NY-20: Gillibrand channels Murrow as Sweeney goes negative

As John Sweeney continues his Rovian attack campaign against Kirsten Gillibrand (the latest is she's a "war profiteer" because her husband owns some stock he received as a part of a retirement package from a British defense contractor), the Gillibrand brings us something interesting, and quite amazing.  In a state where most political ads are rather bland, the new Gillibrand ad is quite phenomenal.  The ad stars David Strathairn in a reprise of his role as Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck.

Follow me below to see more...

The ad is the work of Jimmy Siegel, who burst onto the scene by making a few ads for Eliot Spitzer, and has since done an ad for NY-AG frontrunner Andrew Cuomo.  There are two versions of the ad, one short and one long, which I'm assuming means one will be used as a web ad and the other is meant for television, however, I haven't heard for sure that the shorter one will be appearing on TV.  Anyway... since I can't figure how to imbed the video in this diary, I'll just give you the links to the YouTube:

Long

Short

Now, as I see it, this is probably the best way they could react to Sweeney's neverending baseless accusations against the candidate and her family.  It's different.  It catches your eye.  And all at once, it says, "Cut the bullshit and let's get to the real issues at stake" without offending anyone.  I like it.

•  Please send tips

  Kirsten's wayfor this great ad.

  by Team Slacker on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:18:10 PM PDT

  •  Was a good ad...

    Ran across an interesting article from last month about the Belleayre resort issue in the Catskill Mtn. News. Will add it here later, if that's okay.

    by kredwyn on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:24:28 PM PDT

  •  Was Siegel the guy who made the Spitzer ads

    with the dramatic theme music and the Knicks reference "we'll make them hear us all the way in LA"?

    by dpinzow on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:31:26 PM PDT

    •  I'm not sure exactly which ones he did

      but I believe that's one of them.

      by Team Slacker on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:03:55 PM PDT

    •  Yes, JImmy Siegel

      is getting wide acclaim for the work he has done on Spitzer's ad campaign. He also did one for Andrew Cuomo and now this one for Kirsten Gillibrand.

      by Andrew C White on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:08:37 PM PDT

•  And if anybody can let me know

  how the YouTube embedding works, I'd be forever greatful.

  by Team Slacker on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:24:29 PM PDT

  •  Apparently it doesn't

    I understand that it was disabled due to bandwidth problems so linking is the best we can do.

    by Andrew C White on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:55:44 PM PDT

    •  Ah...

      fair nuff

      by Team Slacker on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 05:51:38 PM PDT

      •  Although if

        you are not a mere mortal like us then you can wave a magic wand and make it work. As we discussed yesterday I couldn't get my magic wand to work here.

        by Andrew C White on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 05:56:47 PM PDT

•  Wow, this is the best ad I've seen all cycle

  A thumbs up for Kirsten Gillibrand.

  Hopefully it makes regular TV airplay.

  by dpinzow on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:30:06 PM PDT

•  Where do they plan to display these ads online?

  I am still surprised that Gillibrand wouldn't consider advertising on the Liberal Blog Advertising Network - the ads would reach all the progressive blogs (Daily Kos, MyDD, Dem Bloggers, My Left Wing)

  While it would be expensive, these ads could really pay off in the long run with increased contributions and more grassroots support.

  by colin neal on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:38:33 PM PDT

•  YES!!!!!!

  by squashua on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:53:46 PM PDT

•  Great ad

  I LOVE David Strathairn in this ad.  Thanks for the diary and thanks for the link.

  by vbelinsk on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 03:54:17 PM PDT

•  yeah, a post about Gillibrand

    just got a letter from her campaign - an intermal poll shows a tightening race, 8% with wweeney at 47% Gillibrand at 39%.  Maybe its a Race. yeah

  by oceanview on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:25:43 PM PDT

  •  Definitely a race

    Everyone in or near the district should take a few hours to pitch in and help. This one is not a gimme but it is very winnable if we work for it. Every voter talked to counts.

    by Andrew C White on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:54:51 PM PDT

•  good news for a campaign thats

  not quite taken way off yet.  It should.  It has to.  I really really want it to. (p.s. I donated to, 3 times)  Sweeney must go.

  by oceanview on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:29:20 PM PDT

•  GREAT ad!

  Love it! Best web ad of the season!

  by RedheadLiberal on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:30:44 PM PDT

•  Whats the significance of

   an internal poll? anyone know?  Gillibrand issued recent internal poll.  wonder if its significent. Hope it is.

  by oceanview on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:40:03 PM PDT

  •  It wasn't necessarily an "internal" poll

    It was done by an outside group, but payed for by the campaign.  I believe that that Global poll is completely legit.

    by Team Slacker on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:43:12 PM PDT

    •  thanks team slacker

       jus wondering cause different polls have been mentioned here - and last week a poll showed this race not so tight.  Whick i didnt like.  So now, this new poll has good news. S 47% Gillibrand 39% and time to work on the 8%

      by oceanview on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 04:47:32 PM PDT

•  Impressive

  Now we must link all over the net and get this on the front page. It's awesome.

  My only problem is with the one who posted it. Though it is their right they approve comments. I am all over YouTube kicking right-wing ass for doing that. Plus it generates a ton of comments and pushes the video to higher spots...

  The new Olbermann clip made it to a high spot because of that...

  Just a thought....

  by dynamicstand on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 07:31:51 PM PDT