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...are better suited for general election ads. While it is obviously true that Republicans and Independents will see these ads, what matters most at this stage is that the candidates appeal to Democratic voters. And not just any Democratic voters, but those Democratic voters who actually vote in primaries, or even more extreme, go out on a cold Monday night in January in Dubuque or Des Moines to stand up for three hours at a caucus.
I thought Barack Obama's ad showing testimonials from Republicans was particularly inappropriate. Republicans have demonized us liberals (again, that part of the Democratic coalition that show up for primaries) and called us traitors. We have no use for their approval, none. (By the way, I'm sure that the Republicans featured on that ad are probably decent and moderate and have no use for Ann Coulter, but who the hell cares? I see (R) and I see red!) Break out that ad in October 2008, Senator Obama, if you get that far.
Maybe a few snippets from Republicans' ads, when juxtaposed with these ads, might be illustrative. I would guess that a lot more "red meat" gets tossed out over their side. Are they worried about seeming too extreme at 15 months before the general election? I don't think so.
