Dan Grant, Larry Joe Doherty on TV

I like both candidates (0.00 / 0)

I voted for Dan Grant.

I don't like the negative ad.

Ad hominem? Come on.

"There's nothing new except for the history that you don't know."
-HST

Justice Addict

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by: Colin Kalmbacher @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 08:15:07 AM UTC

A couple of notes from an outsider (0.00 / 0)

Larry Joe needs to say what he's running for in that TV ad, otherwise he looks like some dude that just hates congress.

Dan Grant's message is much more of a contrast but the background of that ad is the exact same one used in Nelda Spears ad. That won't affect a single vote, but since this is BOR I figure we're obligated to point out that fine piece of analysis.  

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 08:24:02 AM UTC

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btw (0.00 / 0)

great article in today's Texan, Colin.

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by: Kedron Touvell @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 23:39:20 PM UTC

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Thanks! (0.00 / 0)

Were you at Scholz tonight? I was lookin' for ya.

"There's nothing new except for the history that you don't know."
-HST

Justice Addict

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by: Colin Kalmbacher @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 09:48:20 AM UTC

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no (0.00 / 0)

I had a Bicycle Advisory Council meeting, so I missed all the festivities.  I ended up watching the debate at the dobie center. :(

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by: Kedron Touvell @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 10:00:28 AM UTC

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And congrats to both candidates.... (3.00 / 1)

...for standing with the Prairie View A&M students in marching with them to vote in Waller County. Waller County is in TX-10 and assisting in their fight to vote is a critical component to electing a Democrat there this fall as it could greatly shift one of the 'middle' counties. And clearly, an Obama led ticket would help with that in November.

Here's an update from Larry Joe's website. Dan Grant was mentioned in our post yesterday and in the news reports.  

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 08:17:42 AM UTC

How will they play? (0.00 / 0)

If there weren't any other races, I think LJD's ad would be more effective, and voters would ding DG for being negative about his opponent. However, DG's attacks pale next to Brian Thompson's or Glen Maxey's (or what we can expect from Clinton and Obama). IMO, voters will give Grant a pass on negativity.

On the flip side, Doherty's ad showcases his showmanship, which only helps to make Grant's argument. IMO, Grant comes out ahead in the exchange, especially with first-time Democratic voters.

And it's the newbies that count. The double Ds and triple Ds will be getting tons of direct mail and phone banking, and are unlikely to be swayed by these ads. The newbies will only be reached with TV, with newspaper endorsements, and with flyers at public events.  

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by: LSadun @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 16:10:51 PM UTC

grant ad not very good (0.00 / 0)

It wasn't funny or hard-hitting. Came across as kind of a cheap slur rather than a real contrast point.

And the picture of Grant studying for a test? Reinforces the "too young" image.

Don't they have a picture of him in one of these war zones?

Lest we forget that much of this district elected and re-elected Ron Paul about 4 times...they like characters.  And any celebrity of any magnitude gets attention in a small towns where a lot of the weekly news is covered.

Doherty's ad was better...clearly their polling indicates an anti-congress attitude (as do every other congressional poll i've seen).

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 16:12:27 PM UTC

"Celebrity" or Substance... (0.00 / 0)

And any celebrity of any magnitude gets attention in a small towns where a lot of the weekly news is covered.

...the choice becomes more and more clear every day.

As a resident of a town of less than 200 people in the middle of the district, I have to disagree with your dismissive comments about those of us that live in this area.

Believe it or not, colin, we READ, have high-speed internet, satellite television...and we're even well-educated on the candidates and their positions!

...Heck, we even have electricity and indoor plumbing!

We might like "characters" but we like characters with authenticity...kinda like Hank Gilbert (who endorses Dan Grant).

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 20:24:21 PM UTC

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what? (0.00 / 0)

you don't have to tell me about small towns. i've spent most of my life living and working in small towns. i've worked on the ground in every county in that district.

notice i didn't say any of the things you assign to me.

the whole basis for endorsements and "special guests" at events is to draw attention. celebrity of nearly any fashion in politics helps a candidate break through the ambient noise and get some recognition/attention.

whether it is because you support grant or not, i don't really care. i was looking at the ads objectively.

objectively, grant's ad shows a very young looking guy studying and tries to link Doherty to anna nicole smith. my comment (which you obviously missed) was that they should use some shots of grant in afghanistan or somewhere to make people say "he's young, but he's seasoned".

Doherty's spot could have been heavier on policy/plans, but they're it looks like their polling is a "throw the bums out" recommendation.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 21:50:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A couple of thoughts: (0.00 / 0)

http://www.amazon.com/Judge-An...

tries to link Doherty to anna nicole smith

Doherty made the link by appearing on her reality show and inviting her onto his show.

And the picture of Grant studying for a test? Reinforces the "too young" image.

Assume much? I would prefer to think that Dan was studying a piece of legislation.

