A Republican Has Entered…

Freshman United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is set to announce his candidacy for the Presidency on March 23, making him the first Republican US Senator to announce for the position.

Johnson’s “Daisy” Ad

Perhaps one of the most famous negative Presidential campaign ads came from 1964.  It was run by the campaign of President Lyndon Johnson (D).  His opponent was Republican Barry Goldwater.  Johnson won the election in a landslide.  This commercial, called the “Daisy” ad, aired only once as it was deemed to be too extreme at that time.  The voice you hear in the middle of the ad is that of President Johnson.  What is more important though is what is being “said” about Barry Goldwater.

What is being said about Barry Goldwater in this ad?

Evaluating the Ads — Begich (D) vs. Sullivan (R)

This week’s installment of Evaluating the Ads takes us to Alaska, where the polls close at a given time, but the results may take days before anyone knows of a winner.  Desolate and out of the way places can get in the way of a timely outcome.

United States Senator Mark Begich (D) is looking for a second term in Washington.  His opponent, former state Attorney General Dan Sullivan (R) has a waged spirited campaign against him.

Here are two ads that were run at the end of each campaign.

The first is from Senator Begich.

This ad is from Attorney General Sullivan.

For this week’s question, I want you to think of how negative campaigns can be.  Mudslinging is a term that we like to use in political circles.  To dirty up an opponent is almost a necessity in a campaign.  However, here are two ads that are positive and are being run at the end or near the end of each candidate’s bid for the Senate.  Do you think that it is a good strategy to end a campaign on a positive note?  Would you rather see the candidates finish on a contrast/negative ad?

Perry’s Presidential Aspirations?

On Monday, Governor Rick Perry (R) of Texas announced that he would not be running for re-election to his state’s highest office in 2014.  Some have wondered if Perry has his sights set on the White House in 2016.   Many of those who enter into the Presidential fray, early, do so to win the “invisible primary“.  The invisible primary or the “money primary” does not involve any voting at the ballot box.  Candidates, however, who want to be considered as viable candidates must do well in the invisible primary.  The primary takes place in the  months and years before the first votes are cast.  In it, candidates try to woo financial backers into supporting their campaigns.  Those who fail to raise enough money tend to drop out of the Presidential campaign before the first vote is cast.  Do you believe that Perry’s announcement coincides with an attempt to get ahead in the “invisible primary”?