4 June 2012

Liberals open the election fight with a two minute attack ad

| johnboy
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The Liberals opened the election campaign tonight with a 2 minute attack ad on WIN News which we hear sells for around $2,000.

$2 grand isn’t that much in the course of an ad campaign but to blow it in one go, particularly after a lengthy segment and with station promos sending the audience off to the toilet, it’s a big thing to go in one shot.

You can see the ad above. It makes some sound points, but I have some problems with it:

    — It’s using some very cheap emotional manipulation. Works for masterchef but drives me up the wall having the music telling me what to feel.
    — There’s a big dollop of American campaigning. If we had voluntary voting I’d believe there was more validity in apeing septic methods. We do not, I do not.
    — The secret meeting point is very dangerous (about health data manipulation). Our understanding is the issue was flagged in a regularly scheduled meeting.
    — There’s no indication whatsoever of what the Liberals propose to do better.

But there you go, we’re off to the races.

UPDATE 04/06/12 20:48: And now they’re following it up with an even longer video propagated over twitter:

katy gallagher

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somewhere_between_bundah_and_goulburn said :

The NSW Nationals can beat that, 10 minutes, on the ABC, in the ACT!!

No matter where you are, it’s always a choice between a giant douche, and a turd sandwich. If it wasn’t for Gungahlin Al running in my area, I would be donkey voting, I’m already doing so in 2013.

Umm…I think you will find that ABC don’t allow for paid political advertising but that they allow all political parties to make a public announcements during elections. Also that the ABC in Canberra is the news centre for South-Eastern NSW. Just saying.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Tony Abbott’s negativity reminds me a lot of Simon Crean about 10 years ago.

The current crop of pollies are, by and large, not much chop. There are a few (rare) exceptions.

Yep and thank god Labor got rid of him pretty quick.

PS Also take my hat off to the NSW (Liberal) Health Minister Jillian Skinner for her comments the other day in relation to the women who had to be taken to QLD to have tripplets. Good to see a minister saying it as it is. However what is rather ironic is when in opposition she had a whinge about a very similar issue and highlighted it as a Labor failing. So guess once in power they realise things are not as easy as they may seem, and sometimes reality is far more important that negative headlines.

Think the ACT libs may find their promise to install cashless parking meters for $210,000 will come up short if they get in power. Labors promise of $300,000 in the budget to examine options is more realistic, plus then of course the cost to buy and install, whereas read the libs and $210k is the cost for 20 of them. Hmm maybe that’s how much they cost, but you need to include a whole heap of other costs including studies, but then again I guess they don’t have the power of public servants to cost their policies, so will just pluck them from their bum, or do as Abbott did and use a shonky accountant.

Mysteryman said :

Ah yes, “Tony Abbott is negative. He doesn’t have policies” – the cry of the closet Labor voter too ashamed to admit that they are responsible for one of the least liked Prime Ministers, and lowest polling governments we’ve ever seen.

The ad (while quite poorly produced – yes, the music is terrible) makes some good points. It’s normal in an election campaign to point out the problems with your opponents. Have you forgotten EVERY election campaign that preceeded this one? Both sides do it.

I’m of the opinion that the Libs could have the greatest policies in history (of course they won’t, though) and you still wouldn’t vote for them.

Gillard may well be the least liked, not surprising the press she gets, however at the end of the day she has got on with the job and put through some very good policy with a minority government. So cannot be all that bad. But suppose you don’t hear about that, all you hear are leadership battles (which I have no doubt are beat ups by the media) and Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper.

But getting back to Canberra, the point still remains. If the libs want me to vote FOR THEM they need to tell me why, not tell me why I should not vote for LABOR. Pretty simple really, especially when in the grand scheme of things the ACT is running pretty well.

And yes whilst at present I am strongly in the Labor camp both in the ACT and federally, this hasn’t always been the case. When I lived in NSW I voted for Liberals in the 1995 state election (they lost of course) and I also voted Liberal in the 1998 Federal election in the seat of Fraser because I supported the GST, though the person I voted for didn’t get in but Howard clearly did.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Tony Abbott’s negativity reminds me a lot of Simon Crean about 10 years ago.

The current crop of pollies are, by and large, not much chop. There are a few (rare) exceptions.