As for Dan's age, that's only an issue as raised by the Doherty campaign and his supporters.  Dwight Eisenhower did pretty well after being in France in WWI, the Philippines, and, oh, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe. But Dan's not a general and hasn't been in the Army.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What...

The qualifications for election to the House of Representatives are:

"No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen."

I think our Founding Fathers probably debated the age requirement at length.

When Dan is elected, he will be far from the youngest member  of Congress.

And any celebrity of any magnitude gets attention in a small towns where a lot of the weekly news is covered.

The point I was making in response to your original comment was that not all attention is positive. Your original comment read as being condescending towards rural voters (at least that's how I read it).

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 00:01:25 AM UTC

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i agree somewhat (0.00 / 0)

that not all celebrity is positive.  No one wants the endorsement of Charlie Manson or John Wayne Bobbit.

again, unlike you i don't have a dog in this fight...i'm just observing from the cheap seats.

i understand the argument that age isn't an issue, but to say he doesn't LOOK young is being a little deceptive.  my argument was never that he's too young, it was that they made him LOOK young and they could have avoided that.

just to clarify: I'm not saying anything negative about either candidate and haven't. I'm just watching it as an objective observer. I'm in no way endorsing for, nor advocating against ANYONE in this race.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 05:08:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Very interesting comment... (0.00 / 0)

One of his opponents main negative talking points when speaking to his supporters is Dan's age.

Sorry I made an assumption about your comment based on that...

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 05:21:21 AM UTC

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Grateful I don't have TV (5.00 / 1)

I hate political ads, because they have to distill one or two ideas into 30 seconds.  I would be appalled at myself for making a decision to vote for a candidate based one either of these ads alone.

That said, I'll be voting for Dan Grant.  If Larry Joe is content to send out mailers with photos of him wearing a big Texas Justice belt buckle, I have no issue with Dan's campaign using the "TV Personality" line.  

Disclosure: Former Political Director for Lee Leffingwell for Mayor of Austin ('09)

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by: sccs @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 17:00:18 PM UTC

Texas Justice is an asset... (0.00 / 0)

...until it's a liability.

Just ask the Doherty campaign.

It's been one of their biggest "selling points". He's got great name recognition because he played a judge on tv...Not like actually being a judge or anything...

How can the Grant ad be characterized as "negative" if it highlights what the Doherty campaign has been playing up as its biggest strength?

With what's happening in the Bosnia/Kosovo region, Dan Grant's international experience becomes more and more important!

All hat, no cattle IMHO.

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 20:09:33 PM UTC

but it is a negative ad (0.00 / 0)

Any objective person watching it would see it as such.

The question is: "Is it an effective ad?" I felt like they could have been funnier or more serious with it.

To me it uses a funny thing and tries to make it a serious reflection on Doherty.  I just didn't think it worked.

But the ad is definitely a negative ad.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 21:53:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

when did factual become negative? n/t (0.00 / 0)

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 05:22:06 AM UTC

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negativity (0.00 / 0)

its pretty obvious grant's ad attacks his opponent.  for what, i have yet to figure out.  i dont know why, but i have seen a lot of negative come out of the grant side and his 'apparent cronies' regarding this district race.  Grant's ad only reinforces what ive been reading and hearing about.  i agree with sccs that voting based on a tv ad is not an informed decision.  if grant is content to go on the offensive, and larry joe is content to send out mailers promoting his 'showmanship' and win in fundraising, then i will be content to vote for whoever has the better chance of winning against mccaul.      

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by: youngtex08 @ Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 22:02:41 PM UTC

After watching Doherty's Ad, I'm perplexed. (0.00 / 0)

The "theme" of the message was universal health care and that Larry Joe will get it for us. What experience in his background makes him qualified to make this claim? Is it having played "judge" on TV or his background as an attorney?

When Dan speaks about international policy, Iraq, Afghanistan and "terror" he's speaking from both his education and his real world life experience. Very compelling. Great credentials.

The question is which one of these gentleman is best suited and most qualified to face McCaul (R-Clear Channel) in the general election?

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 03:37:38 AM UTC

theme cont'd. (0.00 / 0)

i dont recall larry joe proclaiming he could fix health care cause he was a tv judge.  from what i understand, he was an attorney who took cases against insurance companies and their lawyers who cheated clients, and thats actually very compelling when i consider the rich health care companies and their sway.  when dan speaks, it seems, half the time it is spent trashing his opponent, and not addressing how he can beat mccaul.  

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by: youngtex08 @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 13:41:24 PM UTC

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In her endorsement request... (0.00 / 0)

...for the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, Joanne Doherty said that Larry Joe has spent his legal career suing lawyers that didn't adequately defend their clients. No mention of insurance companies or insurance company lawyers.

Of course LJD didn't say he would fix health care because he was a tv judge. Don't be ridiculous. The point is, what are his qualifications for this office? What real world experience does he have beside being an attorney, TV personality, voice over artist and published poet that qualifies him for Congress?

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: liberaldemdave @ Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 20:34:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]