New tea-party candidate ad: “Hands”
posted at 5:22 pm on February 16, 2010 by Allahpundit
A clever bit of buzz-leveraging from Tennessee independent Donn James, who bolted the GOP last month and whose campaign website now features all nine principles espoused by Glenn Beck’s 9-12 Project. One question: How did the fair tax, of all things, make it into this showcase of abstract virtues and good-government tropes? Okay, two questions: Wouldn’t a showcase of concrete policy positions have been more useful? All right, three questions: This clip comes via A.C. Kleinheider, who praises it as “pretty solid.” But didn’t he recently accuse Palin of hijacking the tea party? An ad that plays on her popularity within the movement ain’t helping on the anti-hijacking score.
I don’t want to ask, but I have to ask: Is writing on your hand now the tea-party equivalent of that dorky O-bot hand gesture?
Blowback
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Oy vey.
First, that’s just what we need. More independent candidates rather than putting up a fight to retake the GOP. Ross Perot in 2010!
Second, the hand controversy should be mocked for what it is: A non-issue. The hand-writing should not be glorified as a political symbol. It feels like the Obama cult, as AP stated.
I’m not feeling the Reaganesque glow here.
amerpundit on February 16, 2010 at 5:26 PM
Smartly timed. Short. Real.
What’s not to like?
massrighty on February 16, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Another point: Palin wrote those issues on her hand to remember to mention them. This ad seems to send a mixed message. They’re writing “liberty” on their hands because….they need to remember to mention that?
amerpundit on February 16, 2010 at 5:28 PM
This third-party thing is the Democrat’s best hope for November, I’m telling ya…
Midas on February 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM
No. Literally tea-bagging someone would be the equivalent of that.
BadgerHawk on February 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Teh Ghey.
And I like Palin.
alexwest on February 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Gotta say – that’s was one poorly produced video.
Rod on February 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Let’s form the Bagger Brigade
strike without warning
BOOM- BAGGED
blatantblue on February 16, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Nanu Nanu!
BTW, whatever did happen to the “Zero” emblems? Any chance for a revival?
BobMbx on February 16, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Brilliant – I love it.
The American people – nothing like us in this world.
jake-the-goose on February 16, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Glenn Beck, look at what you are doing! Yuck.
terryannonline on February 16, 2010 at 5:30 PM
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WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 5:31 PM
So we must answer these five questions-
Three questions, sir!
Three questions before crossing the bridge of death?
ThePrez on February 16, 2010 at 5:31 PM
Great ad. Don’t know the story in this district, but if the Pubs don’t have a candidate that stands for the people and conservative (at least fiscal conservative) values, then more power to the Tea Party candidate. Love the threat this puts in front of the GOP to get back to the platform and stand for something.
Christian Conservative on February 16, 2010 at 5:31 PM
Could be. The video was kind of dorky, but it certainly is “grass roots”.
If you are trying to equate a hand gesture that the Obamabots made to worship Honolulu Barry, and the teaparty writing on their hands to show their solidarity against the Media slamming of Palin, than you are comparing Apples & Oranges.
portlandon on February 16, 2010 at 5:32 PM
Hands Across America!
debg on February 16, 2010 at 5:32 PM
2 minutes isn’t a short political ad, is it?
Midas on February 16, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Blech. Way too long. 1 minute, tops.
skydaddy on February 16, 2010 at 5:33 PM
I like it. My only criticism is that he should have had the words written in black marker, as it stands out better than red. Other than that, it will resonate with the folks.
yogi41 on February 16, 2010 at 5:33 PM
It does have that obamaesque feel, but that is exactly what worked for him, and that kind of hokey theme is exactly what gets younger people interested. We learned from 2008 that it takes very little to get easily influenced people to jump on a bandwagon. I love that this ad uses that very weapon against the progressives.
I will match your Alinksy and raise you a Machiavelli.
keep the change on February 16, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Is there any more effective way to get a message across than with a Jewel song?
Proud Rino on February 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM
That candidate *was* the GOP guy, till he jumped in order to run third/tea party.
Midas on February 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM
What’s wrong with the Fair Tax?
Juno77 on February 16, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Very Good
conservnut on February 16, 2010 at 5:35 PM
If you want to get the kids to support your candidate, especially in a mid-term election, use a popular musical artist they look up to, like Jewel.
Proud Rino on February 16, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Why red markers? Communists?
El_Terrible on February 16, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Great add!
JIMV on February 16, 2010 at 5:36 PM
I knew the moment the MSM invented the whole “hand writing” scandal that Palin had just hit another home run.
At this point – I’m not even sure that she didn’t PLAN to be photographed with the writing on her hand. She very well could have concocted this up on her own knowing it would be a PR BOON for her.
