Opie has a very good idea.

[kristopher]

I'm not sure how we handle third party ads, but this seems like a good start for centering the process back on the candidate.

How many think this would help?

Making Campaign Ads More Honest
-Ron Howard

Instead of candidates hiring people like yours truly, to create campaign media that works on both conscious and subconscious levels to sway the voting public, what if all TV ads were, by law, only allowed to feature the candidate, with, say, the American flag as the backdrop, alone, speaking directly to the camera? Perhaps the words also subtitled on the bottom of the frame. No music, no graphs, no cut-away shots of disturbing or sentimental images. Only the candidate, talking to us, the voters.

Level the playing field. Don't make...

The rest is at Huffpo: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ron-howard/making-campaign-ads-more-_b_754821.html

[virgogal]

1. There you go----I always knew that kid had potential.

[Touchdown]

2. Good point. Now, how about directing a movie that doesn't have Vince Vaughn

... saying that "Electric Cars are so gay!"

[blondeatlast]

3. I'm so totally for that idea it hurts. I knew that kid was going to turn out well! nt

[Just One Woman]

4. Campaign money

I would like to see campaign money either capped and/or campaigns supported by the people. Equal amounts and equal time.

[gmoney]

5. And they should all begin "I am not a witch..."

[mysuzuki2]

6. Andy and Aunt Bea brought him up right!

[kestrel91316]

7. Andy didn't raise no fool for a son!

[Kablooie]

8. Not a bad idea. Might limit the YouTube selection though.

It's kind of like the Motion Picture Academy.
When they send out screeners they can't have any liner notes or graphics other than custom lettering of the title and a list of credits for consideration.
Also studios can't host parties or give out freebies to influence votes.
It's the same kind of attempt to level out the playing field.

[Qutzupalotl]

9. I think the current Supreme Court would strike it down

as unconstitutional. I mean, they think MONEY is speech, so we know they'll think speech is speech.

However, I can't help but think he's onto something. I'd like to see someone do this voluntarily. Start a trend.

[Hannah Bell]

10. actually is a good idea. very nice, opie.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. The Supremes will knock it down

Prior restraint

[Uncle Joe]

12. This seems like a good idea but I would use a giant copy of the U.S Constitution as a backdrop,

instead of the flag.

They don't swear an oath to uphold and defend the flag, maybe if they had a Constitutional backdrop, their voting patterns and proposals would better reflect the best interests of "We the People."

Thanks for the thread, kristopher.