Wednesday, October 9, 2024

"...And I Approve This Message."

Did anyone ever think what might be an unintended consequence of allowing early voting might be? Paid political ads that start sometime around Labor Day for an Election Day that is two months away: that is the consequence.

Because of some FCC rule I guess, we get paid political ads for candidates that aren't running for New York offices. Take "radical Sue Altman." That at least is what her opponent Tom Kean Jr. paints her as.

And take Sue's ads for Sue: A constituient's voice-over who tells us, "I can't believe the crap that comes out of Tom Kean's mouth." Yep, I guess you can "crap" on TV. Frank Barone has been saying it for years on Everybody Loves Raymond, now in perpetual reruns.

Sue and Tom are waging a war over a congressional seat in New Jersey, a seat for which I have no dog in the fight. So why do I need to keep hearing about Tom and Sue here in Nassau County, New York?

Both candidates vow to keep you safe. Sue apparently comes from "a family of cops." Tom is seen arms folded in front of a police cruiser. Tough on crime these two.

A Sue Altman ad can come on immediately followed by a Tom Kean ad. Or vice versa. Who schedules noise cancelling political messages?

Here in New York, Mondaire Jones is running for a congressional seat I have no dog in either.  I think he's running against Mike Lawler, whose ads against Mondaire Jones portray him as being in the pocket of progressive Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, better known as AOC.

We get a vintage scene of AOC wearing a Covid mask telling us that "here is the pride of New York, Mondaire Jones." It's a negative ad for Mike to make you hear AOC voice screeching for someone. So, if you don't like AOC, how can you like Mondaire Jones? Of course, if you're in the right congressional district.

Both candidates will tell you they're tough on the border issue. No more of this migration of unvetted souls into our county.

Years ago I said to my friend, don't you think there are going to be those who served in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan who will someday be running for an  elected office? Well, it's happening.

Pat Ryan served two tours overseas, graduated West Point, is a solid family man who plays with his kids. He's the champion living room wrestler.

His service record is offered as his bona fides for running for office against Alison Esposito, a Republican who is looking to unseat Pat.

Pat Ryan has the great fortune to share a surname with Tom Clancy's character Jack Ryan. It's got to mean something, right? Again, no dog in this race either.

But, we are going to have an election cycle for a U.S. Senator from New York. Finally, someone I can vote for, or against.

Kirsten Gillibrand is the Democratic incumbent, serving part of Hillary Clinton's term when she was tapped for being Obama's Secretary of State, in 2009, then getting elected in her own right. .

Kirsten's opponent a NYPD retired detective, Mike Sapraicone, who must not have a lot of money to splurge at this point because I haven't seen any ads for him.

This is not unusual when one candidate, usually an incumbent, is so entrenched that any challenger  is faced with a tremendous uphill climb. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York by 2-1.

Kirsten's ads are soft, telling us she's not a politician, but is someone for the people. Get it?

Because of writing this, I looked up who is my congressman who is running for office? The answer is Anthony D'Esposito who is portrayed by his challenger as a drunk behind the wheel, and a cop who lost his gun that was later used in a crime.

His opponent, Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead Town Supervisor, is portrayed as favoring open borders and a liberal who raised real estate taxes.

Of course the presidential ads are starting to percolate, but I expect those. But so soon?

No one ever asked me if I approve these messages. How about there can be no political ads before Columbus Day?

Can we vote on it?

http://www.onofframp.blogpsot.com


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