Iowa TV Special A Waste

Considering the target, Iowa, I think it's a great piece. Iowans don't want glitz they want straight talk.

The piece takes the Ames speech and breaks each issue out for closer examination and features Dr. Paul elaborating one on one.

The personal endorsements seem a little less stilted than the early NH ad.

I especially liked the "I'm a constitutionalist" statements. Enough of the "Libertarian Paul" already.

I agree the commercial was flat for me. I viewed it as if I've never heard of Dr. Paul. There is no emotions, poor quality, confusing, I've seen better youtubes out there that would make a better commercial.

It was like sitting down and eating supper with no seasoning.

Don't get me wrong I am a supporter of Ron Paul... but the commercial is not very good and I hate to say that.

I don't know how this will play in Iowa, but I think the emphasis on abortion is a real mistake for wide appeal in the national campaign.

Why did the ad start with abortion, as if that were the main issue that Ron Paul is running on? Voters who don't know him will get the impression that he is primarily a religious, social conservative candidate. And even those who do know him will wonder if they have misjudged him, since he has chosen to place that issue front and center. As I recall, he did the same thing in an earlier major speech (at the Ames straw poll, if I remember correctly).

Moreover, when he is quoted as saying that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, people will interpret this to mean that he thinks that the Federal government should make abortion illegal nationwide, whereas I'm fairly certain that his actual position is that the matter should be left up to the states (regardless of his personal opinion on abortion) -- which would, of course, be the actual legal result if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned.

Overall, the ad seemed to jump from issue to issue without much focus, and I was left with a summary impression of Dr. Paul quite different from what I expected -- and not necessarily very libertarian.

Now, I wouldn't use the word "libertarian" in an ad, but I would definitely focus on personal liberty as the consistent principle underlying all of his positions. In my view, any ad should start with liberty as the unifying principle (together with Constitutional government), and then apply that principle to each of the major issues he wants to talk about.

Ron Paul's consistent philosophy of liberty is the special reason he has gotten this far, and that's how he can get to the White House! Anything else is a distraction.

I like it!

It's solid information, my favorite kind.

I watched the first half & I thought it was very well done! I really, really liked all the info presented, and remember thinking this is just what my old-fashioned conservative (Reagan era) mother would appreciate!

The brief, emotional clips like A New Hope are great for someone first being introduced (esp the younger crowd), or someone who already loves the message... but people need more substance! they want to go beyond that first impact.

But then, I have never been one to go for an emotional message!

It might get me to look twice, but I need to hear / see the person (candidate) talking, size him up... does he seem honest? does he waver when giving an answer? does it seem like his words are scripted or does he *really* know what he is talking about? Is he comfortable in his own shoes? Is he willing to talk about important issues, or just rhetoric on the more trivial topics? Is he willing to take an unpopular stand, and explain why it's the right position?

These are questions I need answered, and it can't be done with mini-clips, or stirring music.

I think the commercial has it's purpose, different than the net-savvy supporters online who can just whip around the internet and get the info they yearn, once being drawn in by a clip like a New Hope.

I agree, also, that Dr. Paul has won his seat over & over again, against high odds, and he certainly knows what he is doing!

He's doing very well, the commercial is catered toward the people of Iowa.
Farmers that work long hours may wake up at 4am and watch this infomercial. It's very good.

Plus, isn't it nice to have a candidate that doesn't waste money on high end production costs and focuses on the issues?
He's stretching his dollar as much as he can.

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Can Huckabee afford such an infomercial? Can any of the Republicans?
Let's not discount the power of a well placed infomercial, Ross Perot comes to mind.

If Perot didn't leave at the last minute and then rejoin the ballots I think he would have won. It was that one little moment of hesitation the Perot had.
Regardless, those well placed low budget production cost infomercials alone did wonders for his campaign.

I sent this to some of the state campaign coordinators with hopes they might be able to get campaign's attention:

Unless the campaign knows something that no one else in the media
business knows, they must start producing professional advertisements.
The new 30 minute infomercial for Iowa is not very good. My son is a
student at a media arts college and he said that infomercial would
probably get a "B" in Intro to Editing. It is violates numerous
standards for shooting, editing and post production. It is bland and
will not keep peoples attention or cause them to focus on the points
trying to be made. People are giving money they cannot afford to give
and the campaign, time after time, is releasing amateur looking TV
ads. Please tell them they need to step it up! Thanks.

