The so-called Reform Team is airing its first television commercial starting today.
But don’t expect to see Superman saving a baby or Douglas Bruce shaking hands with actors on the steps of City Hall.
The commercial, which will air during news programs on Channels 5, 11, 13 and Comcast, includes only a voice-over and the names of the five candidates in black and white.
Bruce, who is leading the slate of City Council candidates, said the TV ad was meant to be low-budget.
“We are fiscal conservatives,” Bruce said in an e-mail.
“We will spend much more on air time than production cost,” he wrote. “Voting for us is a simple black-and-white choice of fiscal conservatives versus RINOs and liberals. Cutesy gimmicks, rock music, and frills are inconsistent with our serious and simple adult message. Here, simplicity is creativity.”
The goal of the commercial is to get voters to conclude in 30 seconds that they should vote for the five candidates on the slate, he said.
“That requires mentioning FIVE names and showing those FIVE names on the screen. We can’t just refer people to a website; couch potatoes won’t do that. We explain why voting for all five of us is essential. If we are to change the direction of city council, we need a majority of council seats, and to be a majority, that number is five.
“We are not running to have idle debates or 8-to-1 or 7-to-2 votes. Public policy is set by a majority. If voters are unhappy with the current majority attitude on council, they need to elect a new majority with a different approach. That’s why our slogan is, ‘Give us five, and we will reform City Hall,’” he wrote.
Oh goody, we are ALL waiting with “baited breath” for this fine piece of video marvel (to be sure.) What s the title, “Three Geezers and two gals running for office???!!!???”
Citizen1,
The link to the video is included. Click on the letters in blue that reference the commercial.
Daniel
That’s the worst commercial I’ve ever seen. Clearly, they’re not shooting for the 18-30 demographic.
This is not news. By running this information, the Gazette has given these jokers free advertising. Why else would you publicize this information?
opentodiscussion,
I’ve written about most, if not all, of the mayoral and City Council candidates who have campaign commercials in this election cycle. Just scan the City Desk blog, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Like it or not, Mr. Bruce and the so-called Reform Team are official candidates on the April ballot, and I strive to give all the candidates equal treatment.
Daniel
Sorry, Daniel. I must have missed the other blog entries.
I think, though, that candidates’ ads really aren’t news unless they make outrageous claims or spend an exorbitant or disproportionate amount of money. Let the candidates pay for ads and say what they want, but let the news be what they say they want to do for the city or what they’ve done in the past that might help us determine how good a job they’ll do for us in the future.
opentodiscussion,
No worries! I was just pointing out that I’ve written about the other candidates’ TV ads, too.
I agree: Most of these ads aren’t necessarily news, which is why they appear only on my blog and not in print.
Thanks for taking the time to comment..
Daniel
Great, two slumlords, one man who calls teachers terrorists, and two helpless woman that will do whatever the other 3 say. Lets not forget that Doug Bruce single handedly bankrupted a town in another state.
Title of the video should read “5 Facist running for office”
It was early. 5 “Fascist”… Can only hope that they mobilize the vote and we get a real city council and not this disruptive group. Or maybe a bit of chaos is what the town needs to wake up and get involved instead of sitting back and complaining. Democracy requires involvement.