Althouse: Rudolph the red-vested presidential candidate.

December 19, 2007

Rudolph the red-vested presidential candidate.

The vest is burning my retinas, but I laughed. And no it's-not-a-cross floating cross:

69 comments:

rhhardin said...: I have the feeling he's mocking soap opera women. It's not going to play well in the news.

With ordinary people, sure. But what's important here is the women.; 12/19/07, 12:49 PM
Invisible Man said...: I just caught this on another blog a few minutes ago, and it..... well.... is just damned creepy. I can't imagine a creepier Christmas commercial unless Eli Roth decided to do to Christmas what he did to Thanksgiving. "Secure borders" and "lower taxes for businesses" are on his Christmas list. If I don't know better, I would have thought that the writers strike had ended and SNL found a great Rudy look-a-like to parody him. Just plain awful.; 12/19/07, 1:02 PM
P_J said...: OMG! He said fruitcake! What's the subliminal message?; 12/19/07, 1:04 PM
MadisonMan said...: When a politician wishes me Happy Holidays, I just think "Yeah right, like he (or she) cares about anything but my vote." Hypocrite.

I hope this isn't a stampede to touching Holiday political ads. Gag me.; 12/19/07, 1:07 PM
Trooper York said...: Fred Thompson just issued a Happy Labor Day ad. He is just a little behind. Late start ya know. Tisk, tisk.; 12/19/07, 1:12 PM
jeff said...: odd. secure borders and lower taxes are on my list also. And since everything is focus group tested and nothing is accidental, I point out the cross just over his right shoulder consisting of the the lights on the tree. Sneaky.

Not sure what is at all creepy about it. He doesn't look all that comfortable in it, but creepy doesn't really come to mind.; 12/19/07, 1:15 PM
hdhouse said...: A vote for Rudy appears to be a vote for the restoration of Bedlam...the place that is.

By the way, Santa (some think its mis-spelled Satan - odd coincidence) ... anyway it is appropos that Santa Claus shows up with Mr. New York Rudy...the dutch having brought him here [The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick's Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas)].

Unfortunately Rudy is more tied to a deer with a red nose than a giver of good things.; 12/19/07, 1:31 PM
knox said...: Fred Thompson just issued a Happy Labor Day ad.

LOL!; 12/19/07, 2:00 PM
knox said...: hd I don't follow...; 12/19/07, 2:02 PM
Peter Hoh said...: When he gets going on about the fruitcake, I actually warm up to him for a couple of seconds. Otherwise, he comes across as being as real as his dime store Santa's beard.; 12/19/07, 2:06 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: At least he is having fun. When was the last time we saw a candidate for president having fun?

This campaign needs more ads like this. It is getting to serious and serious is boring.; 12/19/07, 2:11 PM
Peter Hoh said...: If Hillary puts out a Christmas greeting ad, wanna lay odds that there will be a nutcracker in the background?; 12/19/07, 2:12 PM
Danny said...: Did I hear him say "Happy Holidays"!?!?!

I'm switching to Huckabee.; 12/19/07, 2:14 PM
hdhouse said...: knox...

bedlam as in rudy is truly crazy.

st. nick, the use of the symbol and a little history that may tie him to NY, rudy's home town..

rudy: to rudolf the red nosed...

I'm oblique today. i got a ticket driving and its my first almost ever and i'm out of sorts.; 12/19/07, 2:25 PM
knox said...: oh, that sucks; 12/19/07, 2:43 PM
Joaquin said...: I liked it!
Although I'm sure it was staged, it came across as genuine and funny.

GOD SAVE THE AL; 12/19/07, 3:02 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: It was lighthearted, certainly. As should we all be this season.

And, so, I will not mention his warm and loving ties to an indicted former police chief name of Bernie Kerik whom he promoted to head our homeland security.

Nor will I mention his work for Arab governments allied with bin Laden. Nope. Or his refusal to divulge to voters more information on his international client list.

And we'll just let the story of New York City taxpayers pay for protection of his mistress - while he was married - just slide.

Happy Holidays!; 12/19/07, 3:12 PM
Jennifer said...: I liked it. I wish more of the candidates at least tried to be funny now and then. This isn't quite as good as the white hare ad, but I liked it.; 12/19/07, 3:13 PM
Roger J. said...: Alpha Liberal will soon be filling billy shaheens post in the Clinton Campaign in NH! You have the technique down pat--must be a liberal thing.; 12/19/07, 3:21 PM
The Counterfactualist said...: Obama's ad didn't have any snow in it.

