Dean Launches TV Ad Blitz in Six States

[Nambe]

Presidential Elections - AP

Democrat Howard Dean launched a $1 million television ad campaign in six early voting states Tuesday, promising to take his surging presidential bid nationwide while rivals focus on New Hampshire and Iowa.

"We intend to beat George Bush, but in order to do it we have to campaign in all 50 states," Dean said in a telephone interview. "This is the rollout."

In a show of political strength, the former Vermont governor will begin airing a new ad Friday in selected markets in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington state and Wisconsin. No campaign has ventured to the nation's four corners with political spots.

The move forces Dean's eight Democratic rivals to reconsider their ad-buying strategies as they seek to keep pace with his fund-raising and organizational strengths. ---

[Cha]

1. Kick!

:kick:

[fabius]

2. Go Dean!!!

Incredible!

He's raised a million bucks too.

Saw him here in Portland, it was packed, hardly room to stand up. Kicked in 50 bucks, then another 100.

Go Howard!

Full disclosure, I will vote for any Democrat. Still, Go Dean!

I saw part of the speech in NY - he looks tired. Deserves a bit of a rest. Still shaking hands and working the crowd.

Quite a contrast from shrub who ducks for cover right after he speaks and leaves in an armored limo with Secret Service escort.

[David Zephyr]

3. Dean's Six State TV Ad Blitz Also Covered in Today's LA Times.

This is the guy that will beat George Bush.

[noonwitch]

14. I'm starting to agree that Dean can beat Bush

Especially if he chooses Clark as his running mate. They'd be unbeatable.

[not systems]

4. campaign in all 50 states

I love that he is taking the campaign to more
states this is what we need to get congress back.

This will give Dean real coat-tails when
he wins in 2004.

Go Dean!

[Born Free]

5. Americans needs a fighter

Everyday Dean sounds better, Americans need someone to stand up for them, Dean wants to do that and I am impressed.

[NickDanger]

6. Can't win

even against pathetic Bush

[buckfush2]

7. Nick, you're such a tool

Dean is the ONLY one who can beat pathetic Bush.

Registering new voters, and exciting the base are the 2 keys. He's got em both.

[dolstein]

15. Sorry, but your math is wrong

Exciting the base and registering new voters will at most get you half way to the 50 million votes the Democrats will need to win the 2004 presidential election. If Dean is unable to appeal to moderate dems and independents, he's toast.

[haymaker]

19. Are you saying moderate Dems would choose Bush

over Dean? You cannot possibly be saying that. Any Dem, moderate or not, who votes for Bush is a pathetic, fuckin fool. Can you name ONE thing that would make a Democrat vote for Bush over any of the candidates?

[DemNoir]

9. You remind me

Of all those "Democratic leaders" who at one time were saying "Bill Clinton, he cant possibly win!"

[LoverOfLiberty]

10. I hope you aren't too proud

to admit you were wrong.

Why don't you just sit there on the sidelines. Certainly you can't believe you are contributing with these kinds of negative potshots. Go support another candidate, please.

[prolesunited]

16. Would you care to elaborate?

Or are you just going to post and run?

[NickDanger]

17. Clark has the best shot

I just don't sense that Dean can do it. Wrong state, wrong look, wrong background. We need someone who can beat Bush on the military angle, and Dean can't do that.

[haymaker]

20. Back under the bridge

with you.

[gasperc]

8. Rove/Bush have been watching Dean ie the marriage act

Without a doubt, they've been watching Dean and that marriage act talk was a weather balloon to test Gay marriage as a wedge issue, paint Dean to far left to govern, piss off moderate voters etc. Slimy, I hope Dean has a good counter attack for it

[DemNoir]

11. May not be an issue with voters that matter

I think the people that get upset over the civil unions issue are very unlikely to vote democratic anyway.

[JaneQPublic]

12. Ad Age article: DEAN CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF FIVE-STATE AD PUSH

http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=38590

--$1 Million Media Buy for 30-Second Spot

---snip

In the single 30-second ad due to air for two weeks, Gov. Dean is shown discussing health care for seniors and the need to end the Bush administration's tax cuts for failing to revive the economy. The spot is being produced by Trippi McMahon Squier, a political consultant in Alexandria, Va.

---snip

While the early ad buy could give Gov. Dean an advantage, it also poses some risk if, as expected, the campaign accepts federal matching money. One of the conditions of the federal match is that candidates accept limits on the total amount of money that can be spent during the primary season. Condidates who spending now will have less to spend in the month or two before next year's primaries.

Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNS/MI's Campaign Media Analysis Group, said that together with earlier Dean buys in New Hampshire, Iowa and Texas, this latest ad push represents a shrewd attempt to expand media coverage and fund-raising.

"His earlier decision to spend $120,000 on an Austin spot got him full coverage on Meet The Press. By going up with this early buy, he is moving to become a national candidate," Mr. Tracey said. "At a time when there is a virtual blackout on media coverage for the race because of California governor's race, the buy could help his fund-raising more than anything else and help him get attention."

MORE...

[Bandit]

13. Dean is on the cutting edge which shows he has very high intelligence

He is first in most everything which gives him the advantage of national media attention which is free advertisement for him. Very smart man if nothing else.

[tedoll78]

18. I'm glad he's doing this, but..

Now that the Sleepless Summer Tour is over, I really hope he spends some more time in Iowa and New Hampshire, at least to not take them for granted, and to make sure that his momentum there is for the long haul. If he sweeps those two, wow. Really - wow. And maybe a good chunk of time in Suth Carolina; showing in first or second would be really nice for his campaign.

[Khephra]

21. He's going back to Iowa

either this weekend or next. I'm not sure which.