I just hope that once in these candidates show that they can actually govern. I’m willing to give them a chance, and if they fail? Vote these bums out too. Let the races begin!
4
The downside of this type of viral video ad is that it elevates the cult of personality in politics even more. Do we vote for someone because we like their "story," or because of what they will do for us and our country? Missouri Governor Eric Greitens could have made a bang-up personal video highlighting his ex-Navy Seal background, but he was rotten at core. A good story is just that, a story.
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@Bob G. Imagine a secound such a video done by McDonnell...He would be riding in his limo trying, from the open window, to grab an old lady's purse, a true Republican!
2
Of course you are correct, but please allow that one would take any story, compelling as it may be, as an introduction and not as a command.
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@Bob G.
Having watched the videos, I disagree that they elevate the cult of personality, especially compared with traditional 30-second TV ads. Yes, we get to know the person, but also their potential constituencies, records, and approach to policy-making. Plus, as Gloria Steinem said, the personal is political.
With political campaigning reduced to getting megabucks for TV ads, these economical videos are a huge ray of hope.
13
I see this as an encouraging trend. Aren't we all tired of wondering what the real story is, when we see conventional political attack campaigns on TV? I feel that these videos invite us to learn more about the candidates, including their character.
12
The dogma in politics is that a candidate needs lots of money to win. Social media and quality videos, which are inexpensive, may change that. The major parties don't seem to realize that.
If more poorly funded candidates win, this would be a sea change. Donations to political parties would decrease since TV and radio ads would be less important.
16
Seeing that photo of Kemp with a shotgun was revolting. I sooo hope he loses to Stacey Abrams!
Let's focus on the big picture here. Who would you vote for? The Teacher of the Year? A working woman changing from flats to heels? Or a guy heartlessly pointing a shotgun at a nice-looking young man? Whether real or not, these are the images these candidates are putting before us.
These videos are especially appropriate for candidates who have not yet been in office -- they might have no track record, no credentials other than their own character.
And if these things can be produced cheaply, maybe we can ban TV advertising and take some of the dirty money out of politics.
15
The Trump team knew this in 2016...
1
While reading this article I clicked on the “Doors” link and watched the campaign video. Now I want to move to Texas so I can vote for MJ Hegar.
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@Seriously
I agree. I have a Congressman who doesn't live in my voting area, has held no meetings for years with the voting public. Why you ask, because he is a Republican and they always vote. Just maybe we can get an alternative that is worth voting for.
5
Let's hope these viral videos by Democratic challengers get out the vote for their candidacies. They should think about that. What will motivate their supporters on election day to actually vote? That nonvoters are a majority in many midterm elections shows a failure in our school system as well as that of the political parties, particularly the Republicans now, who actively try to suppress the vote of minorities. The People suffer from this as seen through extreme inequality and lack of universal healthcare and equal opportunity of education.
The planet and all its people also suffer from the Trump administration's gutting of environmental laws, and from no plan to effectively counter global warming, which is caused by fossil fuel emissions. Per capita, the United States is by far the world's worst polluter followed by China, that is actively expanding pollution by building coal plants in the developing world.
China and the U.S. should actively be working on a treaty to halt pollution from industrial production and transportation. Former Secretary Kerry has also made an eloquent case for a cyber security Treaty.
The purpose of the U.N., which Bolton disparages, is to resolve international disputes by the great powers through peaceful means. He is right though that nonproliferation of nuclear weapons by N. Korea and Iran is now a great test of that.
1
I love this article. I’m 85. The authors bring home to me the awareness that the future belongs to the younger generations who will and must shape the politics in which they and their children will live. I am in whole-hearted agreement that Congress must look like “we the people “ — people from communities where the common folk live — from both rural and urban communities. It is important that equal education opportunities be provided to all to prepare those who wish to serve. Especially important is education in civics and government. The Parkland students are an impressive example of what education can do. How valuable it would be for our America if all students were as well educated.
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I may be the leading critic of videos in the world. Videos of police shootings are abundant and are frequently at odds with jury verdicts. There follows a hue and a cry. But videos lack context, do not show what is off camera, do not probe what is in anyone’s mind, and tell us nothng about what is pemissible under the law. Instead, they may show shots to the back which are conclusive in viewers’ minds.
As for routine viral videos, who knows whether they are staged or real. And who knows if animal videos aren’t the result of strategically placed treats. The Zapruder film of JFK’s shooting may be the most explicit and well-publicized of my life. It launched millions of fruitcake conspiracy theorists.
I used to say I’d believe it only when I’d seen it. But, in this day and age, even that is not enough.
But it doesn’t tell me if the candidate can craft good legislation which is most important to me.
2
This is enchanting and uplifting — a balm on the gaping wound that is Trump.
4
And to all you Democrats out there... this article confirms WHY you need to post/share/like videos on Facebook and YouTube. Please do your part.
11
With all the bad news lately about the negative impact of social media, it's good to hear how it truly can be a force for good. The personal, low cost videos created by Democrats are a sharp contrast to the standard, slick 30 second spot with high production values.
The more women, people of color, LBGTQ Democrats we elect the better chance to fight Trumpism. These candidates are impressive and inspiring.
