The absentee ballots for Montana’s Primary Election were scheduled to go out yesterday (Monday, May 5). The campaign ads are in full force and can be seen on the local television stations. Today I take a closer look at two more ads – one from Corey Stapleton, a Republican who is running for the U.S. House in Montana, and one from Steve Daines, a Republican who is running for U.S. Senate in Montana.

“Terry Stapleton”

On May 3, 2014, the Corey Stapleton for Congress campaign posted a new ad called, “Terry Stapleton.”

Here is the script:

TERRY STAPLETON: My husband, Corey Stapleton, is a man Montana can depend on. We’ve been through a lot together, from high school in Great Falls, to the Navy, four kids, and late nights apart while Corey was fighting for our children’s future in Helena. I see Corey’s faith, conservative principles, and love of our family in everything he does. And that’s why I know in Congress he will be just as loyal to us in Montana as he will be fearless in taking on President Obama.
COREY STAPLETON: I’m Corey Stapleton and I approved this message.

In a review of the video, it starts with Terry Stapleton sitting in a nice house with a piano, some flowers, and there’s a coffee mug on the table. Mrs. Stapleton is dressed casually. Her name appears on the screen. The next scene shows Corey and Terry in the kitchen doing dishes. A child is in the background opening up the refrigerator door. The next scene shows Corey sitting at a table helping his daughter with homework. Terry stands behind them. The next scene is back to the original setting. Then we see Corey and Terry looking like they are posing for photos. The next scene shows the whole family out for a walk on a dirt road. On the screen are the words, “Corey Stapleton for US Congress.” Then we are back to the first scene, but the camera has zoomed in some on Mrs. Stapleton.

The final scene shows poor Corey looking a little cold outside by a fence and there’s snow on the ground. His hands are in his blue jean pockets. The campaign logo is displayed and the disclaimer is shown on the screen.

My analysis of the “Terry Stapleton” ad:

It’s always interesting when candidates use family members in their ads. The Stapleton family looks like the all-American family, so why not parade them out for all of Montana to see. With limited money, I think it’s better to have people who are not relatives star in the ads. Terry Stapleton did seem to learn her lines well, and she delivered them nicely. It was one of the better performances so far this campaign season by a candidate or family member. Maybe she can assist Steve Daines with his lines. She even managed to add that Corey would be fearless in taking on President Obama. GOP candidates saying they will take on Obama is an almost required line here in Big Sky Country.

Ironically, a third-party group is also running an ad on TV in support of Stapleton. It has some of the same scenes from this ad.

I give Stapleton’s campaign ad “Terry Stapleton” an eight out of 10.

“Overreach”

On April 29, 2014, the Steve Daines for Montana senate campaign posted a new video called “Overreach.”

Here is the script:

STEVE DAINES: We see abuses of power every day. Overspending, ObamaCare, the IRS. But the NSA’s program of collecting our phone records is really troubling. As someone who worked in high-tech, I know what government can do with our personal data. That’s why I stood up to the Washington establishment and supported the USA Freedom Act to stop the NSA from collecting the records of innocent Americans. I’m Steve Daines and I approved this message because big government can take away our freedoms.

In a review of the video, viewers will first see Steve Daines (looking cold) standing outside in the snow with a coat on, with his hands in his pockets. His name is displayed on the screen. There’s a yellow barn in the background and some mountains. Then we see the U.S. Capitol, then the White House with President Obama, and an IRS building. Next on the screen is a map and then the words, “NSA Violated Privacy Protections” which is credited to the Wall Street Journal 09/10/13. There’s a small box on the bottom of the screen with sound waves to make it look like people are having their calls monitored – they even included a clicking noise to make it sound real.

Next we are back to Daines standing outside. When he says, “That’s why I stood up…” the camera zooms in on him a little. Next Daines is in an office setting standing and talking to two men. On the screen are the words, “Daines is the original co-sponsor…of the USA Freedom Act.” Sidney Herald 11/12/13.

The next shot shows Daines standing at a table with six people sitting around it. Daines is pointing at something on the table, but the people are looking at him. The article from the Sidney Herald is still on the screen. The next shot shows Daines back outside by the barn, hands still in his pockets with his closing statement. The Daines campaign logo and paid for sentence is shown on the screen.

My analysis of the “Overreach” ad:

Daines is a co-sponsor of the USA Freedom Act, which is H.R. 3361. It has 143 co-sponsors. It was introduced on 10/29/13 and that is the same day Daines signed on as a co-sponsor, so he is an original co-sponsor. It’s been in a House subcommittee since January 9, 2014. Although it has several co-sponsors it’s not moving. The bill may not even do what it’s intended. Deputy U.S. Attorney General James Cole testified that the “legislation wouldn’t necessarily inhibit the NSA’s surveillance capabilities.”

If you are afraid of the government watching your every move and monitoring your actions, this campaign commercial is aimed at you (no pun intended). But the bill Daines touts as a co-sponsor has not passed, so don’t come out of your bunkers just yet. Daines ends the ad with “because big government can take away our freedoms” which sounded kind of odd. I’m looking forward to more ads from Daines saying he is supporting a bill to outlaw chemtrails and drones. Daines still seems like he is reading instead of speaking from the heart.

I give Daines’ campaign ad “Overreach” a six out of 10.

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