Like or not – we live in a very anti-elitist atmosphere right now (actually – I LIKE it) … and “elite” snobs don’t write on their hands. Only common folks write on their hands and WWII pilots who used to write target coordinates there (if they didn’t get sweaty palms). So good, EARTHY people who work for a living write on their hands. Expect to see a lot of people writing on their hands.
Mitt Romney is riding in economy class now on plane flights – expect his next move to be getting caught in a photograph …
You guessed it …
Writing on his hand.
I guarantee you it will happen. As El Rushbo says … “Don’t doubt me!”
HondaV65 on February 16, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Did I spot “Rosy Palm” ? I’m sure I did….
CynicalOptimist on February 16, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Hey…where did the SCOTUS blogpost go?
BobMbx on February 16, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Yeah, the Republicans are lining up behind a real Nancy Pelosi there. His name is Stephen Fincher. He’s a farmer, gospel singer, father of three, and self-described conservative.
He’s vowed to vote against any tax increase, oppose socialized health care, support the Second Amendment, defend marriage, defend life, sustain a strong national defense, and oppose massive spending.
So clearly this situation called for a third-party candidate to split the vote.
amerpundit on February 16, 2010 at 5:39 PM
You found the perfect thread for that cut and paste.
BadgerHawk on February 16, 2010 at 5:39 PM
The dude left himself an out for more taxes.
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 5:40 PM
And yeah, this guy was a Republican challenger in a powerful position in the race. He decided to jump to independent, leaving the Republicans to nominate another candidate and probably split the vote with him.
amerpundit on February 16, 2010 at 5:40 PM
It shall now be retired. I got my five or so posts to validate the 15 minutes I lost creating the stupid hand.
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Pathetic.
Just what precisely is this supposed to accomplish? Other than trying to piggy back on Palin’s popularity, this will acheive nothing to attract new or disallusioned voters.
Lame.
Archimedes on February 16, 2010 at 5:41 PM
ROFLMAO!!!
capejasmine on February 16, 2010 at 5:42 PM
new definition to handwriting
hardy har har
you know id like to see palin wearing nothing but some hand writing
ba-da-bsh
im on a roll
blatantblue on February 16, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Let’s all put our hands together for Jeff and his ascii art! Nice!
Wine_N_Dine on February 16, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Uh….its a VAT tax?
unclesmrgol on February 16, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Hah! What better way to get people to remember some important points and use the Left’s own obsessions against themselves.
Juno77 on February 16, 2010 at 5:45 PM
I dunno, maybe Neil Boortz staged a coup. Too many people throwing their own favorite spices into the brew is going to ruin the tea.
MB4 on February 16, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Tea Party Candidate in 2012 = Obama’s second term.
Think about it dumbasses.
Crux Australis on February 16, 2010 at 5:46 PM
The Republican party is to blame. Every person they broke trust with these last 8 years either became an Indie or a Tea partier.
If the Republicans could get their house in order, than there wouldn’t be hardly any Tea Party candidates.
portlandon on February 16, 2010 at 5:49 PM
If only this were an election year…
Oh, wait!
Seven Percent Solution on February 16, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Not that I’m a big Fair Tax supporter, but it’s supposed to replace the income tax, not be created in addition to it.
BadgerHawk on February 16, 2010 at 5:49 PM
As I understand it, its a regressive tax. A family making $40,000 a year is going to pay a higher percentage of their income on taxes than say a family making $100,000, if they were both to buy the same products.
El_Terrible on February 16, 2010 at 5:49 PM
hows this
how about
we dont pay any taxes
and let the lefties who love taxes pay em all
blatantblue on February 16, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Yep, that should help the dems retain control of congress. Historically 3rd parties hurt the Republicans more than the Democrats. Clinton won election in 1992 largely due to the conservative votes drained off by Perot.
docdave on February 16, 2010 at 5:51 PM
It’s a national sales tax. It is going to be difficult to administer. I prefer the flat tax. File your taxes on a postcard.
Kafir on February 16, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Ill reserve my “special hand gesture” for the day the creeps in Congress make their final walks of shame in November.
canditaylor68 on February 16, 2010 at 5:52 PM
The FairTax should be the number one issue for every person running for office. It WILL turn this economy around!
RightXBrigade on February 16, 2010 at 5:52 PM
While what you say is true, that is NOT what a regressive tax is. A regressive tax is where the percentage tax decreases with income (i.e., the opposite of our progressive tax system). Some call SocSec a regressive tax since the tax rate goes to zero after a certain income threshold.
The Fair tax would be more equivalent to a flat tax, in that the percentage does not change with income, but since this is a consumption tax, even that is not apples to apples.
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 5:53 PM
You’d think the Republican Party would learn to stay conservative.
History will repeat.
portlandon on February 16, 2010 at 5:54 PM
This is a big myth. Because of the prebate, every family in America will be paid up to the poverty level spending of the size of their family. This in turn makes is a PROGRESSIVE tax and as well as completely voluntary.
