Ad Wars: Norm Coleman and the Power of the Puck
In a political environment as treacherous as this one for Republicans, there's still one tried and true strategy to court voters: pork.
As we have written before, Republican incumbents have already surmised that their best strategy to win -- given President Bush's unpopularity, the tarnishing of the Republican brand and the huge number of people who believe the country is heading in the wrong direction -- is to remind voters of what they have delivered during their tenure in office.
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) is the latest incumbent on the transactional bandwagon with a new ad in his race against entertainer Al Franken and, possibly, former governor Jesse Ventura (I). (Check this space later tonight for an update on Ventura's candidacy; he is set to announce his decision on whether or not to run on "Larry King Live" tonight.)
Let's take a look at the ad.
If there was any question about Coleman's appeal in this race ("I can get things you want"), it's erased in the first line.
"If there's one thing about Norm Coleman, he gets things done," says the ad narrator, a guy dressed in a bowling shirt at a bowling alley.
As the actor lists Coleman's accomplishments ("increased college Pell grants...helping us get energy independent") voices from off-camera repeatedly yell: "And, he brought hockey back."
Coleman, the former mayor of Saint Paul, is widely remembered both in the city and statewide for his aggressive advocacy to bring a National Hockey League team to the city. The Minnesota Wild arrived in the city in 2000 and have been an untempered success in the eight years since then.
Given that hockey is something close to the official sport of Minnesota (Gov. Tim Pawlenty plays regularly), this ad is a savvy play by Coleman. Not only does he remind voters that he is an effective representative for the state but he also does it in a fun way that plays into the state's well established fondness for ice hockey. (A sidenote: When will ice hockey return to Connecticut? The Fix still misses the Hartford Whalers.)
In a political environment like this one, these sorts of transactional appeals may be the only way for a Republican incumbent to win. It may not be enough, but it's all endangered GOPers have at the moment in terms of a positive message.
Watch for lots more Republican incumbents to follow Coleman's lead in the very near future.
By Chris Cillizza |
July 14, 2008; 5:45 PM ET
| Category:
Senate
Previous: Obama Addresses Iraq, McCain Hits Back |
Next: MN-Senate: The Body is...Out

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Posted by: Andrew, Raleigh | July 15, 2008 10:52 AM
Hey Sen: Coleman since you been in the u.s senate all you did was start a witch hunt
for the Sec.Gen,which you have fail it, it comes out that the GOP was behind the oil for food scandal! plus as a St.Paul residence,we know that the beans will be spill about the death of Sen: Wellstone,and how the Gop selected you as the hatchetman,and Pawlenty as distraction,
CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
PRision For Coleman.
Posted by: Jim | July 15, 2008 9:48 AM
Six years ago Norm ran for Senate as a pro-War Bush lackey, and I wondered then how he would reinvent himself once Bush and the Iraq War were revealed as disasters. Given the number of reinventions in his career prior to 2002, I had no doubt that he'd find a way.
Posted by: aleks | July 15, 2008 5:10 AM
So his plea for votes is "Vote for me, I'll get you stuff you want but don't need (like Hockey) as long as you don't ask for what you need (like peace, decent health care and an energy program)."
Sounds like a winner to me.
Posted by: capemh | July 15, 2008 12:05 AM
Strange that Sen Coleman has to go back to his days as a mayor (a job he was first elected to as a Democrat) to find something significant for which voters might thank him. He should be a savvy enough politician that voters are more apt to ask "What have you done for me lately?"
Norm: What HAVE you done for me lately?
Posted by: bsimon | July 14, 2008 10:33 PM
The hockey deal works both ways. There are many of us who remember that this was brought to us courtesy of the taxpayer.
Norm was also instrumental in trying to get the Twins into St Paul - there was a referendum on this - and it failed.
Also, this ad both helps and hurts Norm - this hurts him with the base of the party who opposes this pork message.
Posted by: Eva Young | July 14, 2008 8:55 PM
anObama=kingofzouk. A worthless, unemployed slob who lives in his mother's basement and has no life, except to post attacks on Obama on this blog all day long.
Don't feed the useless, pathetic troll.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2008 7:28 PM
Chris:
A suggestion:
Check first thing in the morning to see if David Remnick was a large contributor to Hillary Clinton.
You can buy me a drink next time I'm in D.C.
Posted by: scrivener | July 14, 2008 7:12 PM
Memo to "Harry":
Our agency has hackers, too. We know who and where you are.
Expect a visit from Mossad. Can't say when.
Have a nice day.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2008 6:51 PM
Let's see... he's in a bowling shirt, in a bowling alley... the crowd is shouting about bringing hockey back...
This ad is all pucked up.
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Posted by: scrivener | July 14, 2008 6:47 PM
Was it really necessary to show the guy missing a tooth at the end? LAME
Posted by: CTman | July 14, 2008 6:20 PM
Yeah, I hate it when somnething that is supposed to be funny is so true. some of my people won't understand that.
Posted by: snObama | July 14, 2008 6:12 PM
Noting about the subject of the day.
The New Yorker Cover.
So let me just say, to the two sneering Jews I just saw talk bout how stupid we are is to dislike it:
UNTIL you think a satire of some ugly jew sniveling about the holocaust is funny. Shut up.
Remnick is obviously a Clinton supporter.
Posted by: harry | July 14, 2008 6:08 PM
All you people who gave to me before have to to get back in the game. I am running low on funds and do not yet have the ability to raise taxes through the roof to cover it. I have expenses and piano lessons and posters cost. Just because we beat hillary doesn't mean it is over.
Do you know how big a plane I need to transport my immense ego?
give now and make it hurt. this will prepare you for my tax policies later. Otherwise I may have to flop back to public financing again and what will I say - I made an error in judgment? that was supposed to be what I was good at, before the truth came out, you know. and before we won the war, you know.
Please help me, I am way over my head. all of Jimmy's cabinet want their money up front, something about losers not paying their bills.
Also is there anyone out there who will be my VP, no one seems to want the job.
Posted by: snObama | July 14, 2008 6:05 PM
Oh-oh. another pol who refuses to run with Obama.
Reed - why would I want to destroy my future?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2008 5:52 PM
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I miss the Whale too Chris. I still hum the Brass Bonanza at work and wear my Dineen jersey. However, the city was too stingy to keep the team considering everyone outside of the immediate city were either Rangers or Bruins fans. Luckily I live in Raleigh, NC can conti nue to support this storied franchise and had the pleasure to see not only Ron Francis' number raised to the rafters but saw in person our team win the cup from our WHA rivals. Best regards from a Whalers fan.
PS. when will the media apply the same scrutiny on McCain as it does on Obama? i'm not saying there's a right wing conspiracy but wow does the news reporting these days seem lopsided.