Most of us here (in what is often referred to as the middle of nowhere) want well-run, efficient government that solves communal problems but doesn't get in our way. We don't believe our lives will be completely transformed, for better or worse, as a result of one election. That is the mistake too many politicians make; they promise too much and we don't believe them. Either they will build a monorail that runs on love, or roads and bridges will appear tax-free through the residual magic of the free market. Too often, we get both in the same election, sometimes from the same candidate.
At this point, we treat the election as a joke. We elect the candidate who is least awful. The reason scare tactics seem to work is because, usually, there is nothing else to take seriously as a voter. All candidates seem to use the dirty tricks and then the victors make the mistake of attributing their success to the negative campaigning. We sometimes even vote for a bully because we perceive the bully to be more honest. He says he's going to kick us where it hurts and, by God, he usually delivers.
Here in Wisconsin, Russ Feingold has faced the same wrong-headed criticism that Obama has been facing. Feingold is always being told to go negative and fight dirtier, but he always resists. Feingold has won his elections because of three things:
- He knows what he believes in.
- He knows that if you state the truth, you don't have to remember any lies.
- He gets the joke.
Who does that remind you of?
Humor is hard to do, but Feingold is a master. He knows not to promise things he can't deliver. He is liberal/libertarian, and he promises only to work for clean, honest, efficient government that works for the common good but doesn't over-reach. He knows that promising anything more - or less - is dishonest. We laugh with him at any politician who either over-promises on the one hand or claims that government is unnecessary on the other. Feingold gets the joke.
I see the same qualities in Obama's demeanor and in his ads. I loved his appearance on Letterman - so genuine. I was delighted by the "Wonderful World" commercial. The "Same as Bush" ads are effective, too. The cartoony background music, the goofy pictures of McCain and Bush hugging, the upbeat "I'm Barack Obama and I approved this message".
These ads look too lightweight for the already converted here on DailyKos. As difficult as it is for us to believe, there are a lot of people who are undecided. The humorous, lighter ads really ring true, at least here in Wisconsin. They're honest, they don't make people swear at the television, they don't turn the voters off to the process, and they reinforce Obama's pledge to run a different type of government. They are also much more likely to prompt conversations at the water cooler. Remember when Saturday Night Live was funny? You just couldn't wait to see your friends so you could reenact the sketches and repeat the newest catch-phrase, ad nauseum. Trust me, offbeat humor, if done correctly, is an effective campaign strategy in the heartland.
Why should you believe me? I am already voting for and donating to Obama. Well, you don't have to trust me. Trust Russ Feingold. In the face of overwhelming opposition, he just tells the truth and gives that great "What can I say" shrug when his opponent repeats a lie. It's as if he is winking and asking "is it me, or this guy nuts?", and he keeps getting reelected. I hope to see that same grin and shrug from Obama at the debates.
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