Black Hands Hitler Man Returns to Virginia
By: Lowell
Published On: 4/21/2006 6:05:05 PM
That's right, the guy who created the racist "Black Hands" ad in the 2004 Oklahoma Senate contest, and the infamous "Hitler" ad for Jerry "The Duck" Kilgore in last year's gubernatorial contest is returning to our fine Commonwealth. That's right, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
[George] Allen has hired Texas ad man Scott Howell to prepare campaign ads. Howell did the ads for Republican Jerry W. Kilgore in last years race for governor and is experienced in national and U.S. Senate campaigns.
So, what can we expect now? Let me guess...Jim Webb opposed the invasion of Iraq so he's un-American, loved Saddam Hussein, and was soft on the "terrorists?" Ha ha. Or, how about a bunch of slimy robocalls about how Webb is really a "racist," "woman hater," whatever. He he. Oh yeah, I forgot, Webb's Democratic opponent is probably already gearing all those up for the days before the primary in June. Hilarious, eh?
Anyway, what does this hiring of Scott "Black Hands" Howell tell us about Jerry...er, George Allen? Well, for one thing, that Allen's got money to burn, cuz Howell's nasty advice doesn't come cheap. For another, that Allen's willing to say or do anything to get elected. Oh, and something tells me that Allen might be getting just a wee bit worried at this point about the prospect of American Hero (Webb) vs. American Zero (Allen). This should be interesting...
Comments
The gloves are off... (Laura86 - 4/21/2006 6:31:11 PM)
Now it's getting fun.
I hope he (Adam Malle - 4/21/2006 6:39:18 PM)
Make another Hitler ad. It did wonders for the Kilgore campaign. I hope he has the same success with Allen.
My thought exactly! (Lowell - 4/21/2006 6:53:12 PM)
;)
We Need to Be Ready (Kip - 4/21/2006 7:20:40 PM)
Scott Howell is many things but he isn't stupid. Markos and Armstrong praised his effectiveness in "Crashin the Gate." Howell overreached in VA with Kilgore and the Hitler ad, but overall he is a dangerous rightwing media hit man. He often produces original and emotional ads. We need to hit back quickly, consistently, and creatively.
I agree. The Virginia Democratic blogosphere (Lowell - 4/21/2006 11:04:24 PM)
is ready!
well.... (Craig - 4/22/2006 4:31:28 PM)
I dunno about smart. Anyone who'd break Godwin's Law at least had one moment of low intelligence.
I Always Believe In Hitting Back Hard (AnonymousIsAWoman - 4/21/2006 8:57:52 PM)
And I think that Kerry's failure to do so cost him the presidential election. On the other hand, hitting back hard needn't be nasty. Tim Kaine is my favorite example when I explain my philosophy of dealing with negative attack ads. Face the camera and tell the truth. And if you have to, call a lie a lie. You don't have to call the liar a liar. If people can sense your sincerity, they'll get that.
It's the failure to answer strongly and honestly that costs a candidate, not the failure to be nasty.
Definitely on the money there (Matusleo - 4/21/2006 9:18:17 PM)
Another thing that I feel helped Tim Kaine weather the Scott Howell storm was that Kaine established himself early on. People knew that he had deeply held religious beliefs, and so they gave him a pass on his stance on the death penalty. Kilgore couldn't attack him for it because they were Kaine's religious convictions.
Jim Webb needs to establish himself before Scott Howell can run these types of ads against him. If people believe Webb to be a man of character who has thoughtfully approached the issues and is not some knee-jerk say-whatever-pleases-the-party kind of guy, then they will be less likely to buy the Howell ads.
Plus, looking right in the camera and calling a lie a lie is a part of that too.
oh joy... (Craig - 4/22/2006 4:18:38 PM)
Christ, just when I thought this asshole's capital was spent after the Kilgore loss, he comes back.
Emotional Ads (Rebecca - 4/22/2006 5:51:13 PM)
If the Democrats can't come up with emotional ads this time around they will probably lose. There is plenty of material. Will the Dems step up to the plate? And the Dems don't even have to lie!
CTG (Josh - 4/22/2006 6:16:55 PM)
I know you've been reading CTG, Rebecca. I'm dying to have the Webb campaign create a once in a lifetime ad.
There's so much possiblity in a Webb candidacy. I want them to give me something to believe in. I want them to choke me up. I want them to bring tears to my eyes. I want to believe in America again.
Screw policy, screw issues! GIVE ME SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN!
Do that, and Democrats will retake both Houses of Congress. Fail, and we can pretty much count on 8 more years in the long march towards Apocalypse under the boot of President George Allen.