Political advertising is the single largest expenditure during the election season. According to the Campaign Media Analysis Group and the Washington Post, $246.2 million has already been spent on campaign advertisements in 2012. Whether an ad is meant to expose a candidate’s poor track record while in office or paint a candidate as a “regular” person, it can’t be denied that political advertisements represent some of the the most ridiculous ads out there. WhichWayNC doles out superlatives for some of the best (but mostly the worst) in political advertising for this election season.
Best Original Score
Republican National Committee
Anything sounds intense and important when played over a backdrop of an intense theatrical score, even political pundits.
Worst attack on personal character
Obama for America
Nothing makes you look like an out-of-touch, fat cat millionaire like empty American factories and white sandy beaches. Using Romney’s off key rendition of America the Beautiful was a particularly nasty touch.
Best attack on an attack ad
Obama for America
If political advertising was a game of tag then Obama is screaming, “You’re it! No tag backs!”
Fortunately, political advertisements at the state level in North Carolina have been far tamer. Gubernatorial candidates Pat McCrory and Walter Dalton seem content to play up their “good ol’ boy’ images. It’s southern political pandering at its finest.
Most consistently emphatic hand motions
Dalton
Democratic candidate for governor Walter “It’s Walter Dalton!” Dalton has political hand gestures down to a science. Regardless of the issue or location, Dalton’s digits remain on message. It’s like public policy poetry in motion. Unfortunately, Dalton’s enthusiasm doesn’t seem to be reciprocated by his audience (pause the video at 25 seconds and check out the children’s faces).
Biggest WTF moment
Pat McCrory Committee
Quality production value and professional actors all go out the window when coupled with quite possibly the largest political advertisement non sequitur of all time. “Good fries” could easily become the unofficial slogan for the McCrory campaign through the rest of the election. What are the chances Dalton fires back with an ad featuring onion rings?
Most convincing endorsements for a dog running mate
Pat McCrory
From the very beginning it seems that Moe, Pat McCrory’s chocolate lab, has been the former mayor’s selection for lieutenant governor. Moe has steadfastly stood by McCrory since the beginning.
Moe’s qualifications? Moe doesn’t bite.
However, a major concern is the amount of influence Moe may have over McCrory if he should be elected. McCrory seems to run every decision by his close companion, even his holiday well wishes. “Isn’t that right Moe?” McCrory asks. Moe even gets more screen time than Ann.
