Post by jammer81386 on Apr 8, 2017 23:26:52 GMT
Recently I found this playlist on YouTube which lists several Presidential campaign ads from 1952 to the present. After going through the list I decided to make a quick list of which ones I thought were the best and which ones were the worst. For the sake of brevity this list will stop at the 1988 election. The rest will be on a later post. Keep in mind that I am only focusing on the ads themselves. It is not a judgment of the candidate, the views expressed in the ad, or if the promises made in said ad came to fruition. With all that said here is the list.
BEST
--Nixon on Civil Rights (1960)
A simple and profound explanation of the importance of civil rights both for moral and practical reasons. He not only focuses on the importance of equality, but he also states the importance of the US leading by example on the matter.
No bells and whistles, just a direct explanation.
--McGovern's Plan (1972)
A compelling and clever use of visuals. It genuinely feels like the military would be hamstrung if McGovern won.
--Carter's Wife
Carter genuinely comes off both as a capable leader and as a relatable down to earth person. Which worked well with Mrs. Carter's voice over making Carter feel in touch with the everyday American.
--Reagan California(1980)
The writing was very effective in subtly creating a correlation between the former problems of California with the present problems of the U.S.. Reagan came off as the competent problems solver and reformer that the nation needed.
--Morning in America(1984)
Tell me you don't want to live in this commercial. Its has pleasant an optimistic view of a country that has fought through its rough past and is now the rise again.
WORST
--Kennedy Campaign Song(1960)
Listen at your own peril. If you do listen, I suggest having another song on standby to help get this one out of your head. The obnoxious melody alone would put this ad the list. The generic political posturing in it make it all the worse.
--KKK for Goldwater(1964)
A shameless guilt by association tactic. The epitome of a cheap shot.
--Richard Nixon's the One(1968)
Why is Nixon the one? The ad says nothing about Nixon other than he "qualified" a term that they ironically don't qualify.
--Jimmy Carter Oval Office (1980)
This ads says nothing about Carter's capabilities as be president. It only states the blatantly obvious fact that the President needs to make decisions. Nothing is said regarding Carter's ability to make those decisions or whether he has done a good job of it in the past. Any name could be substituted with Carter's without any effect.
--Mondale Tech Your Parents(1984)
Hey everyone, nuclear war is bad. This isn't a political ad. It is one of those "The More You Know" PSAs.
Thanks to all for reading.
BEST
--Nixon on Civil Rights (1960)
A simple and profound explanation of the importance of civil rights both for moral and practical reasons. He not only focuses on the importance of equality, but he also states the importance of the US leading by example on the matter.
No bells and whistles, just a direct explanation.
--McGovern's Plan (1972)
A compelling and clever use of visuals. It genuinely feels like the military would be hamstrung if McGovern won.
--Carter's Wife
Carter genuinely comes off both as a capable leader and as a relatable down to earth person. Which worked well with Mrs. Carter's voice over making Carter feel in touch with the everyday American.
--Reagan California(1980)
The writing was very effective in subtly creating a correlation between the former problems of California with the present problems of the U.S.. Reagan came off as the competent problems solver and reformer that the nation needed.
--Morning in America(1984)
Tell me you don't want to live in this commercial. Its has pleasant an optimistic view of a country that has fought through its rough past and is now the rise again.
WORST
--Kennedy Campaign Song(1960)
Listen at your own peril. If you do listen, I suggest having another song on standby to help get this one out of your head. The obnoxious melody alone would put this ad the list. The generic political posturing in it make it all the worse.
--KKK for Goldwater(1964)
A shameless guilt by association tactic. The epitome of a cheap shot.
--Richard Nixon's the One(1968)
Why is Nixon the one? The ad says nothing about Nixon other than he "qualified" a term that they ironically don't qualify.
--Jimmy Carter Oval Office (1980)
This ads says nothing about Carter's capabilities as be president. It only states the blatantly obvious fact that the President needs to make decisions. Nothing is said regarding Carter's ability to make those decisions or whether he has done a good job of it in the past. Any name could be substituted with Carter's without any effect.
--Mondale Tech Your Parents(1984)
Hey everyone, nuclear war is bad. This isn't a political ad. It is one of those "The More You Know" PSAs.
Thanks to all for reading.