down in New York's 24th District

Thanks to the reader Curious, who tipped me off to an interesting article in The Hill, indicating that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has reserved $797,000 worth of advertising in New York State's 24th Congressional District alone.

It's a blunt approach, top down, but this investment is so big I can't dismiss it as unimportant, and neither should the 24th District Republicans. Those who are trying to depict a little static about campaign donations from a small group of troubled individuals as a major issue ought to look at the DCCC's investment as a sign that those with political experience recognize this supposed "Skippygate" as nothing more than a piece of summer fluff. The national Democratic Party leadership sees this contest as one they can win.

I'm not fond of political advertising, or advertising in general, as a way to get a message out. However, when someone throws this much money at an advertising campaign, it just might work. Certainly, one could never underestimate the number of Americans who will stare blankly at a television screen instead of reading the paper and doing their own research into a political campaign. I won't be among those listening or watching the advertisements broadcast in favor of Michael Arcuri and Ray Meier, but I won't be so blind as to think that most voters will similarly abstain.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an obnoxious and elitist comment. You show nothing but disdain for ordinary Americans who don't measure up to your self-styled standards of democratic citizenship. You really should join the Republicans.

24thIndependent said...

Hm. I show NOTHING but disdain for ordinary Americans?

Nothing else?

Oh, darn. I was so much trying to show something else, maybe just one other thing.

Your hyperbole suits your anonymity.

Seriously, I do show disdain for Americans who think that citizenship consists merely of the luck of being born here, yes. If that's the ordinary expectation of citizenship these days, then American is in trouble.

Anonymous said...

Are all supposed to praise the virtues of sitting around and watching television? If we don't, we're "elitist"?

Anonymous said...

Ah, you anonymous critics...some of us just don't watch much television. We're too busy working or enjoying life to have to be babysat by the boob tube.

Jon's point is there are plenty of folks who do spend much time in front of the boob tube and they will be influenced by the amount of advertising the DCCC has bought.

Let's be honest - only a massive media campaign convinced the large number of folks who were swayed to vote for Bush despite his obvious inadequacies. Candidates can be sold like mouthwash - you just need to advertise effectively and people will buy anything thinking they need it.

Finally, I'm starting to get some confidence here.

Lieberman getting tossed out in the Democratic Primary in Connecticut next week will be earthshaking. The public is recognizing the disaster this Bush administration is creating in the Middle East. It's time to throw the bums out.

Anonymous said...

It would be nice to see that dirtball leiberman get trashed. Zell is an ignoramus. What's Joe's excuse?

Anonymous said...

I read somewhere where Conn. Republicans were bumping into each other trying to change their registration to democrat so they could help out Joe Blow in his primary. But Ooops, there is a waiting period before they can vote as a member of their "new" party. What a bunch of scammers that party is.

Anonymous said...

I already heard some working family radio spots stumping for Arcuri.

24thIndependent said...

Put the emphasis on the Working Families Party. They'll get out there and work and actually meet with the people.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jon, if the DCCC is so top down, why haven't they pressured Bruce Tytler to contribute the $6,251.38 left in his Congressional campaign treasury to Mike Arcuri? What's Tytler going to use it for anyway?

Les Roberts gave the last contributions he got back to the donors so they could decide where to spend it.