O man, this is gonna be GREAT

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27095-2004Aug23.html

MoveOn, Mobilizing the A-List Against W

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 24, 2004; Page C01

Hip-hop impresario Benny Boom, who has directed videos for P. Diddy, Lil' Kim and LL Cool J, didn't need to have his arm twisted to join an anti-Bush advertising campaign.

"I felt like Bush stole the last election and the whole country kind of got robbed and bamboozled, and I wanted to make sure I did my part besides voting," he says. When he was approached by the liberal MoveOn PAC, "I was like, yo, I want to do an ad myself."

A celebrity-saturated effort to defeat the president kicks into high gear tonight in New York with a premiere featuring music by Moby, the Roots and Natalie Merchant, and appearances by actor Kevin Bacon, Boom, liberal radio hosts Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo and onetime candidate Howard Dean. The opening-night glitter is designed to publicize the forthcoming MoveOn advertising campaign, which includes all manner of famous people.

Actress Rebecca Romijn-Stamos gets behind the wheel of a car and stars in an ad, co-authored by Norman Mailer's son, called "Stranded Republicans." Woody Harrelson writes, directs and stars in "Cheney Is Not on Our Side." Martin Sheen, the "West Wing" president, voices a spot written by John Sayles.

The list goes on. Margaret Cho stars in an ad she wrote, while Matt Damon voices a spot called "The Disappeared." Actor-turned-activist Rob Reiner directs and voices "The Mistake," while Illeana Douglas and Ione Skye appear in an ad written by Franken. Scarlett Johanssen, Ed Asner and Bacon provide the voices for an animated spot called "Who Profits?"

...more...

[Beetwasher]

1. Oh Man!

No wonder Rove had to release the vet smear early...They are about to get eviscerated...And no wonder Chimpy is whining about stopping all these ads.

[juajen]

51. Well, it's all because of *. He is the great uniter, ya know?

EOM

[Droopy]

2. Excellent

Is it just me or does Kerry have more support from actors and musicians than most presidential candidates have had? By support I mean in the way of activism.

[villager]

3. just saw the Rebecca Romijn ad...

...for an article I'm writing covering similar ground -- i.e., Hollywooders pitching in and donating their time.

Good stuff, funny succinct...

[VolcanoJen]

19. More info, please!!

What's the commercial about... what's the "storyboard," if you will?

[villager]

37. she's driving a truck through the desert...

...and picks up a stranded middle-age businessman guy (lucky guy!) with a Bush/Cheney '04 sticker on his bumper. "You a Republican?" she asks, driving along toward a gas station.

He nods, then she says, "too bad you don't have a candidate to support." Off his quizzical look, she then begins to list, in quick soundbites, all the "non conservative" things -- massive debt, intrusive gov't, reckless warmongering -- that the neocons are up to.

I won't give away the twist at the gas station.

But let me report from the edge of the Pacific that there was a huge outpouring of cast/crew/production folk willing to do pro bono work on these commercials in order to do their part in helping get America back...

[Jacobin]

43. I just saw a piece of that one and it sizzled

EXTREMELY well done, but I only saw a snippet and didn't see the end.
running to google

[villager]

46. where'd you see it?

Curious now, just from the standpoint of the article. Everyone involved has given me different "release" dates, though all of them are fairly imminent...

[kentuck]

4. How many people has Bush pissed off ???

:shrug:

[michigandem2]

5. i am going to sit bacn and finally enjoy this stuff...who knew

politics could be so exciting! LOL!

[no name no slogan]

6. More from the story....

Cripes, I knew the Repubs were hard up for talent, but this is truly pathetic...

(Bush campaign spokesman Terry) Holt says: "John Kerry may have The Boss, but we have the commander-in-chief." He acknowledges, however, that celebrities can help draw attention to a political message, which is why Wayne Newton, Stephen Baldwin and Bo Derek will be at next week's Republican convention in New York.


