`RATS' NO BENEFIT TO BUSH CAMPAIGN.Byline: Todd Hoston THE Republicans and the Bush campaign dismiss the ``rats'' which appeared in an ad critical of Al Gore's prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, proposal, passing it off as a mistake. They even hinted it was a fade-in to ``bureaucrats.'' Was it an accident, an oversight in editing, or an attempt to subliminally send a negative message to viewers about Gore? These questions should and most likely will be investigated by the FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. . In any case, we have seen what looked like ``rats'' and it's unnerving un·nerve tr.v. un·nerved, un·nerv·ing, un·nerves 1. To deprive of fortitude, strength, or firmness of purpose. 2. To make nervous or upset. . Was this part of some conspiratorial campaign strategy? Probably not. Conventional wisdom among advertisers and political consultants alike is subliminal subliminal /sub·lim·i·nal/ (-lim´i-n'l) below the threshold of sensation or conscious awareness. sub·lim·i·nal adj. 1. Below the threshold of conscious perception. Used of stimuli. advertising doesn't work. Also, from a strategist's perspective, these things generally are unearthed Unearthed is the name of a Triple J project to find and "dig up" (hence the name) hidden talent in regional Australia. Unearthed has had three incarnations - they first visited each region of Australia where Triple J had a transmitter - 41 regions in all. - this incident was caught by a normal television viewer. This is more damaging to a campaign than any benefit the ad may garner. However, never discount the lengths some candidates and consultants will go. Using visually manipulative tactics is common, and while they may not be deemed subliminal, they are questionable. Remember the magazine cover portraying a darkened dark·en v. dark·ened, dark·en·ing, dark·ens v.tr. 1. a. To make dark or darker. b. To give a darker hue to. 2. To fill with sadness; make gloomy. 3. O.J. Simpson? In the ``Planet of the Apes'' movies, the chimpanzees were good, intellectual, light-skinned and thin-lipped and in constant conflict with the violent, oafish oaf n. A person regarded as stupid or clumsy. [Old Norse alfr, elf, silly person; see albho- in Indo-European roots. , dark-skinned gorillas. And then there's the manipulated photos of those supermarket tabloids. Political campaigns are not exempt from using these tactics, but to what degree they are employed is cause for concern. The Bush campaign continues to shoot itself in the foot, and this may result in its not being able to keep pace in the race to the White House. It is accused of dodging the debates and criticized for Dick Cheney's lack of spark and not adding to the ticket. Now people are seeing ``rats'' in Bush commercials. Bush pulled the ad. However, whether the ``rats'' were real or perceived, he should also take responsibility for this political faux pas and say he is sorry it ever happened, which I am sure he is. |
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