11
Here is the video of Democratic Party 1st district nominee Alan LaPolice throwing fire at big corporation money!
http://youtu.be/TPXIo3fYRKA
No such thing as "viral" anymore. The algorithm shadow-bans and shadow-amps based on how it is programmed. The same tools used to silence Alex Jones can be used to amplify the popularity of any political idea or candidate that Silicon Valley chooses.
4
These made up, distorted or over stated videos are just another misleading device for people running for office, all of whom are only interested in getting elected. They remind me of college entrance apps where kids purport to create charities to save starving children.
3
Hmmmm, I would hope the person I like who’s running is actually interested in “getting elected”. Your logic fails me. Would you rather people run who AREN’T interested in representing people???
14
The trend in electing politicians is apparently moving toward how they define themselves as people. The medium is changing but the tactic is age-old. Character matters, that’s the message. It will always win votes if you admit chopping down that cherry tree.
9
I think this is a very positive approach for overcoming the issue of big money in politics. The cost of these ads are within reach for many small campaigns that would be trampled by super-PAC spending.
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That's true for now. The problem is that the firms that are producing these wildly popular and incredibly effective spots could very easily crank their prices up in the future, and suddenly we're back to square one.
The potential hope is that these people are working for a cause rather than a check and/or that the Internet is so vast that there will always be someone willing to do a roughly as effective job for a much lower cost.
4
Question: IF there is no need to spend exorbitant amounts on televised advertising and she raised 300K using her own viral video, what do they need the money for? What if all the money that will be raised and spent this primary season was put to some other purpose? I don’t know. Say... Education?
6
If people who basically live on social media would just read a book and study the issues, the democracy would be heading in a more intelligent direction. If viral videos is the basis of their voting, that is sad. But the fact that less than 50% of millennials actually voted is the real issue. If they need videos to inspire them to the polls, so be it. Vote progressive. Vote for peace!
7
Hmmmm so you are saying that those who aren’t on social media are just hanging at home, reading, and studying the “real issues”...? What a great picture would that be
Millennials indeed have a lower voter turnout and they are also those who used social media to organize marches against sexism, racism and gun violence. When would people stop throwing “millennials” at us like it’s a bad word, as many did and still do “liberal”
2
Personal narratives can be effective if followed up by a well-planned legislative agenda and strong evidence of leadership.
12
@Saba Montgomery "Personal narratives can be effective if followed up by a well-planned legislative agenda and strong evidence of leadership"
I wish that were the case but just a cursory review of the men, and they're all men, who are elected from my district tell me this isn't so.
Yes, I'm talking about you, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, Jeff Duncan, and Trey (Glacial Pace for maximum distraction) Gowdy. I haven't seen any of you do anything to help the average voter that you're supposed to be representing and I've been paying attention.
2
It's just propaganda... they're advertisements...
People must be really hard up for self-affirmation or must really enjoy being pitched to be actively seeking these out. When I see an advertisement, I usually use it as a cue to go the bathroom or to make a sandwich... to each his own, I guess...
5
It's frightening that absurd, cartoonish ads such as those of Brian Kemp will actually be effective on some voters.
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Though obviously social media provides a new platform for advertising politics, the message on the democrats side is that these new candidates are men and women of the people, more like you the voter than the other candidates splashing big money from big donors around television. Those wealthier candidates advertising in a more expensive medium really have been catering their message to their wealthy donors economic interests and ignoring the little guy who continues to get ground down by the policies those wealthy donors support. I for one hope this trend continues and all candidates who support the status quo are banished to obscure retirement. They haven't made their constituents lives any better, so why should they deserve any allegiance for nothing more than seniority and fund raising — because that isn't good government.
25
In the current environment, speaking undeniable truth and saying what you mean sounds uniquely powerful. Pointing a gun at someone is simply unsafe gun protocol. It's the first rule you learn - never point a gun at something or someone you don't intend to actually shoot.
20
Beto O'rourke's response to a question about NFL players taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem. It has been seen by over 50 Million viewers.
25
@Joe. Wow. So glad you recommended this. I like Beto and I like his response to this question immensely. This is the kind of thing that ought to be given as wide an audience as possible. A thoughtful considerate rational response by a candidate to an important question by an audience member. Sometimes I feel as though we’ve forgotten how to have a reasoned conversation in this country.
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@Joe
Exactly. I had no idea who he was until I saw that video and he impressed me. I've since donated to his campaign, and signed up on his website. I also believe he is going to win in November.
6
Social media is transforming the political campaign. But, is it all good? Will slick seemingly personal stories really let people know the candidates, as they seem to be intended? It seems like these videos overshadow now everything else. I find Ms. Pressley's candidacy a big turn off: she took on a good, positive, steady Democrat who mirrored her ideals with a racist message that she would be the better candidate because she is black, and social media helped her win. I think in the end those voters may come to see that seniority carries a whole lot of weight in the halls of Congress, more than social media and videos and racist appeals.
5
@GMT If it was all good, the IRA/FSB initiatives would not have enjoyed such broad success. Clearly this is the moment for us to reckon with the new communicative landscape.
1
her message was that those closest to the pain should be closest to the power. it's time for new ideas and new people. I'm not interested in elderly politicians maintaining power for decades. it's time for something new!
1