Gone Politickin’

Certain television networks are barren ground for people who want nothing to do with the ongoing federal election right now. I think Mike Duffy pops up on CTV Newsnet every thirteen minutes to cackle on about something or cajole his panel of strategists closer to comitting acts of physical violence in the studio.

Even when the average Canadian TV viewer is just trying to satisfy their Extreme Makeover: Home Edition jones, they are confronted with images and noises that are none too pleasant to the eyes and ears. That’s right, campaign ads. So what’s the skinny? Which party plays it smooth in 30 second slots, and which is airing pitches that have that unmistakable aura of the high school AV club?

Conservatives

Let’s see here. The Tories had the largest pre-election war chest, monied to the gills for the lengthy campaign. Looks like they’re saving up for after January 1, if the production quality of their first set of TV ads is any indication.

Each English language spot opens with Stephen Harper being asked an inane question by a female reporter/lackey/actress. Speaking at an almost disturbingly slow speed at times, Harper then fleshes out one of his party’s policies before cutting to a “person on the street” segment. The whole thing wraps up with graphics straight out of 1997.

The major advantage of these ads is that they do provide a fairly detailed summation of one key policy point. They aren’t clever, though, and are probably about as boring as thirty seconds could possibly be. Hardly the way to convince voters that Harper’s heart actually beats from time to time.

The Conservatives are encouraging Quebec voters to “debloquez votre voix” on January 23. 

Interestingly, the Conservative ads running in Quebec are completely different, including one with a bicyclist pumping the pedals on a bike that has a large concrete block instead of a front wheel. Oh, the symbolism! 

Liberals

By contrast, the Libs have ads so slick you feel like wiping down after watching more than one. Telegenic people of as many ethnicities, ages and body types imaginable cite various things “achieved” by the Liberal government. This leads to the concluding statement — “There Are Over 30 Million Reasons to Vote Liberal - What’s Yours?”

Thirty million whole, diverse reasons? Jumpin’ Jehosephat! Although these ads look good, the message is somewhat undercut by the ridiculous nature of this final statement. Oh, and the fact that many of the people posing as average (if preternaturally good-looking) Canadians are actually Liberal riding executives, party bosses etc. and so on. Paul should have just made a call to central casting.

the NDP

The best NDP ad ever ill always be the one that was actually created by This Hour has 22 Minutes in honour of Ed Broadbent’s return to federal politics in 2004. If “Who’s back? Ed’s back!” doesn’t ring a bell, Google search it — it’s the link right above the 2Pac lyrics.

Ed is gone now, which is a sad thing all around for Canadian politics. On a happier note for the NDP, they have produced the ad of the 2005 campaign so far.

Focusing on Liberal corporate tax cuts, the spot features a Christmas gift, a lump of coal and a boot. The gift is for “Liberal friends,” the coal is for all other Canadians and the boot ... well, you can connect that final dot. It’s highly visual and actually goes for the funny bone instead of the gag reflex, which is refreshing.

Not all is sunshine and lollipops for Jack Layton and crew, however. Their remaining two ads are all about what the Liberals have or haven’t done. Shouldn’t the NDP be more concerned with getting its own position out in public? Most people don’t snap to attention when commercials come on, and if viewers aren’t totally focused on Layton’s complete tirade, the most common word they’ll hear is “Liberal.”