The Republican National Committee announced Tuesday a fresh round in an expected torrent of campaign ads targeting Sen. Mark Begich and other Democrats for their part in the "lie of the year," an assurance that people could keep existing health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
The ad blast turned out to be more of a sprinkle.
In Anchorage, a single radio ad aimed at Begich was set to air on a single station -- 650 KENI -- one time on Tuesday, according to a check of the political ad buys at the two major radio conglomerates in Anchorage. The total cost to the Republican National Committee for the Anchorage radio airtime? $30.
In Fairbanks, the same ad is airing once on KFBX radio at a cost of $25, according to Begich's campaign.
Republicans made a big deal over the ads anyway. On Tuesday, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called a news conference in Washington, D.C., to pitch the campaign -- and the GOP's anti-Affordable Care Act message.
The committee wouldn't say how much it was spending.
Asked whether calling attention to an ad campaign that was so minimal was misleading, RNC spokesman Michael Short emailed an answer: "That is one of the most ridiculous questions I have ever fielded." He earlier called the Alaska ads in Fairbanks and Anchorage a "statewide" effort.
Sorry it took me a couple of minutes to stop giggling before I could start writing this post. All better now.
Not to make excuses for the RNC or anything, but one can hardly blame them for not wanting to waste their money up here.
After all Begich's chances of being reelected improve right along with public opinion of Obamacare, which is apparently the only tool in the GOP toolkit this time around.
That plus the fact that the Alaska Republican party is essentially a train wreck these days, and that the Vaguely Bearded one is the most recognizable name running for the GOP nomination, would serve to make the RNC think long and hard before throwing their money away on a Senate campaign that they had no real shot at winning.
Hell the only thing that could frighten them away from our state any more is if Sarah Palin herself were to suddenly toss her wig into the ring.
... don't give her any ideas, no matter how ridiculous...
ReplyDelete$55 in adverts on something called "AM radio" in the most remote state in the US? Priceless.
ReplyDeleteTest run. This screams test run.
ReplyDeleteThey are saving their better efforts until after people aren't paying attention.
What better effort? What else do they have? "Uhhhhh....well...uhhhhh...he didn't stop us from shutting down the government...
DeleteHi Gryph. This is slightly O/T, but I've been following your blog for many years closely (since 2009!). I admit to being a big fan of documentary films.
ReplyDeleteI know this is longer than you probably have time for, but I wanted to share this documentary. I highly recommend a watch- it's fascinating, and explains so much of the ills of the world today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fbvquHSPJU
Me Too, and this one's a great one as well! Have plenty of coffee!
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FiHRVb_uE0
Thanks for the link. I enjoy documentaries like this. I'm only about 30 minutes into it but wanted to say thanks before I hunker down and watch the rest. I've seen vids and read the works of everyone so far up to the half hour mark. Colonel Wilkerson is a straight-shooter who I have always respected. Thanks again.
DeleteEven my right wing family thinks the vaguely bearded one is weirder than weird!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to stop and giggle. So ad blasting all of Alaska is bombing two radio stations in two towns or Cities and checking off a box?
ReplyDeleteWow, they're more organized than I thought!
Mark Begich will win and I'll vote for him AGAIN. We need to keep Teabaggers and Republicans away from the U.S. Congress .... they are a horrid group and prove it every day they show up to supposedly 'work' and 'obstruct'!
ReplyDeleteI do not like Lisa Murkowski and have never voted for her...don't feel she can be trusted. Watch how she votes...she plays rogue every once in awhile so Alaskans will notice and vote for her. Review her record.
Be careful how you mark your ballot Alaskans!
Mark Begitch is not all that blue, which is how he got elected in AK to begin with.
ReplyDelete