If you’ve been watching TV today you’ve probably noticed something a little off: there’s not a single Obama or McCain ad (or at least there’s not supposed to be) on the air today. The candidates agreed that as a sign of respect for the gravity of the day, it’s best to leave politics temporarily off the air. Sure, it’s just a token symbol, but sometimes symbols are important; it serves as a reminder that when it really counts, we all stand as Americans together. Moreover, it’s just the classy thing to do.
Congressional candidate Ashwin Madia agreed and decided that he would also pledge not to run ads today (a pledge he is honoring). To the best of my knowledge, neither Al Franken nor Norm Coleman are either. In fact, it seems that the only political candidate running TV ads in the 3rd today is Erik Paulsen. The NRCC is running Erik Paulsen’s intro ad today when his opponent has pledged not to out of respect for the anniversary of September 11th. Now, just for clarification because I’m sure people will point this out, this is Paulsen’s ad, but paid for by the RNCC as the $80K they get for a candidate specific ad. The committees are running ads today — I believe the DSCC is as well — but this isn’t a committee attack ad, it’s Paulsen’s. It’s on Paulsen’s website, it ends with Paulsen saying “I’m Erik Paulsen and I approve this message,” and it prominently features & advocates for him, but it’s paid for by the RNCC. It may seem like a technical distinction, but it’s not: Paulsen could have stopped this ad from running today.
Look, I’m not one to get all whacked out about not bowing to the Gods of political tokenism, but I think what’s important here is that one candidate has agreed to give up a whole day worth of political exposure with the understanding that his opponent would be decent enough to do the same, but instead Paulsen is taking advantage of the situation for his own political gain (it’s not my intention to intone that Paulsen knew about Madia pulling his ads and that’s not important to the bottom line of this post) — that’s a low blow. There’s no doubt that Erik Paulsen is a patriotic American, like almost all of us are, but it just goes to show that for all the flag-waving the Republicans do, it doesn’t mean much if it’s not backed up by a little thought.
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Honest question here — What is the rule about campaign signs on the right-of-way along public highways? Just saw someone putting a Madia on the shoulder of a major highway in my area (nobody’s backyard), and wondering if I can do the same for Erik. Thanks.
I believe it is reasonable to ask whether any member of a party that is as a matter of idiology opposed to the following is patriotic.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
WE should make sure that this was done on purpose. Sometimes stations air ads as filler outside the schedule purchased by the candidate/committee.
In 2000 I was contacted by a group upset that a candidate had ads running on the “Dr. Laura” Show. When I contacted the candidate they nearly blew their top off … because as the parent of a gay child they had specifically instructed the buyers not to run ads during that show. Turns out the station had an empty spot and just rotated the ad in.
And on Tuesday night I saw a Lord Faris ad on Ch 11 at roughly 10:30pm.
Once the ad ships to the TV/Radio station there is a certain loss of control.
DantheMan, read this: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/dot_letter_to_candidates_-_2008.pdf
Waffletushie: I have it on very good information that this was no accident. The buy was made to include the 11th; it was intentional.
@dtm
Same goes for Coleman, McCain, Kline, and Wardlow in my area… those signs are all over in illegal spots. If you’re gonna be so petty about signs I’d bet you a good chunk of change the Republicans would be worse for the wear if all illegal signs were confiscated.
Be careful what you wish for.
Thank you for the link. I know of 1 Madia sign that will be coming down this evening. Just being a good citizen.
I’ll raise you a Coleman and a Kline sign.
Isn’t this all rather silly?
Of course it is.
But the fact of the matter is that he’s trying to make a Madia sign the biggest issue in the whole world right now. And if it’s gonna be… than someone ought to show him his candidates do worse by his standards than ours do.
neighborly neighbor - If they are breaking the rules, by all means, take ‘em down. that is what I’ll do with the Madia signs that are breaking the rules near my home.
We have a deal.
DTM:
So you are judge and jury? I guess that figures. Play God, just like all your buddies in the GOP.
You are so brave.
DanTheMan:
Honest question here - would you “take ‘em down” if they were Paulsen signs that are breaking the rules near your home?
Think before you answer.
I read the letter as saying you can’t place or affix signs “on any object” within the limits of the highway. It doesn’t say you can’t place a free-standing sign there. I know in Bloomington (where I live) you can put a garage sale sign in the right of way if it’s on its own stick but you can’t tack it to, say, a light pole.
But I could be wrong….at least about the political signs.
Passive injustice is as bad as active injustice. I would take Paulsen signs down. I have seen none that are breaking the rule as I read it.
dantheman….be careful with the Madia sign, as you are not allowed to remove it unless you work/volunteer for the campaign or are an employee of the city. My friend the city prosecutor tells me what you are considering is stealing and a misdemeanor…knock yourself out! Danbrome is right…don’t be like so many others and consider yourself the judge and jury. It’s too bad that Paulsen’s campaign didn’t suspend running ads today like Madia’s did.
Good point.
I’ll contact the authorities instead. Thank you for talking some sense into me.
While you are at it, why don’t you go take care of the illegal Paulsen over on the shoulder of HWY 7 just before Baker Road?
In Eden Prairie, there is a 12 foot from the curb rule. There are MANY republican signs breaking that rule!
And it is too bad that Erik Paulsen is not as patriotic as the other politicians up and down the ticket. He should have observed the day with the rest of them.
Minnetonka rules: http://www.eminnetonka.com/news.cfm?story_id=ElectionSignRulesJuly08