The following is an excellent article written by madtownpopulist on the Daily Kos website on October 15, 2018 titled “Elizabeth Warren: One of the Greatest Political Ads in History” and I quote:
Political ads always have to be geared to the historical times. We remember the anti-Goldwater “Little girl with the daisy and the atomic bomb blast” ad; we remember will. i.am’s great “Yes, we Can” video, and you will remember this:
UPDATE: First off, I am really happy that this diary, profiling Elizabeth Warren’s rebuke to Trump’s (and the GOP bullying), has made the rec list.
I am equally happy that the ad has generate a lot of discussion but I am equally surprised at many comments are deeming this ad to be a mistimed mistake. I will put it out there right; that kind of hyper strategic, rationalistic “save your ammo till the exact right moment, focus on specific policy issues, don’t get into the dirt” is not the recipe for success.
Trump’s whole shtick is based on professional wrestling, macho bluster, name calling, taunting. It is an odd way to project strength that works for a non-trivial segment of the population. As with campaign 2106, it also drives the MSM to follow the ratings and hence, they let Trump frame the narrative—as in many more stores about HRC emails, that concerns about Trump’s shady business history.
The Trump-Putin camp clearly intended to use the “Fake Pocahontas” epithet and, the related BIG LIE that Warren used her “fake” heritage claim for career advantage, as fodder for campaign 2020.
Even if Warren did not run, the Trump campaign would have used this disparagement to marginalize her political voice and cast dispersions toward the Democratic Party in general. Once again, she persisted!
Senator Warren called the bluff and what are the results?
First, Trump has been shown up by a woman—that is a big symbolic blow and his camp is already scrambling for damage control.
Second, we have a preemptive effect. If Trump were to bring up the “fake Pocohantas” line, Warren can fire back, I took up your challenge and you owe my charity one million dollars. Cheapskate probably can’t even cover that bet without help from some Russian oligarch but the bottom line, she has effectively taken this attack off the table. Done, finito.
Beyond that, Senator Warren highlighted, in a compelling and personal way, not only Trump’s misogynist, racist, and mean-spirited ethos but that of the GOP as well. This ad is a great follow-up punch to the outrage over the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing.
Third, Warren has an amazing personal story and this video promotes it. While many might prefer to think that “swing voters” are going to respond to detailed policy discussions about financial reform, health care provision, and sustainable job creation, we have seen time and time again, that personal stories and personal connections are the difference makers in winning or losing elections.
Last but not least, there is the concern that Warren has “mistimed” her response to Trump; that her rebuke to Trump’s lying, racist, misogynist rhetoric will somehow distract “voters” from the 2018 midterms. Sorry, I really can’t comprehend this criticism, which runs against all precedent from past elections.
A big part of materializing the Blue Wave is amplifying the negatives of Trump and breaking down the enthusiasm of less committed conservative voters while rallying the Democratic base in a big way. A leading Democratic politician standing up to Trump with a personal truth and a compelling appeal to higher values and ideals IS EXACTLY what is needed for 2018. . In the age of Trump and the GOP’s “winner take all” politics, you have to give voters mobilizing ideals to fight for and also show that the party is willing to take up the fight with them.
2018 is a referendum on Trump’s agenda and Warren is making the case as to why that agenda must be halted in 2018 and then completely overturned in 2020.”
(REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S FAKE POCOHANTAS IS FOR REAL AND IF ELIZABETH WARREN WINS THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY IN 2020, SHE WILL BEAT PRES TRUMP. THE WAY IT LOOKS ON MSNBC, THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT AS HARD AS THEY CAN FOR NATIVE AMERICANS TO VOTE IN NORTH DAKOTA, AS WELL AS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND OTHER STATES, WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE BLACK VOTE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE DEMOCRAT THIS FALL AND IN 2020.
LaVern Isely, Progressive, Overtaxed, Independent Middle Class Taxpayer and Public Citizen Member and USAF Veteran
isely 