+1

Anyone who’s half-decent is either weeded out or ground down by the party machine.

Most of the Federal independents seem to be pretty good IMHO. Tony Windsor in particular always strikes me as an intelligent pragmatist.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back2:20 pm 05 Jun 12

Tony Abbott’s negativity reminds me a lot of Simon Crean about 10 years ago.

The current crop of pollies are, by and large, not much chop. There are a few (rare) exceptions.

Mysteryman said :

Ah yes, “Tony Abbott is negative. He doesn’t have policies” – the cry of the closet Labor voter too ashamed to admit that they are responsible for one of the least liked Prime Ministers, and lowest polling governments we’ve ever seen.

To be fair, a lot of members of the Liberal party have expressed problems with the relentless negativity and lack of policy of Tony Abbot.

He has a voter popularity ranking that’s roughly on par with a brutal case of syphilis (even lower than “least liked Prime Minister” you mentioned … LOL).

The understood role of the opposition is to hold the government of the day to account. They should not be considered an ‘alternative government’; given that they don’t have access to the full mechanisms and expertise of the public service in order to determine policy. But they are expected (at very least) to have a few coherent policies to offer. There’s a difference between ‘holding the government to account’ and acting contrary to the best interests of the nation for a bare-faced power bid.

Also, you’re a died in the wool Liberal voter. Anyone who’s spent the slightest amount of time on this forum knows that. It’s a little rich to be crying claims bias given your own, completely obvious bias.

I have no doubt that you’ll whinge about this post and post the usual Liberal party talking points (perhaps with a few ra ra ra communist ra ra ra bits chucked in for good measure). I can’t wait.

JC said :

FD10 said :

Wow, despite most of the ignorant comments here, this one takes the cake. The Opposition is supposed to ‘bag out’ the Government, it’s in their job description of holding the Government accountable. And to everyone whinging that ‘all it does is attack, it doesn’t list their own policies’, maybe you should consider the bigger picture as this is the first ad of a campaign and you’ll probably be hearing more about their own policies within the next few months.

In my opinion, however, I think their platform will be effective – that you can’t screw it up as much as the current Government. Of course that’ll piss off the hardcore ’til-death’ ALP supporter (as is so obvious in this thread), but then again they’re not the target of this ad.

Swinging voters are smart voters. Safe seats (or safe electorates) are doomed for failure in a democratic system.

BULLS***. Taken from Tony Abbotts new politics for dummies book. After all if he can than anyone can.

For one the name opposition is just that, it’s a name given to the side that doesn’t form government. It doesn’t mean they are there to oppose all and sundry or in the case of Abbott to basic make an arsehole of himself in an attempt to stop the government from governing. Though must admit it isn’t working because Federally Labor and their minority government have managed to put through a record number of bills.

To me the role of the opposition is to provide an alternative, and frankly with the constant whinging the libs in Canberra have done without any real direction of how they will do any better there is not a hope in hell that I will vote for them. I want them rather than whinging to come up with a realistic alternative and convey that to me, not just during an election campaign but during the whole stint in opposition. Indeed IMO their campaign has started on the wrong foot for me with just more of the same, so unless they change tact very fast I will be voting for more of the same.

Ah yes, “Tony Abbott is negative. He doesn’t have policies” – the cry of the closet Labor voter too ashamed to admit that they are responsible for one of the least liked Prime Ministers, and lowest polling governments we’ve ever seen.

The ad (while quite poorly produced – yes, the music is terrible) makes some good points. It’s normal in an election campaign to point out the problems with your opponents. Have you forgotten EVERY election campaign that preceeded this one? Both sides do it.

I’m of the opinion that the Libs could have the greatest policies in history (of course they won’t, though) and you still wouldn’t vote for them.

FD10 said :

Wow, despite most of the ignorant comments here, this one takes the cake. The Opposition is supposed to ‘bag out’ the Government, it’s in their job description of holding the Government accountable. And to everyone whinging that ‘all it does is attack, it doesn’t list their own policies’, maybe you should consider the bigger picture as this is the first ad of a campaign and you’ll probably be hearing more about their own policies within the next few months.