This is not a pep rally. This is the best forum to give people an opportunity to know what Ron Paul stands for and why. I believe it is excellent. Also, providing a phone number is so helpful. There are many, many people who do not have access to the internet and this is as good as it gets.
It also gives you insight into his character and that really shines through.

Healthnuttie for Ron Paul

I think the true beauty of this video, which will appeal to the voters of Iowa, is that it does not come across as if a speech writer gave RP a script. You can see from this video that RP is speaking what he inevitably believes to be the truth.

Although bland at times, the video will reach to a wide demographic and those who are so inclined, will go online and see that the message has not wavered and will get to see the more passionate and emotional videos that most of us are already familiar with.

Good Job ... not get out to vote Iowa ...

This is targeted to republicans voting in Iowa, not NYC. It will play very well there - "slick" adds don't win in the heartland ... they want a guy like them and Ron Paul comes across very well.

www.signbomb08.com

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

go out and build something of your own. People that have been going around nit picking every single thing they can are a DRAG on the rest of us. Why dont you STOP looking at what others are doing since you cant seem to be positive and instead spend your time going out and helping the cause?

So it's not as enticing as some of the better YouTube vids. If it was, the Headlines would read.... Mean Dr Paul cause entire Nation to cry.

"No War, No Income Tax, No Big Brother, No Kidding."

I think the video is perfect for the likely viewers who will be watching. It's the holiday period and people want to relax and settle down.

and I hated the first commerical....but this makes sense...

This is just the type of video I've been looking for to show at nursing/assisted living homes,etc.

It has a lot of Ron Paul just talking and explaining his positions.

It has "regular people" stating why they will vote for Ron Paul.

It's a very "calm and reassuring" video. Older people know that something is wrong with our government BUT they are not prepared to believe the truths that we know concerning planned corruption.

PLEASE HELP! Those who do videos. This needs to be modified by taking out the very end concerning Iowa so that it can be shown in every state. If someone can do that, and then repost as a video to show seniors it would be greatly appreciated.

I like that they chose to expand on his straw poll speech. This gives him a chance to get into more depth on those issues, in a more relaxed setting. The bits at the end did seem slightly disorganized, but not bad. They are good material, anyway. Overall I thought it was pretty good. I'd probably watch it, if I were a voter looking for info on candidates. And I'd like what I saw of Dr. Paul if I did. It definitely wouldn't push me away, as a (paleo)conservative Ron Paul Republican. :-) All that said, it could be tighter, but I'm not worried about that. I think Iowans will find it helpful and honest. So far those who know Iowa seem fine with it, so let's see what happens.

Keep working, folks. We're winning!

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Get active NOW to put Ron in the general election. ronpaul.meetup.com

I disagree... What has attracted everyone to Paul is his message. I thought the 30 min spot delivered his message on the main issues of Life Liberty and the Constitution. The power is in the simple message of Freedom- the one he's been delivering for years. And RP comes across as trustworthy as usual. That's all we need to win. Keep the Faith!

LewRockwell.com had a great article on the Pro Life position. It was so clear of an analogy that anyone could understand it.
I would urge you to look it up and take time to read it a couple of times.

In Liberty's Cause

Growing up in rural Texas, and understanding that, the campaign is obviously going after an older demographic, I say good job !. This is exactly the type of Television my Grandparents would watch. I think most of us on the Web are 1/2 the age of the people whom this production it trying to attract. We got the Dr. Paul message here on the internet in a format that is attractive to us. I think it's completely logical that the format of the message be changed for the intended audience. They aren't going after University of Iowa students with this ad ...nor should they be. I thought a lot of the editing was poorly done but there's nothing better than Dr. Paul speaking about Dr. Paul. This is what sold me...What sold you, Liv the Ron Paul Girl or the Ron Paul Stick Figures? (see googlevideo.com)

I'm from the mid-Atlantic; but I have had conservative farm family in Iowa.
I watched this, all the way through -- I felt the message is there, right on! It is strong, and it is delivered mostly by Dr. Paul; it is Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul; all the way! Boring? To whom? Not me!
Short formats are good, too, yes!
I'm not opposing spreading short forms around -- I hear you. But don't short change this production!

...And I donated what I could not afford, too! (Because I can not afford to loose the Constitution!)

--Dezzy