fandomhigh | Political Campaigning (Tuesday, March 28, 4th period)

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political campaigning

Political Campaigning (Tuesday, March 28, 4th period)

"Today we're going to watch some political ads," Josh said, walking over to the television. "This has nothing to do with the notes I was writing on the board rearranging themselves to tell me that I was an expletive-deleted tax-and-spend liberal." He glared at the board behind him. "This school is weird."

He popped in a tape. "Pay particular attention to the Daisy ad, the Willie Horton ad, and the ad about the bear in the woods."

He sat down at his desk. "Then, discuss. Why do you think these work? What are they trying to tell the voters about the candidate? Their opponent? How to they make you feel?"

He waved his hands. "That kind of thing. Go. Talk."

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"I'd vote for them," Rory said. "I'd vote for logic and cleanness over unfounded fear any day."

"Could you get enough people to join you, though? That's the problem."

"I could try. I'd rather try that than just give up and vote in favor of something unethical."

"It's politics, there's no such thing as political ethics."

"Sure there is," Rory argued. "It's just rare."

"It's about as common as ethics in war, and believe me, that's a myth."

"More than fair," Angel said. "I'm not saying everyone should take the low road. Just that the high road's got a lot of obstacles as the price you pay for being able to look yourself in the mirror."

Angel grinned. "Not that I know anything about that."

Rory gave a wry smile in return. "See, I see the advantage of the low road? But it's not worth it."

"See what somebody needs to do is come up with a clever way to get strong messages out without going to the negative," Angel said. "See, this is why it's a shame this is such a Puritan country. Sex sells about as much as fear, but you'll never see that in a campaign ad."

"Sex is still an unethical way to go about it. And it still happens," Rory said. "One of the main reasons Kennedy won the debates against Nixon in '60 is because of his looks."

"Nixon avoided the makeup," Angel said. "Rookie mistake in the TV world. But I'm talking more than that. I'm talking messages that say something like 'Vote Democrat, Get A Blowjob'."

Rory looked like she might fall out of her seat at that.

Finally, she said the only thing that she could, and probably surprised no one.

"Dirty."

"I'm not saying this would have to be limited to the guys."

"I...I just - " Rory sputtered. "That would be bribing, in a way."

"Not saying anybody would have to deliver," Angel said. "So really it's more like lying."

Re: Discuss the ads

auroryborealis.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 03:05 (UTC) - Expand

"But that slogan ignores the entire female voter demographic," Callisto pointed out. "Rory, you okay?"

"There could be two slogans," Angel said. "I have nothing against women enjoying themselves."

Re: Discuss the ads

psycho-barbie.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 02:55 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Discuss the ads

notstakedyet.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 02:57 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Discuss the ads

psycho-barbie.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 03:01 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Discuss the ads

notstakedyet.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 03:02 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Discuss the ads

psycho-barbie.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 03:24 (UTC) - Expand

Rory said, "Spuh."

She probably meant, "Yes, Callisto, I am just fine, but your boyfriend has traumatized me."

Re: Discuss the ads

psycho-barbie.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 02:58 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Discuss the ads

threeweapons.livejournal.com - 2006-03-29 03:31 (UTC) - Expand

Josh laughed. "You've seen the people who run for office, right? Katherine Harris and sex shouldn't get within a mile of each other."

{ooc: And yet still using the twins as her biggest campaign platform. No pun intended}

"Who says it has to be the candidate?" Angel asked. "Look at the Willie Horton ad. That's fear by proxy. Why not sex by proxy too? Have Playboy Playmates back a candidate and watch how quickly that earns you votes in the male college crowd."

"California's most recent election for governor," Rory said. "They had a former porn star. She got a ton of votes."

"The Governator himself," Angel agreed.

"Works in Italy; isn't one of their main senators and ex-porn star?" Parker is sad at the state of the world.

Well, mostly.

"God, it's wrong to be really, really keeping notes on this, isn't it?"

"Cicciolina."

Pause.

"...so I've heard."