Truth in Advertising

2006 Campaign Ads Reveal Progressive Populism

CAF analyzed how candidates in eleven contested, battleground-state races presented themselves to their constituents. The TV spots, speeches, websites and policy agendas of successful candidates campaigners were progressive and populist. This report explores what that means for the 110th Congress and '08 elections.

See the Full Report »
(PDF, 29 pages)

Progressive Populism Revealed

The TV spots below reveal the major populist themes that candidates ran on in the 2006 elections. As discussed in our new report, these ads and themes are emblematic of those featured in hundreds of campaigns across the country.

A New Direction in Iraq: Opposition to President Bush's failed occupation in Iraq and a call for a new direction were key to many races.

"Less Safe" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Representative-elect Patricia Madrid (D-NM)	"Over" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Representative-elect Ron Klein (D-FL)

"Course" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
	Even the centrist Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released its own, hard-hitting ad against the failed occupation of Iraq.

Economic Populism: Senators-elect Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) set the standard with their ads on economic populism.

"The Standard" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Senator-elect Sherrod Brown (D-OH)	"Charlie" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Senator-elect Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

"Turn Around" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Senator-elect Bob Casey (D-PA)	"Deficit" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Senator-elect Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Ending Pay-to-Play Politics: Many candidates focused on challenging the corrupting influence of campaign money donated by special-interests.

"Drug Deal" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] DCCC	"Big Sugar" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Representative Clay Shaw (R-FL)

"What Kind of Person" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Senator-elect Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

"They'll Raise Your Taxes" Didn't Work Republicans attacked tirelessly on taxes. Senator-elect Sherrod Brown (D-OH) shows why that message didn't stick.

"Tax Cuts" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Senator-elect Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Energy Independence Virtually all candidates supported the Apollo Alliance position that American energy independence will support national security, protect the environment, and create the next generation of good American jobs.

"New Energy Economy" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] Governor-elect Bill Ritter (D-CO)	"Energy Future" [SEE FULL-SIZED AD] US Chamber of Commerce for Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)

	Even the U.S. Chamber of Commerce jumped on the energy independence bandwagon. Their actions may belie their words, but the ad they ran on behalf of Sen. Rick Santorum shows where the country is moving.