While I still have a few critiques on this ad, it is still a vast improvement over her last ad.

I really like the overall idea of this ad because it tells a story.  Facts are easier for most people to remember if they are given in story form.  In less than thirty seconds the ad established a conflict with both good guys and bad guys and a favorable resolution thanks to the heroine of our story, Debbie Stabenow.

Stabenow's last two ads had her trying to appear strong by having the good Senator say that she was "fighting" for Michigan.  An added benefit of the story format of this Ad has her not saying that she's strong, but showing her fighting for Michigan.  This is much more effective at making her strong rather than saying it.

This ad also states that she "passed a Bill to cut taxes for companies that create jobs in Michigan".  Last ad I berated her for using the Republican frame, "cutting taxes to create jobs".  This time by rephrasing it the way it does she has successfully reframed the issue.  Where as Republicans claim that any tax cuts are good, she claims only cutting taxes for companies who create Michigan jobs are good.  Not only is this good policy, but good politics.

I also like the Bush attack in this Ad.  Not only because it attacks President Bush, but the way it attacks him.  When Peter Perez says, "The Bush administration did nothing to help" it helped to reinforce 1 of 2 narratives on Bush and, by extension, all Republicans.  Bush is either incompetent so therefore is unable to help this American Business, or doesn't care so therefore is unwilling to do anything.

Also, this ad seems to have taken my advice from the last Ad Watch to have someone else sing Stabenow's Praise, instead of her trying to promote herself.

I don't like the way the ad ended with Peter saying that he's neither a Republican or Democrat.  Again, Stabenow is acting like she can trick people into voting for a Democrat by not acknowledging  that she is one.  Instead of Peter saying, "I'm not a Democrat.  I'm not a Republican.  I'm a manufacturer and I support Debbie Stabenow because she supports Michigan manufacturing", he should say something that helps Senator Stabenow and brand `D'.  For instance, I'd have Peter Perez say, "Before, I wasn't a Democrat or Republican, but now, after witnessing Democrats like Stabenow stand up for Michigan businesses, this November, I'll be voting for Senator Debbie Stabenow and Democrats like her."

While I don't know for sure, this ad appears to be made by the same media consultants that made her last 2.  They have the same look and feel.  My last inquiry to Stabenow's campaign went unanswered so I still don't know who's making her ads.