From Jim Gilliam's blog archives
Schwarzenegger learning from the Greenwald playbook

October 23, 2005 1:46 PM

While deep in the midst of working on the Wal-Mart film, Robert Greenwald singlehandedly orchestrated a group of volunteers to put together this nurses spot out of sheer rage when Schwarzenegger attacked them. It was so successful, that it set off several campaigns in California using nurses, firefighters, and policemen to fight back at Arnold... months later his numbers are in the toilet.

And now word comes from the LA Times that Arnold is adopting the very same tactic in selling his propositions: "An avid pitchman his entire adult life — selling everything from gym bags to action movies — Schwarzenegger nevertheless now will rely on "ordinary" supporters to promote his four Nov. 8 ballot initiatives in ads, his campaign said. The remaining ads do not feature the governor or even mention his name. Instead, they include teachers and others asking people to "change California" and vote for the initiatives he backs."

More from the archive in Advertising, California.

Schwarzenegger learning from the Greenwald playbook (10.23.2005)

Next Entry: Factor 8: The Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal (10.30.2005)
Previous Entry: You know you want to... (10.23.2005)

Read the 9 comments.

Paul:

I happened to have my TV tuned into the channel 2 6:00 news (accidentally) and the commercial break was filled with spots on the special election. One of the ads went after Schwarzenegger mercilessly, with clips of him saying he wouldn't be in the pocket of the special interests and how we kicks their butts (with the strong implication that he was referring to firefighters, police officers, and teachers). The closing shot was of a teacher saying that Schwarzenegger wasn't the governor he said he would be. You'll have to see it to understand how incredibly effective it looks to be.

Sun Oct 23 2005 9:20 PM


Paul:

There is also a very effective ad for the proposition to have the courts do the redistricting. It talks about all the money in politics and how the politicians redraw the district lines to suit themselves. I predict that proposition will pass.

I honestly don't know where I stand on it. I'm waiting for the Jim Gilliam slate to be published. :)

Sun Oct 23 2005 10:04 PM


Paul:

In general, I'm for "nix the six" - vote "No" on the first six propositions which are Schwarzenegger's propositions.

Sun Oct 23 2005 10:04 PM


Jim Gilliam:

I thought a lot about the re-districting plan (Prop 77), and decided to vote FOR it. It's definitely not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. A lot of my colleagues disagree with me, but I think it's the right thing to do.

So yes, on 77, 79, 80, no on everything else. Basically, I'm with CALPIRG.

http://www.calpirg.org/

I have a hunch there are enough people like me willing to jump ship from the Democrats to get 77 passed.

Sun Oct 23 2005 10:10 PM


Anonymous:

Congrats to the Iraqi's who voted and decided for the constitution. I know things about freedom arent mentioned here, so I thought I would.

Tue Oct 25 2005 2:57 PM


Tom from Madison:

What about the 115,000 Iraqis who were killed--many by US bullets and bombs? Are they to be counted as among the liberated?

A lot of words can be used to accurately characterize Iraq right now. "Free" is not one of them!

Tue Oct 25 2005 4:10 PM


Anonymous:

If counting dead is your measure of success, then the USA has never won a single war.

Tue Oct 25 2005 6:18 PM


Mike of the Great White North:

Unless your trying to somehow say Iraq under Saddam was a global threat like Nazi Germany under Hitler.... then yes, counting those 115,000 dead Iraqis must be viewed diferrently. When even 1 person is killed, much less the hundreds of thousands, on a stupid, chosen war of simple mindless aggression, that was never waged on the firm belief of bringing freedom, much less a real imminent threat.. well what really is there else to say?

Wed Oct 26 2005 12:20 AM


Tom from Madison:

Anonymous,

you keep mis-stating my points and reacting to your own foolish interpretations.

The COST of this war must include how many have died--including Iraqis. Bush himself keeps trying to measure success in different ways. This is not "measurement", it's SPIN!

The American people just aren't buying it. Iraq is war zone, not showing any signs of improving any time soon.

The costs are staggering, the tangible benefits are few. Most Americans now view the war as a mistake. They're right.

Thu Oct 27 2005 4:48 PM


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