Hmmm....lesseee.....that makes how many talented actors, gifted musicians and etc. for Kerry/Edwards, and....

a poor-man's Sinatra (Newton), talentless (h)actor who gets his gigs because of a more talented brother (Baldwin), and a washed-up unintelligent no-talent model-turned-actress who makes her $$ by appearing in her equally untalented husband/director's crap movies (Derek)?

Wow, and all this time I thought we had a few PROBLEMS....

[mzmolly]

7. Where's Brittney!?

:P

[merh]

11. Stephen Baldwin is a repuke? Are not most of his family

members liberals? How sad, but then I learned last night my baby brother has consumed the kool aide - he loves the weed and he called Kerry a Commie Lover (he is only 39 - he knows nothing about the vietnam war!)

I mourn the loss of his mind and heart! :cry:

[VolcanoJen]

18. Stephen Baldwin became a Fundie a few years ago.

He's an evangelical Christian now, and like many other Fundies, he's decided that following Jesus requires you to become a Republican.

Because, you know, Jesus was all about tax cuts for the rich, and wars, and stuff...

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

32. It puzzles me

that they do seem to think being involved with a belief in Jesus means you should be a rePub. Don't they know anyhting about Jesus? He's the Original Liberal :)

[flpoljunkie]

8. Moveonpac: "TEN WEEKS CAMPAIGN. DON'T GET MAD. GET EVEN!"

Click on link to join movonpac and receive details of Ten Weeks Campaign.

http://www.moveonpac.org/10weeks/

This Friday, August 27th, MoveOn PAC will launch "10 Weeks: Don't Get Mad, Get Even!" – an unprecedented series of ads that feature the work of many well known directors, actors and other artists. On each Friday for the next ten weeks between now and the election, Moveon PAC will announce a new grassroots initiative in its campaign to elect John Kerry, paired with one of the "10 Weeks" ads.

Anyone can visit the web site and view the featured ad of the week, but only MoveOn PAC members will have access to higher-quality versions of the ads, the archives, and more. Sign up as a MoveOn PAC member now to guarantee access to these features and receive notification when new ads are posted.

The "10 Weeks" ads feature the work of notable American film directors and actors including: Matt Damon, Rob Reiner, Richard Linklater, Scarlett Johanssen, Kevin Bacon, Al Franken, Rebecca Romijn, Martin Sheen, Margaret Cho, Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream), Donal Logue, Ed Asner, Charlie Fisher (Bush in 30 Seconds Ad Contest Winner), Moby, John Sayles (Silver City), Allison Anders, Illeana Douglas, Ione Skye, and many others.

Every ad in this campaign bears the unique handprint of the directors and artists who created them. But they’re unified by one goal: unseating President Bush in November. That’s the whole reason for this campaign and why we’re so grateful to have this unprecedented caliber of talent, working side by side with MoveOn members to take back our country.

If you are already a member, you will be the first to know about the "10 Weeks" ads when they go up and you will have access to the special features and the archives. If you're not a member yet, sign up with MoveOn PAC now to gain access to these ground breaking ads as they are revealed. We've got 10 weeks left to change the course of history.

[cthrumatrix]

9. this is why the repugs want ALL 527's stopped now..... too late

you are going to get roasted shrubya...you thief

[Nordic]

29. ding ding ding!

ain't that the truth.

Man, they're gonna get creamed.

Makes me wish I lived in a "battleground state". Here in CA we don't see any of this stuff except when it makes it on the news

[West Coast Democrat]

10. Repubs were busy readying their new celebrity ads as well....

but then they test run with a focus group, and realized that nobody recognized any of their celebrities.
:-)

[Bombtrack]

12. So, they're going to put hollywood people in anti-Bush ads?

I really do not think that's going to help us. People aren't going to be swayed by people they're at least a little bit mad with jealousy of. Sorry but it's reality. I'm all for these people being utilized in different ways, such as youth GOTV efforts, at rock clubs and things like that, but in tv ads? I'm not sure.