RightXBrigade on February 16, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Fair Tax.org
What about value-added taxes (VATs), like they have in Europe and Canada? Are they not consumption taxes?
While VATs are also consumption taxes, and better than income taxes, the FairTax is not a VAT. A VAT works very differently. It taxes every stage of production.
Juno77 on February 16, 2010 at 5:56 PM
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:eyeroll: ;-)
Abby Adams on February 16, 2010 at 5:56 PM
I like the FairTax, but it really is not politically feasible currently. It would be easier, but not easy, to implement a broad-based, little to no deductions, flat tax.
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 5:56 PM
A Tennessean using piano music? Where’s the banjo?
I did like it, even if it was a little long.
Oh, and I agree about the Fair Tax thingie, but what’s with all the abstract issues? I don’t want an abstract issues platform, I want concrete proposals on how a rep is going to get the Feds out of my life and keep it out.
Dusty on February 16, 2010 at 5:57 PM
That’s some dang good plagarism of my hand! ;-)
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 5:58 PM
Flat tax ftw.
El_Terrible on February 16, 2010 at 5:58 PM
Go big or go home! Most people thought the Revolution wouldn’t turn out the way it did either.
RightXBrigade on February 16, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Could someone refresh my memory on what “Fair Tax” represents?
Dusty on February 16, 2010 at 5:59 PM
For the Dems, the hand writing is on the wall.
GnuBreed on February 16, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Don’t bet the piggy bank on it, dude. Sheesh. And I’m pretty sure Rush would want no part of your jackasserie.
Buy Danish on February 16, 2010 at 6:03 PM
dork!
blatantblue on February 16, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Juno77 on February 16, 2010 at 6:06 PM
If you want to go big, strike down the 16th amendment and have the federal government place a head tax on each legal resident of the country, as explicitly presented in the constitution, and then the states have to provide the amount “tax” equal to the number of residents times the head tax to the federal government. Now every state can raise revenues as they want.
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 6:07 PM
The 9 Principles
1. America Is Good.
If someone sincerely believes that America is good, they could have put a little more effort into this one.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
Well, I’ve spent quite a number of years carrying the flag of the ‘Old Conservatism.’ And I can say with conviction that the religious issues of these groups have little or nothing to do with conservative or liberal politics. The uncompromising position of these groups is a divisive element that could tear apart the very spirit of our representative system, if they gain sufficient strength. Being a conservative in America traditionally has meant that one holds a deep, abiding respect for the Constitution. We conservatives believe sincerely in the integrity of the Constitution. We treasure the freedoms that document protects. By maintaining the separation of church and state, the United States has avoided the intolerance which has so divided the rest of the world with religious wars. Can any of us refute the wisdom of Madison and the other framers?
The religious factions will go on imposing their will on others, less the decent people connected to them recognize that religion has no place in public policy. They must learn to make their views known without trying to make their views the only alternatives. We have succeeded for 205 years in keeping the affairs of state separate from the uncompromising idealism of religious groups and we mustn’t stop now. To retreat from that separation would violate the principles of conservatism and the values upon which the framers built this democratic republic.
Ever good Christian should line up and kick whomever wrote this right in the a$$.
- Barry Goldwater
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.
- Groucho
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
This sounds like it was written by a member of a faith healing sect.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
King George III believed this.
MB4 on February 16, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Striking down the dreaded 16th Amendment is a big part of passing the Fair Tax.
RightXBrigade on February 16, 2010 at 6:09 PM
I’m going to borrow that if you don’t mind.
Juno77 on February 16, 2010 at 6:10 PM
I think I am against progressive taxes. Nevertheless, I can still imagine a scenario where Dems would abuse this system. I don’t know, maybe certain districts or states could, and probably should, be offered a different prebate (cost of living higher in some locations).
I can simply see them (libs) creating prebates for their people, and taxing everyone else into oblivion.
El_Terrible on February 16, 2010 at 6:11 PM
I hope not because isn’t nearly on the same level of cheesiness. Not that I am against something stupid being attributed to the Right but not writing on our hand.
Cindy Munford on February 16, 2010 at 6:12 PM
I think it means that Neil Boortz will pay less taxes and you will pay more.
MB4 on February 16, 2010 at 6:12 PM
If one is going to write important stuff like bank account numbers and charge card numbers and PIN numbers on ones person, one should always write it on ones butt where fewer people are likely to see it.
MB4 on February 16, 2010 at 6:17 PM
No way… The O-bot hand gesture, like the posters, the ocean levels receding, the singing children, the Greek columns, etc. etc. etc. was all about creepy religious devotion to a Marxist “cool black guy”…. These people are just picking up on the whole Palin goof (which she goofed on herself about, as you’ll recall). It’s popular “news” right now so it allowed this guy to make a unique ad.
