I think it is a Good Ad but I didn't notice a mention of the Democratic Party...

Pretty obvious she's no Republican, Abraham.

Has this been on television?  How long?  Any way to show it improved her numbers, or is this the first poll?

Very impressive and the fundraiser bit was priceless.  

Wow, after laying back for four years on this whole "defending the country" thing, the Dems are starting to get the message.

America's Least Wanted

If you have any questions for the campaign, fire away.

I'm new at this, so please educate me if I need it, but it really turns me off that Madrid isn't projecting any positive image of herself. I much preferred the ad from Brian Schatz. He was doing the talking and he came across to me as a kind, likable person even though he was skewering Bush.

I really, really, really don't like the "danger" setting (man talks in a tone meant to make people fearful). FWIW.

I like the emphasis on accountability. When it comes to the cost of the Iraq war, every TV ad should have $250 million/day prominently displayed in text. The visual matters, not just mentioning it in passing.

Grade for this add: B+

This is a very good ad, and draws a clear contrast.  However, it is my impression that Madrid has been on the air before. She has also been running since October of last year, and  she holds state-wide office as the Attorney General of New Mexico, and is presumably at least somewhat known to voters.  So it is hard to compare this to an "intro" ad like Darcy Burner's, because they serve different functions.  First a candidate needs to introduce him/herself to the voters in a more "warm and fuzzy" ad, then do contrast ads.  A candidate can't start with this kind of contrast ad, particularly a candidate who is coming from private life and got into the race later in the game.

The critiquing of ads is a worthwhile endeavor, but let's compare apples and apples, and appreciate that there are different styles of ads for different purposes and different candidates.

I think the ad is excellent.  Great focus on Iraq and Wilson being on the intelligence comm (but never questioning Bush).  The ties to Bush (esp. with the fundraising) are great.  Two thumbs up.  

Really well done. I actually like the lack of "Democrat" in big letters. It might get in the way, because (to underscore David in NY's point) the clear distinction in the way Wilson handles big oil vs. Madrid's message is one of the clear differences between the parties.

Post-Tivo, spots on televison are a whole new animal. People see them at 2x or 3x speed, if they see them at all. You're lucky if you can communicate one point, especially when your spot is in the middle of a 6-spot cluster that goes by like a gale-force wind. This spot communicates on oil prices/coddling big oil, which is a complex message without bring up party affiliation.

If I had any criticism, it would be that Patricia Madrid or Madrid For Congress should be up in text somplace on the screen for the whole spot, so that you'll at least get that message out to people who fastforward through it.

Good luck, Ms. Madrid. We need you.

Also good news today, Madrid and Wilson are in a dead heat despite weeks of very negative ads by Wilson:

My post at Democracy for New Mexico

So many of us are very pumped that Madrid is taking on Wilson on the Iraq War. This ad is an excellent tool and I'm sure there will be others hitting away on this.

I'm going to talk to my people but i think a donation is in order.  I think they'll like this bit:

"We began a massive canvassing effort last spring."

I'd bet the check is in the mail.

And, if we don't meet again due to local races requiring time and effort...THANK YOU!

Come on, in an attack ad like that you get to choose any image of your opponent. Go for unflattering. The first clip of Wilson is nice and weak but that big smiling picture is the most dominant and memorable scene in the entire ad. Plus it's hard to make Bush look normal but this ad succeeds.

Here's an example from a Dina Titus ad in the Nevada gov primary. She savaged Jim Gibson and part of it was making him look like a buffoon. Notice the jolly expression and pose at the end, the last thing you remember: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2HJkUM8 Sg&mode=related&search=

Windows Media!? (and only Windows Media)

You've got to be kidding me.

I live in New Mexico and have seen both Madrid's and Wilson's ads, often side by side during the nightly news.

While Madrid's ads are hard hitting and score great points, I think they also make the mistake of drafting Wilson's dark and threatening style of ad, which she has used to some effect over her political life here. I have not met her, but Wilson strikes me as a very humorless, drab person. Humor is definitely not her strong point, which is odd considering how full of life the district she represents is.

I have met Madrid and she has a lot more spark to her, but she seems a bit stilted in the ads so far. Not bad, mind, but just not immediately appealing.

I think it's time for Madrid to create her own style, which should include movement, light, color and - especially - humor. Both Madrid and Wilson employ initially effective slow-mo shots of their opponent looking truly awful. But does Madrid really need to over-use this technique as much as Heather does?

Go look at how Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) got her message across two years ago with humor and character-revealing ads. Even an attack ad can have laughs and charm without making the candidate look snide and aloof.

Neither NM-1 candidate is visually a Herseth, of course, but I think Madrid could make her points and draw a sharper contrast with Horrible Heather by adopting a lighter, more fluid style. I have a feeling that people are muting their TVs for both sets of ads because they are just more of the same gloom 'n' doom. Remember, this is - above all - advertising, and gloom and doom do not sell soap!!!

If Madrid runs against Wilson solely on Wilson's home turf of bleak, over-the-top earnestness, she will do herself a disservice and possibly blow the race. There's a place for the kind of attack ads Madrid is running now but to pull away from Wilson I think you have to write your own playbook not merely follow hers.

Just a thought from someone who's watched in dismay as Heather has won time and again. At least there's no Green Party spoiler this time around (Heather's favorite trick of the past)!!!!!!!