Independent candidate Larry Pressler sends out a campaign video that refers to him as a Republican:
"Listen to the words of South Dakota Republican Senator Larry Pressler...," intones Walter Cronkite, reminding us that on February 4, 1980, Pressler was a Republican. Pressler hangs that "Independent Honesty" tag on himself at the end, but Cronkite's statement is the only explicit reference to a party affiliation.
Hmmm... is Pressler trying to remind his historical base of his old allegiance and service?
And another thought from a friend of the blog: consider the message of this Cronkite ad. Pressler is honest. Pressler resists corruption. Pressler doesn't get involved with easy money from shady foreigners (well, in the case of Abscam, pretend foreigners, but the message is still there). The press isn't talking about any dishonesty, corruption, or rich foreigners in the Weiland or Howie camp. If the text and subtext of this ad sip anyone else's milkshake, it's the Mike Rounds milkshake. Slurp slurp, Larry!
Larry seems to be a bit confused, he is an Independent candidate, Cronkite calls him a Republican, and he has supported Democrat President Obama.
Most Independents in congress caucus with one party or the other, which one will Larry caucus with?
Pressler has said that if elected he will be able to resume his leadership role in the senate, wouldn't that be a Republican leadership role?
Roger, Mr. Pressler was pretty coy when talking about which party he would caucus with, but also pretty savvy. He said in essence that he would retain his seniority and would listen to offers from both sides, looking for the best committee offers. If no good ones were forthcoming, he might not caucus with anybody. That way he'll always have both sides listening to him. Pretty good answer I thought. He's an interesting guy.
That is interesting Bill, although I think it would be difficult to avoid politics as usual as well as wanting to return to his seniority.
Is South Dakota capable of voting for a non-partisan?
Mr. Pressler will indeed play the middle ground. But he is serving a good purpose right now and has zero chance of winning anything.
Mr. Pressler is entertaining, and I just bet he has some doozie proclamations in the chute.
According to Mr. Pressler, the restoration of his seniority will be automatic. Once he returns to the Senate he will have the same status as if he had never left. He's also promising to serve just one 6 year term, so he won't be spending any time fundraising. Like I said, pretty interesting candidate. A lot more there than I imagined.
Will that seniority issue play with South Dakotans, who've been known to throw powerful incumbents overboard?
If nobody campaigns against him Cory, his name ID and experience are net pluses.
Running that commercial, his old Republican base will come out and vote for him. Rounds should be nervous.
At least one of you has experience in the advertising business. Question: Does Larry Pressler need formal permission from CBS and/or the Walter Cronkite estate to use Mr. Cronkite's likeness, voice and clip from CBS News to promote Larry's candidacy in a TV ad?
Not wanting to nitpick, but when the politician uses buzz phrases like independent honesty, is meeting the test he created?
Not trying to be the skunk in the cotillion, but that's a fundamental question in advertising, right?
Determination of seniority[edit]
A senator's seniority is primarily determined by length of continuous service: a senator who has served for 12 years is more senior than one who has served for 10 years. Because several new senators usually join at the beginning of a new Congress, there are eight tiebreakers:[1]
Former Senator
Former Representative
Former President of the United States
Former Vice President of the United States
Former Cabinet member
Former state Governor
Population of state based on the most recent census when the senator took office
Alphabetical by last name (in case two senators came from the same state on the same day and have identical credentials)
When more than one senator has served in the same previous role, length of time in that prior office is used to break the tie. For instance, Barbara Mikulski, Richard Shelby, John McCain and Harry Reid all took office on January 3, 1987, and each had previously served in the House of Representatives. Mikulski, having served 10 years, is more senior than Shelby, who served 8. They are both more senior than McCain and Reid, who each served 4 years. McCain, however, outranks Reid because Arizona's population was higher than Nevada's at the 1980 census.
Current seniority list[edit]
Dems are special-they have the most senior junior Senator(Harkin of iowa) and the most junior senior Senator(Warren of Mass).
They also have the most senior senior Senator-Leahy and the most junior junior Senator-Walsh.
He would only need permission from the network. The broadcast is their property. But the story being about Pressler makes it his as well. I doubt there's an issue there.
Not sure I understand your question about his brand positioning, 96T
I saw the ad - and I was impressed. It is one of the best cmpaign ads I've seen in years, and it sends a strong message.
Some people may focus upon the Republican vs. Independent issue, but I don't see that as a legitimate complaint. Everyone with any memory at all knows Pressler was a Republican for years and is now running as an Independent. Part of that may be due to him knowing he wouldn't get support from the Republicans, but part of it also seems to be an honest mindset shift towards the middle. In short - Pressler's time in Washington has taught him if he wants to make a difference he has to put aside the partisan politics and focus on real people with opposing views.
If Pressler would have run against Noem instead of running for Senate again, I'm quite certain he would earn my vote as I haven't been impressed with Robinson thus far. However, putting him against Weiland makes it more difficult as I beleive in what Weiland stands for and believe he could be the Senator our state needs - and will need for the next decade.
Bill,
Thanks for your response. Every election or two, the Associated Press and the daily newspapers make a stink about their intellectual property when candidates replicate their stories or editorials. I would assume that CBS News (or their local affiliate KELO), a far greater enterprise than South Dakota media, would prefer a candidate gain permission first before using their property. That's all.
Technically, it's a so-so ad. Effective message, though.
I first saw this during the Academy Awards. The American Hustle tie-in made Sen Pressler very relevant
96T, I'm not working with that campaign, as you might guess, but I'd be surprised to learn they haven't covered their bases. Hypothetically speaking, what's the downside if a network objects to Larry using a story about himself. Who would people think less of?
Pressler or the stingy network. ;-)
First, I am reminded of sitting in a bar with a guy who was the star quarterback in high school 40 years ago and that is all he can talk about. Huh? You haven't done anything noteworthy since? Wife? Kids? Nothing?
Second, I am reminded of a guy bragging about the time he took out the garbage. Huh? Being honest is what South Dakotans expect from their elected leaders just like my wife expects me to look to see if the garbage needs to go out every morning.
BTW, I think in the end Pressler will take equally from Rounds & Weiland and will have zero net effect on the outcome.
Troy - the point is, unlike many of our current crop of politicians, Pressler has proven he can't be purchased. Many make that claim, but he is one of the only politicians who has evidence to support him.
Even Pressler himself admits it shouldn't be something to brag about. Doing the right thing should be standard practice, but one look at how many members of Congress are millionaires suggests they have other ideas.
I'm sure Pressler has many other accomplishments he could talk about - but this is a subject that will resonate with the voters. We all complain about corruption in DC, we all complain about corporations buying votes, we all complain about how politicians no longer work for us but instead work for whoever gives them campaign contributions... and Pressler is listening. It is a powerful message that can connect with anyone who feels Congress is broken.
I agree with you that Pressler won't have any impact on the outcome... but in the meantime I'm still enjoying his message. It is quite clear Pressler ran out of f***s to give years ago and has no interest in lining his own pockets. That is refreshing.
I just wish he would have picked a better race to enter. The House, Governor, heck Mayor of Sioux Falls... I'd be more apt to support him anywhere that he wasn't competing with Weiland or someone who has such potential.
Remember how Abscam was a big deal back in the day? Nowadays, polititians hold "fundraisers" in the hotel ballroom, rather than the hotel room.