I can’t believe you’d even ask that question AP, but then again… I still don’t understand the roots of your hatred for Glenn Beck, etc.
RightWinged on February 16, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Tea Party:
the Losertarians of the 21st century.
jgapinoy on February 16, 2010 at 6:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g3tQaqizh0
RightWinged on February 16, 2010 at 6:23 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSL4cmFW_GU
RightWinged on February 16, 2010 at 6:24 PM
I do not mind.
WashJeff on February 16, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Just about any system could be abused, the way to avoid this abuse is to make whatever plan that is implemented – whether it’s a Flat Tax or the Fair Tax – simple and transparent to make any such abuse readily apparent to all.
Juno77 on February 16, 2010 at 6:33 PM
In a nutshell:
Scrap the IRS and the entire current tax code and replace with a progressive consumption tax.
No fuss, no muss, no chance for evasion with highly-paid lawyers. Want to reduce your taxes? Buy less stuff.
Dark-Star on February 16, 2010 at 6:33 PM
I believe Kate at SDA dubbed it the “red neck teleprompter”.
BL@KBIRD on February 16, 2010 at 6:40 PM
It would only work as long as the 16th amendment that allow taxaxtion on income was repealed. If not, we would eventually end up with both.
Like Norway, which has a 23% VAT in addition to income taxes exceeding 50%.
I do like this ad, though.
Norwegian on February 16, 2010 at 6:41 PM
I don’t see anything inherently wrong with the opportunism of hat-tipping an event that’s been all over the news and commandeering it for one’s own purposes.
What I DO have a problem with is Tea Partiers who are trying to take this movement into third-party territory. The future of this Republic depends on wresting control away from the radical Socialists who have worked their way to entrenchment in government. Populating the GOP with constitutionalists is the best opportunity to overcome the behemoth of Leftist control. A third party will only establish Leftism to the point where our liberty will be lost forever.
IronDioPriest on February 16, 2010 at 6:42 PM
That’s awful! that video is a vapid cliche of astroturf marketing done at an exceptionally poor level. You gotta keep it real people!
hisfrogness on February 16, 2010 at 6:52 PM
I love how just the mention of the Fair Tax in this has been like a game of spoons and everyone is jumping out of their chair to grab one. Can you even imagine what would happen to our economy if everyone kept their whole paycheck, corporate/business taxes were eliminated, self employed people weren’t punished with double fica taxes, and the list goes on? All of a sudden, we the United States would overtake China in GDP and all that money that sits in overseas banks would come home to grow without fear of taxation and regulation. I’m no fan of SS/medicare, but all of a sudden those programs would be paid for and not bankrupt like they are already. The Fair Tax is such a no brainer, I don’t know why it hasn’t been done already
Vanquisher on February 16, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Here’s a clue: The IRS rules allow Congress to control your life. Congress is the only body that can change the tax law.
It will take a massive tea party effort to abolish the income tax.
Christian Conservative on February 16, 2010 at 7:08 PM
You misssed the most obvious- do they not have black people or other minorities in Tennessee?
highhopes on February 16, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Meant to add the possibility that they might but it’s just too hard to find white magic markers to do the hand thing.
highhopes on February 16, 2010 at 7:16 PM
From the Fair Tax faq:
In short they would dismantle the IRS and repeal the 16th amendment.
Colbyjack on February 16, 2010 at 7:22 PM
I liked it. A very nice idea.
Now let’s see them do it with a little higher budget, a few lights and maybe a camera that can focus.
Johnny 100 Pesos on February 16, 2010 at 7:22 PM
After he loses in November what will he do next to get his over sized ego stroked?
Jdripper on February 16, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Mr. Beck:
You will never guess what I heard on the Jon-David Wells program on my drive home today. J.D. played a clip from an interview you conducted in February 2009 with the Jersey Girls. It was very interesting. It was amazing to hear you say the same things that Debra Medina said to you last week! That’s right, you were saying what she said to you last week! It begs the question why have you now changed your tune? Further why have you taken to slandering Debra Medina because of what she said on your radio show? You espoused the exact same concerns she did?
Why Glenn? Why are you such a staunch supporter of Sarah Palin who is campaigning in Texas for the corrupt RINO Rick Perry? Why did you slander Ms. Medina after saying the same things she said on your show? I think you need to beg Ms. Medina to come back on your show, and you have a lot of explaining to do to her.
Paul Surratt
paulsur on February 16, 2010 at 7:39 PM
More like the purple finger during the Iraq elections.
That ad rocks!
petefrt on February 16, 2010 at 7:44 PM
This must be the Palin who has no effect on the national politic.
Mojave Mark on February 16, 2010 at 7:47 PM
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stop laughing throughout the whole thing.
crr6 on February 16, 2010 at 8:01 PM
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