In my opinion, however, I think their platform will be effective – that you can’t screw it up as much as the current Government. Of course that’ll piss off the hardcore ’til-death’ ALP supporter (as is so obvious in this thread), but then again they’re not the target of this ad.

Swinging voters are smart voters. Safe seats (or safe electorates) are doomed for failure in a democratic system.

BULLS***. Taken from Tony Abbotts new politics for dummies book. After all if he can than anyone can.

For one the name opposition is just that, it’s a name given to the side that doesn’t form government. It doesn’t mean they are there to oppose all and sundry or in the case of Abbott to basic make an arsehole of himself in an attempt to stop the government from governing. Though must admit it isn’t working because Federally Labor and their minority government have managed to put through a record number of bills.

To me the role of the opposition is to provide an alternative, and frankly with the constant whinging the libs in Canberra have done without any real direction of how they will do any better there is not a hope in hell that I will vote for them. I want them rather than whinging to come up with a realistic alternative and convey that to me, not just during an election campaign but during the whole stint in opposition. Indeed IMO their campaign has started on the wrong foot for me with just more of the same, so unless they change tact very fast I will be voting for more of the same.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd12:37 pm 05 Jun 12

FD10 said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Anyways, liberals are morons. I’m so sick of them bagging out labour and greens yet never talking about their own policies. I think they would do much better to give zed the arse and let Hanson have a go at leader.

Wow, despite most of the ignorant comments here, this one takes the cake. The Opposition is supposed to ‘bag out’ the Government, it’s in their job description of holding the Government accountable. And to everyone whinging that ‘all it does is attack, it doesn’t list their own policies’, maybe you should consider the bigger picture as this is the first ad of a campaign and you’ll probably be hearing more about their own policies within the next few months.

In my opinion, however, I think their platform will be effective – that you can’t screw it up as much as the current Government. Of course that’ll piss off the hardcore ’til-death’ ALP supporter (as is so obvious in this thread), but then again they’re not the target of this ad.

Swinging voters are smart voters. Safe seats (or safe electorates) are doomed for failure in a democratic system.

So by your logic, we should vote for the party who is better at talking poo or digging up dirt about the other, rather than who has the best policies. Wonderful thinking, Einstein.

As I said, morons.

FD10 said :

Swinging voters are smart voters. Safe seats (or safe electorates) are doomed for failure in a democratic system.

Exactly.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Anyways, liberals are morons. I’m so sick of them bagging out labour and greens yet never talking about their own policies. I think they would do much better to give zed the arse and let Hanson have a go at leader.

Wow, despite most of the ignorant comments here, this one takes the cake. The Opposition is supposed to ‘bag out’ the Government, it’s in their job description of holding the Government accountable. And to everyone whinging that ‘all it does is attack, it doesn’t list their own policies’, maybe you should consider the bigger picture as this is the first ad of a campaign and you’ll probably be hearing more about their own policies within the next few months.

In my opinion, however, I think their platform will be effective – that you can’t screw it up as much as the current Government. Of course that’ll piss off the hardcore ’til-death’ ALP supporter (as is so obvious in this thread), but then again they’re not the target of this ad.

Swinging voters are smart voters. Safe seats (or safe electorates) are doomed for failure in a democratic system.

could have done it in 20 seconds and it would have been more effective

VYBerlinaV8_is_back9:53 am 05 Jun 12

Is this ad stupid? Yep, I reckon so. That said, I can’t think of ANY political ads that aren’t, so I guess it fits right in.

I saw that and thought WTF? It just went on and on, like an epic. I thought it would never end and the voiceover sounded more and more complicated and hard to follow. If the Libs want to be contenders they’ll have to be more brief and concise.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd8:22 am 05 Jun 12

Mr Gillespie said :

Waste of money this ad is, ay?

Labor are a waste of money!!!

They waste our money by forcing us to buy our shopping bags!

LOL

Anyways, liberals are morons. I’m so sick of them bagging out labour and greens yet never talking about their own policies. I think they would do much better to give zed the arse and let Hanson have a go at leader.

Once again I will be throwing my vote away as there is nobody competent to vote for.

Mysteryman said :

I’m looking forward to an equivalent post from JB where he points out the “problems” with a Labor ad, if they ever get around to making one.

Because I never have a go at the Government??

