With elections ending Tuesday, political ads won’t be competing against shitty informercials for some time, but why not take a look back at the weirdest and wackiest political ads this election cycle?
A list of some of the notable ones is below.
1. “Real Glenn Grothman”— Mark Harris
We’ll start with this one on the basis that it greatly understated the controversy surrounding state Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-Campbellsport, who was just elected to Congress. Grothman regularly gains national attention for his antics, including his claim that Kwanzaa is a fake holiday. A 30-second ad barely scrapes the service of the Grothman identity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0bjkSIOgo4
2. “Say Yes to the Candidate”— College Republican National Committee
This multi-state ad campaign that mirrors “Say Yes to the Dress” substitutes Republican candidates’ names into the advertisement, while also oversimplifying women and spurring national derision. The ad ran on the web only, but the Walker campaign was not aware the ad was being created.
(just substitute “Scott Walker” for “Rick Snyder”)
3. “Pizza” — Mary Burke
Gov. Scott Walker bought his supporters’ votes by providing pizza money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu4yQTzxwqM&feature=youtu.be
4.”Comeback” — Walker
In this ad, Walker stands in a hole about six feet deep and proceeds to climb out of it. However, he got some heat from a union official, who scolded Walker for setting an unsafe example by not wearing a hard hat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzV7i2YeBo0
5. “Obamacare support ad” — WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Democratic state Senate candidate Pat Bomhack was criticized for his support of the Affordable Care Act, but this ad features a delightfully comical picture of Bomhack running with a suitcase full of ideas (but bad ones, like Obamacare).
6. “Rushmore” — American Future Fund
Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Burke had the help of a national conservative group to bank on his blunt support of marijuana legalization in order to gain the governorship.
7. “Fortune” — Walker
This is just weird.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGhFTBVv5S8
8. “Meet Joe Leibham” — Joe Leibham for Congress
Big family ads are just hilarious. And one of Joe’s brothers looks like Macklemore.
9. “Baseball” — Duey Stroebel for Congress
Another big family ad. “Youuuuuuuuu’re out!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvNL0VMQg34&
10. “Penny Bernard Schaber raises taxes (pie)” — WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Don’t let Penny take your pie.
11. “Jeff Peck’s group would raise gas prices” — WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Whenever Peck’s name is mentioned, the sound of trumpets blaring plays in the background. Classic cheesiness.
12. “Professional Politician?” — Brian Fitzgerald For Senate
It begins with a trip to the bathroom. And it ends on a barstool.
And “What’ll Ya Have Fitz?”
Scene: The same bar.
