More on Election Commercials

I would love to see a new kind of ad for this campaign season!  Can we please fire that "doom and gloom" voice-over guy?  Seriously.  Ask Mitt to do it; he likes firing people.  Sorry.  That was low.  Particularly since I was about to say that I am also tired of the negativity.    Both sides have said "If you don't have a record to run on, you paint your opponent as someone to run from."  And then, they've both painted their opponents as someone to run from.  

This is the ad that I would do.  Picture: President Obama, jacket off, sleeves rolled up to the elbows.  He's sitting in a living room on a couch.  It's not the White House.  It looks like it could be in someone's apartment.  Not over-nice.  The camera moves in steadily as he begins to speak.

"Hello. You may have seen quite a few ads this election cycle from those who think our country is going in the wrong direction.  Despite many economic indicators that say our economy is rebounding, they insist that things are not on the right track. I can’t pretend to be surprised.  I understand their fear.  Throughout history, there have always been those who are afraid of where progress will lead and how hard that path can be.   But the America I love has never been afraid of a little adversity.  The Americans that I meet every day tell me that persistence is how we are defined; history tells me that perseverance is our grace.  Our future requires that we keep moving.  We know that there is no easy way, no shortcuts to greatness.  The only way to get where you need to go is to keep moving. Forward."

Linger for a bit on the word "Forward."  

I think that having the President sit down in an informal setting, with his sleeves rolled up sends a very powerful message.  I also think that having the direct to camera message reduces all of the "I approve this message" silliness.  Heck, we haven't even talked about the impact of the messages that are published that aren't "approved."   Take this new spot from, of all people, Rob Reiner.

For now, there has been some progress toward a more positive message.  Just this week, Morgan Freeman has offered his very recognizable voice to a new ad.  This is what I'd like to see!  More of this, please!