The Saddest Ad of 2016 (So Far)

 

Sen. Rand Paul entered the GOP Primary with high hopes. He was the candidate who could represent the rising libertarian-ish wing of the party; those people skeptical of government in taxes and spending, but also in foreign intervention and the excesses of our criminal justice system. He would attract the sizable remnant of Ron Paul’s presidential campaigns, but wouldn’t be saddled with dad’s kooky baggage.

Rand would appeal to the budget-cutters in the Tea Party as well as the young, disaffected, and apolitical. He would even reach out to inner city communities and minorities who had long been written off by the GOP establishment as unreachable.

Alas, what could have been. Instead, here is an official ad that his official campaign just released. Officially.

The video appears to have been created with a type-to-text animation program, similar to Xtranormal. This explains the stilted language and odd pronunciations: “Where does the Ted Cruzz get his money … The Goldmain Sachs … we need to Audit the Ted.”

In a message ostensibly pushing libertarian arguments on monetary policy, Rand levels Bernie Sanders style accusations about campaign finance and capitalist perfidy. Considering the 2.3 percent he’s pulling in the polls, numbers so low he was left out of the GOP main debate, it might be time for Rand to close up shop and audit the campaign that produced this dismal ad.

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  1. donald todd Inactive
    donald todd
    @donaldtodd

    Vice-Potentate:It’s sort of a trope for libertarians and Austrian economists to explain difficult concepts with those computer read videos. I think it’s a little self-referential joke at Rand’s expense. That being said, the content is a bit sad. It’s really in keeping with Rand’s self-perception, though. Everyone in Washington is bought and paid for except him. I think the ad was supposed to be lighthearted but came across as pathetic.

    Some people can do humor, and some people cannot.  Rand won’t be making it as a stand up comedian.

    • #31
  2. DrewInWisconsin Member
    DrewInWisconsin
    @DrewInWisconsin

    My goodness, that might have worked as a 10 second ad.

    But not 1:40.

    • #32
  3. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    DrewInWisconsin:My goodness, that might have worked as a 10 second ad.

    But not 1:40.

    Drew,

    Good point. Sometimes less is more.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #33
  4. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Quake Voter:Sadly they are both more articulate and possess sounder syntax than Jeb Bush.

    QV,

    Jeb! is taller.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #34
  5. SParker Member
    SParker
    @SParker

    Deconstructing, we can see that the use of lightly disguised Canadian actors is meant as a subtle dogwhistle for the all-important South Park Republican voter.  It is indeed unfortunate for the ad’s makers that any such who watched the last season are now convinced of two facts:  Ted’s the guy and Rand isn’t, buddy.terrance_and_phillip_by_ookami_shikon

    • #35
  6. Locke On Member
    Locke On
    @LockeOn

    Hoyacon:I’m not going to embed it, but here’s one on Bernanke.

    Excellent search fu, that’s one of those that I recalled but couldn’t find.  “The Bernank” :D

    • #36
  7. Dustoff Inactive
    Dustoff
    @Dustoff

    What’s with the British accents? Oh yes, sophistication and insight. Yes I will vote for the Rand.

    Sad indeed.

    • #37
  8. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Rand Paul doesn’t sell because Libertarianism doesn’t sell.  It’s not the messenger.

    • #38
  9. Quinn the Eskimo Member
    Quinn the Eskimo
    @

    Manny:Rand Paul doesn’t sell because Libertarianism doesn’t sell. It’s not the messenger.

    True, but it also doesn’t excuse the poor quality of the ad.

    • #39
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