Reagan Invoked in Dem Campaign Ad

[liberalpragmatist]

Reagan invoked in Dem's campaign ad
Virginia Senate candidate features president's praise from 1985

Updated: 2 hours, 39 minutes ago

RICHMOND, Va. - Democrat Jim Webb will air the first television ad of his political career next week - a spot that features praise for Webb from the 20th century's most celebrated Republican, President Reagan. (What about Teddy Roosevelt? Eisenhower? Seriously, Reagan the most celebrated Republican President?)

By using the ultimate GOP icon, the former Reagan military adviser and one-time Republican Webb sends a sentimental message directly to conservatives and moderates his opponent, Sen. George Allen, is courting.

The 30-second ad opens with video of Reagan praising Webb during a 1985 commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy. Interspersed against the Reagan footage are black-and-white photos of Webb as a Naval Academy cadet, as a Marine on combat duty in Vietnam and shaking hands with Reagan.

<snip>

In addressing the graduates, Reagan noted that Webb, a Navy grad, was an assistant secretary of defense in his administration at the time.

"James' gallantry as a Marine in Vietnam won him the Navy Cross and other decorations," Reagan says on the video.

As Reagan disappears from the screen, the shift from Reagan's voice to the similarly mellow voice of a male announcer is barely distinguishable. It almost sounds as though Reagan, who died in 2004, speaks in the present: "Soldier. Scholar. Leader. Now Jim Webb is running for Senate," the announcer picks up from Reagan with no discernible pause and scant shift in cadence.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14731662/

I know Reagan is unpopular in these parts and I'm not a big fan either. But if the ad wins him enough Virginian votes to become a Senator, I'm all for him.

[hughee99]

1. I wonder if this will prompt

Lieberman to run ads with Democrats praising him from before the 2000 election?

[keta11]

2. Let me guess without reading-

Jim Webb in VA.

Do we really know what we are getting with this guy if he wins? IMO, watching him - He doesn't seem to be comfortable as a Democrat.

[killermedic]

3. I agree totally

Granted he has a good idea but he hasn't passed the "smell test."

[SDDEM06]

5. At the very least, we're getting one extra vote

For:
Harry Reid to be the Majority Leader.
Chairman Robert Byrd of the Appropriations Committee.
Chairman Carl Levin of the Armed Services Committee.
Chairman Kent Conrad of the Budget Committee.
Chairman Daniel K. Inouye of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (instead of Senator "The Internet is not a big truck)
Chairman Jeff Bingaman of the Energy Committee.
Chairman Ted Kennedy of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Chairman Patrick Leahy of the Judiciary Committee.

A Democratic agenda which gives greater voice to Feingold, Boxer, Reed, Kerry et al.

And he can't be any worse than Senator Nelson from Nebraska...

[jwirr]

7. Excellent point. We are going to take our country back!

[Va Lefty]

6. Speaking as a Virginian...

He has to be better than Sen. Shithead!! Alot of us are sick of Allen's aw-shucks, faux cowboy act. I wasn't entirely comfortable with that ad, but it was an "introduction" ad.

[TahitiNut]

4. I'd take Eisenhower ten times against Reagan once. Hell ...

:rofl: