Merkley Campaign Bitter About New Novick Ad

The Steve Novick for U.S. Senate campaign released another winning new ad Monday that pokes fun at same-old-tired political campaigns, although disheveled Jeff Merkley Campaign spokesman Matt Canter seems to disagree.

"It looks like the Novick campaign pulled the plug on their funny ad strategy," Canter told the Oregonian's Harry Esteve. "Like all the reporters I was ready and waiting to see what crazy thing the Novick campaign would come up with next. The first ads were kind of funny, but this one falls flat."

Judge for yourself:



Upon further review, I'd say this 30-second spot is a perfect response to off-the-shelf ads that feature the candidate standing next to blue-collar workers, then health-care professionals, then educators, then firemen, then soldiers, etc., etc, while the deep-voiced announcer reads throwaway platitudes about the candidate being a fighter and so on.

And the ad also succinctly explains Novick's position on Social Security tax.

Canter's overtly bitter comments should be considered a reflection on how good the ad is and how under-whelming Merkley's once-viewed-as-inevitable campaign has been. In less than 24 hours, Novick's ad got 1,738 views on YouTube. Merkley's "fighter" ad, which has been out for two weeks, has 1,728, according to Loaded Orygun.

But don't judge the Minnesota import Canter too harshly. Surely any Oregonian can emphasize with Canter's frustration.

I imagine for Merkley's supporters, watching Novick's ads is like watching Michael Jordan sink another three pointer against the Blazers in the NBA finals.

Or, as Spike might say, "Hey Money, it's gotta be the ads."