15 y/o Creates First Ever US Senate Campaign Television Ad

[CarlSheeler4U]

Hello. This is like a public service announcement. Please share widely on the blogosphere and fellow progressives. I'm sure David Swanson and Bob Fertig would be proud!

Come visit a preview of our first television ad. We have 200+ spots running beginning the end of this week. They’re unique as they were produced by a 15 y/o peace activist who has a national following. A US Senate race first!

http://www.carlsheeler.com/video.htm

The hottest topic on most people’s minds has been the Middle East and what quagmire we may be in if we don’t start using our heads. It happens to coincide with our web site reaching 1,000,000 hits this weekend.

http://sheeler4senate.blogspot.com/2006/07/1000000-hits-energy-israel.html

Thanks for your time.

Cheers,

Carl
Sheeler… a working US Senator
www.carlsheeler.com

[Joanne98]

1. CONGRATULATIONS AVA!

DU is soooooooo proud of you.

[CarlSheeler4U]

9. Pleasev visit her site and let her know.

[Greeby]

2. Take a bow, Ava!

;)

[CarlSheeler4U]

10. She is priceless.

Please share widely. I need this to flame DU and the net. Help me okay.

[klook]

3. Nice job - simple, dignified

Presents an image of reliability, conscientiousness, trustworthiness.

What's that music?

[CarlSheeler4U]

12. Thanks. She is gifted and I'm humbled by her help.

Please share widely.

[xchrom]

4. how wonderful! ava is amazing -- just wonderful!

[CarlSheeler4U]

14. agreed. please share throughout net

[Joe Bacon]

5. Thank you Carl & Ava!

That's a great ad that packs a 1-2 punch!

[CarlSheeler4U]

15. Thank you. You can help with the KO. Please share widely

[Cronus Protagonist]

6. Pretty much what one would expect from a kid

Sorry to those of you who think this ad is good, but let me have my opinion too. Why is everyone fawning over this lame ad? It's not as good as any professional ad I've ever seen. Sure, the kid needs to be encouraged, but I question the wisdom of a politician who would put that ad out for his campaign.

And before you start piling on, remember this is a campaign we need to win, not fritter away on promoting the career of a promising student.

YMMV

[karlrschneider]

11. You should see some of the "professionally produced" crap

being aired here in Oklahoma. I don't know if any of them are online but if I see any links I'll let ya know. Oh, BTW, it's "fawning".
;-)

[CarlSheeler4U]

17. Trad my reply. He's entitled to his opinion.

[CarlSheeler4U]

16. Where do you want to see us in 10 years?

It's not encouragement, it's the fact that most political adds could morph almost any candidate with precise imagery that assures plastic. It might look good, but is it genuine or another one night stand. We considered the traditional route. Most progressives are tired of the worn path to status quo. I'm betting my future on her and she is on me.

[Cronus Protagonist]

20. I hope for your and our sake and that the public responds as here

I just doubt it will be so, and I wish you the best response possible to it.

In case you're interested as to what I think isn't working about it... I can't read half the words as they're not bold enough - poor font choice. Some of the words appear right on top of the candidate's face. Visions of the flag are less than appealing now that it's been used as a political football. And the ad tells us absolutely nothing about you, the candidate, and extolls us to vote for the "candidate you trust" rather than the candidate who placed the ad. I might watch the ad and wonder why you trust a child to handle this for you, why you think some video of a flag, you standing beside people in suits and uniforms, you talking to an old man while holding a water bottle in your left hand is going to work for you?

I'm left wondering what would you do for the voter, what is your platform, what can we count on you for, and I also wonder if that judgement is the kind of judgement we need in the Senate?

Still, having said that, I want you to win, which is why I bring words of caution.

Good luck with your gamble, and it is a gamble, as you know.

P.S. I would also ask you to you change that pic on the top right of your site to one where we can see your teeth. You look like Justice Roberts in that pic - not a good one for you as I can see you're quite easy on the eyes otherwise. Are your teeth all bad? If so, my recommendation is to get them fixed this week and smile widely. A wide, open smile works wonders.