I’m looking forward to an equivalent post from JB where he points out the “problems” with a Labor ad, if they ever get around to making one.

bd84 said :

I see nothing wrong with it. You hardly notice or hear the music in the background and it doesn’t do anything other than tell the facts as reported, not cheap gutter politics that I’m sure will come later. Yes it’s not a campaign ad to promote the Liberals’ policies, but it’s not supposed to be.. It’s supposed to be getting people to think about the s***hole Labor has dug this place into. Will it work? Maybe not, but it’s an adult way of getting through to the idiots who keep voting for more of the same..

I’m sure Labor’s comeback will be about Zed’s timesheets.. it’s about all they’ve got to attempt to hang on.

Maybe us idiots who keep voting for more of the same have memories of when the libs were last in power, did they do any better? As for this time I am not going to vote for the libs because things are ‘so bad’ with Labor as the libs keep constantly pointing out. I will only vote for the libs if they stop their constant whinging and show me how and what they are going to do better. However whinge whinge and whinge is all they can do so not vote from this idiot.

bd84 said :

I’m sure Labor’s comeback will be about Zed’s timesheets.. it’s about all they’ve got to attempt to hang on.

Could be the Libs problem, no visibility let alone alternative policies (credible or otherwise)

Mr Gillespie2:46 am 05 Jun 12

Waste of money this ad is, ay?

Labor are a waste of money!!!

They waste our money by forcing us to buy our shopping bags!

bd84 said :

I see nothing wrong with it. You hardly notice or hear the music in the background and it doesn’t do anything other than tell the facts as reported, not cheap gutter politics that I’m sure will come later.

It’s cheap, it’s gutter, it has no more integrity than the worst Andrew Bolt or Michael Moore can come up with. Of course you barely hear or notice the music, it’s intended as a subliminal tool.
But worst of all is it says nothing about what the Libs will do, or would have done. It just rabbits on about the past with no ideas for the future.

Best way I can think of to put this ad down is to use the Libs against themselves:
“The more you talk about the past, the more you proclaim your embarrassment about the present and the fact you have nothing to say about the future.” (John Howard, 1995)

somewhere_between_bundah_and_goulburn11:46 pm 04 Jun 12

The NSW Nationals can beat that, 10 minutes, on the ABC, in the ACT!!

No matter where you are, it’s always a choice between a giant douche, and a turd sandwich. If it wasn’t for Gungahlin Al running in my area, I would be donkey voting, I’m already doing so in 2013.

I see nothing wrong with it. You hardly notice or hear the music in the background and it doesn’t do anything other than tell the facts as reported, not cheap gutter politics that I’m sure will come later. Yes it’s not a campaign ad to promote the Liberals’ policies, but it’s not supposed to be.. It’s supposed to be getting people to think about the s***hole Labor has dug this place into. Will it work? Maybe not, but it’s an adult way of getting through to the idiots who keep voting for more of the same..

I’m sure Labor’s comeback will be about Zed’s timesheets.. it’s about all they’ve got to attempt to hang on.

farnarkler said :

Almost worth getting a few people to put in some money and doing an ad telling the libs to stick their heads up their arses.

I think the Libs are waaaay ahead of you on that one. Seriously, what sort of Dodgy Brothers Marketing 101 course did they find that convinced them a two-minute political ad was a good idea?

A grand a minute eh? Almost worth getting a few people to put in some money and doing an ad telling the libs to stick their heads up their arses.

Everyone notice the quick photo inserted towards the end of Gallagher and Gillard smiling together, even though the ad never actually mentioned the federal government or Gillard.

Inspired bit of sneaky guilt by association, inspired of course by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9KMSSEZ0Y

Showing their enemies walking in slow motion – so classy.

‘secret meeting’ – Huh?

Also it makes it sound like the govt might have manipulated data ( the old passive voice trick), but my understanding was it was a rogue hospital staffer.

That thing about blocking a ‘board of inquiry’ – I thought an investigation was established it was just a different form to board of inquiry?

Anyway, that’s enough for now.

This, my friends, is gonna be D.I.R.T.Y.

I watched it an had a bit of a chuckle at a couple of bits in it.

Can’t wait for the Labor response, how they aren’t in bed with the Greens etc.

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