[library_max]

13. So how did Arnold Schwarzeneggar get elected governor? /nt

[Lex]

14. Exactly! n/t

[calico1]

20. Right. And don't forget Sonny and Clint.

Their celebrity status definitley helped them. Besides, if Selleck and Keith can shoot their mouths off then Kerry celebrity supporters certainly have a right to voice their opinions.

[shraby]

15. I think actors are thinking

if Bush gets elected they will get censored. Nothing worse than censored artists...they don't take kindly to it.

[Bombtrack]

26. That isn't even what the issue is. I'm not talking about why they're

against Bush I'm talking about the judgement of moveon of running commercials of Hollywood celebrities bashing Bush or telling people to vote for Kerry. They can be used in ways that will help us.

Showing up at events as a draw to get people to listen to why they should vote for Kerry or to get them registered. At fundraisers to get people to shell out bucks in hopes of meeting the celebs. But having Rebecca-Romijn-Stamos in a moveon ad saying whatever anti-Bush/pro-Kerry statement she said makes no sense. Are you people going to tell me that the Christian Coallition running a Jessica Simpson pro-Bush ad isn't going to get ridiculed here? Maybe I'm not understanding exactly what they're doing with the celebs. And I'd love to see the ads, particularly Ms. Romijn's as I'd never pass up an opportunity to see her perfect being. That endorsment ads will work for us only from non-hollywood people. Preferably popular politicians in each state. (Bob Graham in Florida, John Glenn in Ohio, someone in Missouri).

Cause lets face it, people who are going to be swayed by Scarlet Johannsen or Matt Damon more to Kerry or by Bo Derek more to Bush are among the biggest idiots of even the undecided voter. And it would turn more undecided people off .

[BillZBubb]

41. You've managed to miss the point entirely:

First, the celebrities get media attention for the ads--and the message.

Second, people who otherwise might not watch an ad, or just tune it out, will pay attention to some of these celebs. If just some of the message seeps in that is great.

Third, many unpolitical types love celebrities. They are precisely the people Kerry needs to get. The ads will appeal to them.

[Bombtrack]

21. He was running, not telling you who do vote for or against.

Maybe you see that as a subtle difference but it isn't. He's also an international icon like few other people.

Again, I'm not saying that celebs can't be helpful. They can. But not by running tv ads. People already know that the Hollywood A-list backs Kerry, and that they would have backed any major dem candidate.

Also, Endorsements of any kind tend to work in getting people elected when they pull votes away from peoples dispositions. So for republicans, hollywood-izing a candidate works better and in relationship to that, a hollywood icon like Arnold works. Just like minority canidates and famous minority support helps republicans. In reverse democrats who can be seen as Christian or "tough" or having support from non-hollywood type celebs like Athletes or independant politicians or commentators work in getting them elected.

[Lex]

25. Ummm, he was campaigning for Bush in 2000, was he not? n/t

[Bombtrack]

27. Campaigning for, not in endorsing in tv ads

I don't know how many more times I need to say that. Arnold probably showed up to energize crowds of republicans at some events and what not. But that isn't the same thing as what I am talking about being stupid.

[NV Whino]

28. Advertising...

First, successful advertising relies on name/face recognition. Person or product. Actors fit that bill.

Second, I don't believe anything has been said about the actors "indorsing" Kerry. These may well be issue adds, and I hope they are.

[bobbyboucher]

30. Only morons think that the "elite" is TELLING them

who to vote for. Most thinking humans just listen and consider it and weigh it with other info that they know and have read. Sure the Repubes want their drones to THINK the "elite" is TELLING them what to do, thereby creating some sort of condescension type outrage, but that is just idiotspeak. We don't need their idiot votes.

Quit carrying Repube water, it's nonsense. They are not telling anyone to do anything, and the elite are on Wall Street and in the Boardrooms. Fucking duh.

