Governor’s Race Ads, Round 2

We earlier brought you a look at Rick Perry and Carole Keeton Strayhorn’s first ads in the race for governor.

Now, Kinky Friedman, et al have released another round of ads and, of course, we’re here to tell you what they mean, how much they suck, and ponder why on earth anyone some media consultants get paid the big bucks they do.

We’ll start with the Friedman ad.

This ad is simply stupid. He’s trying to appeal to the folksy, semi-religious people for a start while also doing at least a little bit to pander to the far Right by quoting the Bible verse.

As for all of the running around with animals, evidently that’s supposed to carry through the “good shepherd” theme. But, it comes off way too hokey. It’s one of those ads you look at and go, “what in the hell is this?” I saw it and thought Kinky Friedman was running for County Inspector of Hides before I remembered that position had been abolished last century.

Now, for Slick Rick’s ad.

First of all, there will probably be a rush of new televisions being purchased around the state, because Texas public school teachers are likely to have to replace their TV’s as a result of throwing large glasses of iced tea at the TV screens after watching this ad.

That he’s touting the merit-based pay program is simply stupid. He should want everyone except his anti-tax, right-wing base to forget about that. As for all the other stuff, Rick Perry trying to be the “Education Governor” is about like George W. Bush trying to be the “Environmental Protection President.”

It does, however, give way to Perry’s strategy. He’s clearly running ads that simply reinforce one thing: he’s governor.

His ads seem to be taking that ‘high road approach’ of “I’m governor, ohh, look at me and what I’ve done.” He’s trying to do what Bill Clinton did in 1996, but with far less success.

Now that we’ve forced ourselves to watch that, check out this video, which is on the much, much lighter side of Rick Perry:

Sadly, Carole Keeton Stayhorn’s ad isn’t on YouTube. It’s on her website, though, and it’s all about a grandma shakin’ Austin up.

It shook my stomach up: over taxed, underfunded, lawmakers who do nothing but spend, the state spending money it doesn’t have, etc.

Lots of lovely rhetoric, no solutions.

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