Whenever a new technology hits, you can count on political campaigns to try to seek a way to use it to their advantage; sometimes it works (Internet) sometimes it doesn't (performance art). One thing is certain: there is going to be some nerdy type on the campaign is going to insist that if they just use X technology, they will have the edge. This filters down from the big, nationally watched campaigns (think Virginia U.S. Senate race) to the tiny ones (50th Ward of Chicago).
For your perusal and enjoyment, some of the best (and worst) campaign material on the You Tubes is below. Mmm.
First off is the highly offensive, ridiculous "James Cappelman for Alderman — I Think He's Gay." Not official campaign material, but worth the watch. Don't watch this at work, please.
Wow. Remember how crazy the 46th Warders got? Want a visual affirmation of the looniness? Enjoy. By the way, this has to win, hands down, for Trippiest Politically Themed Video in history. It was also a finalist for "Most Likely To Be Enjoyed By Members of Strawberry Alarm Clocks." Yikes. Make sure you click on "More" under the video description. Who the hell sings that song?
When Tip O'Neill said "all politics is local," he should have said, "Unless you're talking about Chicago, in which all politics is beyond local into some sort hyper-micro-politics that justifies producing an overly dramatic video about a liquor store." Coming from me, that's a compliment.
Tim Egan, candidate for the 43rd Ward, kind of hilariously wants it both ways. For a video with the theme, "Politics is serious," this video is ridiculous. Extra points for the guy who calls him the "Eganator," in a strangely anachronistic Bronson Pinchot-style impression of a "Hollywood guy."
Ladies and Gentlemen: Alfredo Castillo. Fifteenth Ward.
This Scott Waguespack character is just gosh-durned likeable. How can you not like somebody who ends a good government reform proposal with this sentence: "Who knows, maybe we'll stop some of that government waste."
Michele Smith, yet another 43rd Ward candidate, should get some dap for her volunteering of the high school video in this video.
By the way, if you're ever alderman of the 49th Ward, for God's sake, pay attention to what the liquor stores are doing.
Naisy Dolar. Good video, but is somebody shaking out a sugar packet right next to the microphone?
And the single best video of this cycle so far: this guy drives around the 3rd Ward. With a camera.
Probably the most effective negative ad in political history.
the pet / January 31, 2007 8:28 AM
The "Trippiest Politically Themed Video" - the band would be My Chemical Romance.
I"m going to have to watch that one again when I'm more awake. I don't do trippy before coffee.