[johncory]

16. Remember Sinatra?

In 1945 Frank Sinatra produced a short film - The House I Live In

He would later be branded a socialist sympathizer for his work, and then decades later he was hailed for this very piece of work.

Artists have always been in the lead of the revolutions against the tyrants by speaking the truth of the common class.

Excerpt from The House I live In:

"The howdy and the handshake
The air a feeling free
And the right to speak your mind out
That’s america to me"


cheers to MoveOn and all involved.

[Hamlette]

17. Don't all 527 ads have to stop 60 days before the election? n/t

[berry]

23. I think the rules just tighten.

In the last 60 days they can run issue ads, but not mention the candidates' names or show their pictures, or tell people to "vote for ___!" This still leaves a lot of leeway for ads.

Anybody please correct me if I've got this wrong.

On edit: Now that I think on it, I have a question too. Do the rules also forbid mentioning the *other* candidate by name or showing his picture? I haven't seen this mentioned (or don't remember, anyway).

[Leilani]

40. Saw the Elections guy today...

He said there are 2 kinds of 527s; simply put, 1 kind can keep advertising, the other cannot. The difference is the way they raise money, & whether it is hard or soft money.

Move on has both types of 527s, so they will be able to keep advertising.

I am not sure which can mention names & which cannot. But the good news is that Move On can keep going till the election.

[SidDithers]

34. MoveonPAC isn't a 527...

Moveon.org is. PAC's are subject to different rules, I believe.

http://www.moveonpac.org/whoweare.html

Sid

[Karenina]

22. YYYYES!!!

:toast: :party: :toast:

Who profits, indeed!

[NightOwwl]

24. It really is telling that

artists, musicians and actors almost always support Democrats. In general, these are imaginative, intelligent, talented individuals who worked hard to make it in a profession where there is very little chance of succeeding. This doesn't sit well with the party of conformity and obedience.

[realFedUp]

31. yeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! n/t

love the rallying cry!

[TNOE]

33. This is going to be thrilling

ANYTHING besides the sleaze we've been handed will be a beautiful thing. Even if the message shocks some, the people giving it will cause notice. These are going to go a long way in helping to take Bush* down.

[THUNDER HANDS]

35. question for anyone honest enough to answer...

will this help us in swing states?

yes or no

[TNOE]

36. Yes

definitely. Remember - there are many new young voters and frankly citizens who will be voting for the 1st time - they can be influenced by messages from recognizable people, especially if the message rings true.

Bush* & Co. are playing to the lowest common denominator - the stupid, uneducated, rich and fundementalists christians. The rich don't give a shit what he says or does, he's got their vote, the funde's will vote for their Armageddon, and we can only hope that we can get 50/50 of the stupid and uneducated to come away from the Repub side to the Dem side - its certainly worth a shot.

[blondeatlast]

39. Among the young, yes, but they aren't profligate voters.

It may hurt us with seniors, actually, and they do vote in droves.

[unslinkychild1]

48. Yo, Dude

Is that a BOX turtle???? Who's the senator/congress critter that gets hard-ons for box turtles? EWWWWWWW!!!!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

50. Yes or no? If the question whether, and not how much, yes.

of course. Advertising works. Better for these folks to volunteer their services that have to pay people to do the same things.

[blondeatlast]

38. Woulda been nice to see them star in reworks of the homemade ads, IMHO.

There was some incredible stuff in those.

[jonnyblitz]

42. delete

nevermind.

[Jacobin]

44. Most in the entertainment industry remember the McCarthur era

They see it coming again and they are getting off their butts to do something about it.

[JPJones]

45. Yes, the loss of the Philippines was a great tragedy n/t

[unslinkychild1]

49. LOL n/t

[MirrorAshes]

47. I knew I was in love with Scarlette Johanssen for a reason!

Oh yeah.