:)

[CarlSheeler4U]

25. Candid. A lot to ask in 30 seconds.

That's why ours is a series of ads. The actual footage will be much higher resolution. We had to accomdate for people's slower downloads.

Sad as it seems, look into what the largest criteria the public looks at when making a selection... (emotional connection) likeability and authenticity. They have been surveyed and asked what the candidate stated or what they stood for and often are unable to reply. Sad, but true. My teeth are fine.

[Cronus Protagonist]

33. Emotional connection is why I asked you to use smiling pics

You don't want to look like you're hiding something, like your teeth, for example.

And I think you're right about what the people want. People are sick and tired of Bush and they want a breath of fresh air. You need to be that breath of fresh air. As you noted, people need to feel good about you, so you need to smile. Look at the guy who's kicking Joe's ass in Connecticut - smiling and playing a piano. That's how you win. IMHO.

I was noting that a blowing flag is a waste of screen time, when you could be smiling at us and telling us how you would take care of all the problems that the current government created, perhaps kidding some cute children and petting a dog. I trust some of the other ads you mentioned address some of these issues, and could you consider putting up at least two pics of you smiling with teeth showing in your gallery?

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. I'd put it in the average category. I don't think it's any....

better or worse than professionally produced political ads I've seen. But since I don't have a particularly high opinion of political ads, perhaps that isn't saying much. It's a nice piece, but I don't see it has having a particular punch. I didn't learn much about the candidate as a person or his position on critical issues. This election cycle I'm looking for bold statements that lay it on the line. I'd rather hear voices than background music. To me the piece seems like a nice intro to play on a screen prior to introducing the candidate for a public speech. Or in the background at a house party. It's not grabbing me as a television spot.

And Carl, you know I am sooooo rooting for you!

And as much as I hate to say it, I have to agree about the photo on the website. Show some teeth! :) Damn, stuff like that shouldn't make a difference!

[CarlSheeler4U]

27. PP Thanks. See #25

[Redneck Socialist]

7. Link's not working for me, but congrats anyway Ava. n/t

[karlrschneider]

13. Didn't for me either but the other one near the bottom

"click here if you're having problems viewing" or something like that...worked for me.

[Redneck Socialist]

19. Ahhh, that one worked.

Must have missed that at first glance.

Well done Ava. I like the shot of Arlington (if that's where that was) in the background. A good reminder of what this is all about.

[CarlSheeler4U]

28. I thinks he likes it. That was the point of the piece....

Please share widely.

[CarlSheeler4U]

18. Give it another retry. If not let me know

[e-mail]

[karlrschneider]

8. What a refreshing change from the usual nasty attack ads we see

so much of. Well done, Ava! :yourock:

[hwmnbn]

22. Wonderful quietly elegant ad.....

Kudos to Ava for creating it and to you for running it! :thumbsup:

[CarlSheeler4U]

29. Thank you.

It is exactly what we had hoped to capture for our intro piece. Please pass it along...

[brer cat]

23. I liked it and thought it refreshing...although I'm no pro. n/t

[CarlSheeler4U]

30. None of us are pros. We all have opinions.

I thank you for yours. Pass this allong widely please.

[Hissyspit]

24. Keep up the good work, Ava AND Carl!

:thumbsup:

:patriot: :patriot:

[CarlSheeler4U]

31. Thank you. Can you do a small favor?

Pass this along widely. It's a netroots effort that needs a shared shove.

[longship]

26. Simple and elegant

Love the music. Isn't that little ditty from Mozart's KV 331 sonata? Can't quite place it.

[CarlSheeler4U]

32. I have no idea, but love the classics too.

Like it? Pass it along widely please.

[mogster]

34. I think it's great!

Very dignified and spot on :-)
Good work, Ava!

[CarlSheeler4U]

35. We can make a difference

Please pass along!