I have no idea if the women I had lunch with today are representative of anything, but they were not part of the University and they thought that this ad was very effective and described it to me in some detail. Having now found it on the Internet, I'm surprised — it seems a little heavy-handed to me. But based on this unscientific sample, one target audience seems to love it…
Recent Bluessky Posts- I gather that Trump's name came off the Kennedy Center after the courts rejected the ridiculous 11th hour attempt (unhinged brief not signed by career lawyers) to block it, but the work was done behind a tarp to block the cameras. Missed opportunity to sell tickets; might have raised real money. June 13, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- There is: Reward your friends and those who pay you. Punish opponents and perceived enemies. June 13, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- Seen at MIA in the TSA departures queue, this invitation to 'self-deport' in exchange for a $1000 per person and a free flight. Although I recall reading they don't necessarily deliver. In any case a sour taste for the start of international travel. June 13, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- In a strange way you almost could admire the Trumpies' leave-no-stone-unturned approach to graft. There is really no bottom. No limit. And justice is at best slow. June 12, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- Jotwell Adlaw: Fred Jacob, Administrative Agencies & the People who Love Them, JOTWELL (June 12, 2026) (reviewing Anya Bernstein & Cristina Rodriguez, Working with Statutes, 103 Tex. L. Rev. 921 (2025)), adlaw.jotwell.com/__trashed-2/. June 12, 2026 Jotwell
I think the ad is very effective. It’s succinct and makes it point well.
I found it somewhat manipulative but I can see how a soccer mom type would love it.
I thought the ball and chain was a bit much. But the issue of long-term national debt needs to be emphasized, and this ad gets that point across well enough.
I think this is a great ad…in many ways, even more effective than Move-on’s winning add (Child’s Play?”)
the ad gives you a few seconds to watch the child before the narration begins…the child’s actions do not change noticeably, so the audience’s attention becomes focussed on the narration. The narrator details the costs of the Iraq war, and you hear that. Then there is cut to the ball and chain….and although the narration continues, what the observer focusses on is the large black object in the foreground. At this point, the effect of the narration is practically subliminal, as the screen returns to the face of the child, this time distraught.
The last shot “Misleader” superimposed over a picture of Bush, is not terribly effective, and to some extent harms the ads effectiveness by emphasizing the politic nature of the ad itself.