If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
I'm a fan of negative advertising. I think there's nothing wrong with pointing out how you're different from your competitors. Sometimes that means you highlight how awesome you are. Sometimes that means you highlight how bad they are.
People claim they don't like negative advertising but compare Newt Gingrich's standing after he won South Carolina's primary with his standing after Mitt Romney and his supporters ran $20 million in negative advertising against him.
Still, people complain about negative advertising and say that it's ruining the Republic. The best response to this? Reason's video showing how nasty politicians were circa 1800.
The conventional wisdom is that Romney has to be careful in how he goes negative on Rick Santorum. I almost wish he'd be careless. But, then again, I enjoy negative advertising.
But look who has a negative ad out against Romney! It's Santorum. And it's funny. So maybe that should be the strategy: if you go negative, at least have the decency to be funny. Check it out here:
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Rombo needs an eye exam.
Sep '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
That was funny, and very well done.
Nov '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
That was funny.
I'm fine with negative advertising too. I wish it was always honest negative advertising -- but politicians are what they are. Florida got completely out of hand (on both sides).
Dec '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Negative and playful. Very well done.
Apr '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
"Rombo: First Mud" - Coming soon to a state primary or caucus near you!
Jul '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
That was pretty funny.
I'm with you on the negative ads, Mollie.
The only good thing to come out of campaign finance laws is the fact that if the campaign runs the ad the candidate includes his approval. Generally, they approve at the beginning if it is a negative spot and at the end if it's a resume ad.
When the commercial leads with a candidate's approval I know it won't be a bland hagiography.
Aug '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Meh. I'm hard to please. I require more from my comedy.
"If it bends, it's funny. If it breaks, it's not funny."
Edited on February 15, 2012 at 4:05pmRe: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
DrewInWisconsin: Meh. I'm hard to please. I require more from my comedy.
"If it bends, it's funny. If it breaks, it's not funny."· 2 minutes ago
Edited 1 minute ago
You are hard to please! If this broke in 20 seconds, most comedy must be unbearable for you, particularly after minute 14 or what not.
Aug '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Negative ads will cease when they stop being effective. Until then they will continue to be used by all campaigns.
Regarding this particular ad, Rick better be careful as I'm sure the Romney campaign is just waiting for an excuse to unload on Santorum. I don't think Ricky wants those big guns unloading on him in MI and AZ.
Mar '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Negative advertising is just another phrase fed to us by the media that we have accepted without much critical thought. As Leigh said above, as long as it's honest, politicians should be as negative as need be.
This subject reminds me of "unbiased journalism" which, when attempted in earnest, is bile summoning pap.
Sep '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
I thought it was brilliant and hilarious.
Sep '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Geeze, really? In Iowa and Florida, Mitt rained dirty bombs down on the competition until the ground glowed and the place was littered with more giant, mutant insects than a Roger Corman movie. I doubt the Santorum campaign harbors any illusions that if they just play nice, Mitt's Super PAC, Republican Idiots For Mutually Assured Destruction, will go easy on him.
Aug '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
DrewInWisconsin: Meh. I'm hard to please. I require more from my comedy.
"If it bends, it's funny. If it breaks, it's not funny."· 2 minutes ago
Edited 1 minute ago
You are hard to please! If this broke in 20 seconds, most comedy must be unbearable for you, particularly after minute 14 or what not.
Guilty as charged! : )
It's not that I don't appreciate good slapstick. Maybe the humor was just a bit too . . . obvious.
Also, I thought the Mitt clone was creepy. You know, like how Stephen King envisions clowns?
May '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Negative advertising and negative attacks are not the problem. Dishonest advertising and attacks are.
Just look at the blowback that Gingrich got from some of the absurd negative attacks he made on Romney. Romney is also suffering some of the same blowback from all the negative dishonest attacks he made on Gingrich.
I hope Santorum attacks hard, but with substance. Attacking Romneycare is a good start.
May '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Chris Deleon: Negative advertising and negative attacks are not the problem. Dishonest advertising and attacks are.
Just look at the blowback that Gingrich got from some of the absurd negative attacks he made on Romney. Romney is also suffering some of the same blowback from all the negativedishonestattacks he made on Gingrich.
I hope Santorum attacks hard, but with substance. Attacking Romneycare is a good start. · 6 minutes ago
100% agree. We should oppose dishonesty and character bashing in advertising. "Negativity" is a non-category.
If an opponent's record or policy proposals are bad, nothing wrong with making that known to the voters.
Aug '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
K T Cat
Geeze, really? In Iowa and Florida, Mitt rained dirty bombs down on the competition until the ground glowed and the place was littered with more giant, mutant insects than a Roger Corman movie. I doubt the Santorum campaign harbors any illusions that if they just play nice, Mitt's Super PAC, Republican Idiots For Mutually Assured Destruction, will go easy on him. · 17 minutes ago
It's a matter of perception, my friend. Romney's negative ads will backfire if they are perceived to be unprovoked. However, if the perception is that Santorum started it then the Romney campaign can bomb away without much negative consequence.
We need a candidate who will play to win against Obama, not follow some silly Marques of Queensbury rules.
Aug '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Now I'm afraid that Mollie doesn't like me anymore.
Mar '11
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
See what happens when you go negative?
Aug '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
katievs
Chris Deleon: Negative advertising and negative attacks are not the problem. Dishonest advertising and attacks are.
Just look at the blowback that Gingrich got from some of the absurd negative attacks he made on Romney. Romney is also suffering some of the same blowback from all the negativedishonestattacks he made on Gingrich.
I hope Santorum attacks hard, but with substance. Attacking Romneycare is a good start. · 6 minutes ago
100% agree. We should oppose dishonesty and character bashing in advertising. "Negativity" is a non-category.
If an opponent's record or policy proposals are bad, nothing wrong with making that known to the voters. · 4 minutes ago
You mean like this 2006 campaign brochure from Santorum?
May '10
Re: If You Go Negative, Go Rombo
Negativity is an American virtue. Not in a self defeating way but as an "in-yer-face-get-outta-mine" way. The Constitution consists of "negative rights" and constraints. It uses the word NO or the phrase SHALL NOT a whopping 43 times.