-- Bill Clinton, on Charlie Rose; 12/19/07, 3:27 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Alpha:

Rudy said he will release his client list when the Clintons release the list of donors to the Clinton library.

Sound fair to you?; 12/19/07, 3:43 PM
Gullyborg said...: I like it much more than the Huckabee tripe. He manages to not only wish me a Merry Christmas (and a Happily Holidays for my non-Christian friends - he's so inclusive!), but he also remember that, in an election season, it's the ISSUES I want to hear about, not sappy holiday platitudes.

And yes, the fruitcake bit gave me a laugh. it's nice to see a candidate who can actually get a cynical coot like me to giggle. "Holiday Inn Express" jokes don't cut it.; 12/19/07, 3:45 PM
Roger J. said...: Rudy and Fred Thompson appear to me to be the only candidates that can really communicate without launching a sound bite. They both pass "the have a beer with" test IMO. Rudy's style will play well with the public as this interminable campaign wears on and the public reaches sound bite saturation.; 12/19/07, 3:55 PM
pauldar said...: I was hoping for a @#%@#% pony and all I get is World Peace and a fruit cake?

Damn. So I am getting Ron Paul for Christmas? Who knew; 12/19/07, 4:04 PM
hdhouse said...: knoxwhirled...

you are telling me. seems my insurance payment didn't get posted or something so there is also that issue...shooting myself for automatic bill payer as we speak...graphic designer? wooohooo...need one of those freelance.

aside from that, since rudy is sinking like a rock in the swimming pool and fred (aka herman dumpster is just figuring out its x-mas) how is your day?
.; 12/19/07, 4:37 PM
Revenant said...: I thought the fruitcake line was funny, just because it pokes fun at Christmas political ads.; 12/19/07, 4:43 PM
From Inwood said...: Pastor

You said

"OMG! He said fruitcake! What's the subliminal message?"

Sometimes a fruitcake is just a fruitcake, to paraphrase Freud.

I thought the ad was funny, even witty, but of course admiting that a mere ad could have an effect on me

"...then would be some stooping; and I choose
Never to stoop."; 12/19/07, 5:01 PM
Revenant said...: since rudy is sinking like a rock in the swimming pool

That's the press storyline, not the reality. Yes, he's going to lose Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. So what? Those three states have a whopping 76 delegates among them this year. Meanwhile, he's got a solid lock on the 326 delegates of New York, California, and New Jersey and is in the lead in states with hundreds more delegates among them.

The "Rudy's in trouble" storyline" will run through mid-January. Then the "Rudy's on the comeback trail" storyline will start up to account for the fact that he's picking up hundreds of delegates on Super Tuesday. He might not win it, but he's in better shape right now than any of his opponents. He won't be in real trouble unless Romney or Huckabee drops out of the race.; 12/19/07, 5:06 PM
Nichevo said...: Why would Romney or Huck dropping HURT Rudy? He gets those votes. No? G and Romney are peas in a pod - Huck's votes have come from both of them, it seems.

All you people expecting, I dunno, Fred's natural goodness to shine through and suck up all the oxygen, are deluded if you think it will just happen. He may light up a room but there are lots and lots of rooms in these United States.

PS I liked the ad. The fact that nobody minds his lisp and bald head are encouraging. I agree he has the quality of actually talking to you when he's speaking, instead of delivering a line. I think Fred will make him a good VP.

PPS What did he do to the women?

PPPS But I didn't get him anything!

PPPPS For any nutter seriously resenting his Happy Holidays on top of his Merry Christmas, please keep in mind that in NYC he got at least a couple million Jewish votes in his two elections.

Y'all need to realize that New York is a little different and that's not a bad thing.; 12/19/07, 5:20 PM
Patm said...: I liked it. A little goofy, but he knows how to deliver a line without sounding completely phoney. And he seems like he's having fun.; 12/19/07, 6:29 PM
reader_iam said...: I just saw the Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Huckabee and Guiliani holiday vids all together in one program segment, on Hardball.

If anyone else saw this, I'd be interested in a reaction.; 12/19/07, 6:53 PM
Trooper York said...: You that is Judi sitting next to him in the Santa costume. They like to play dress up.; 12/19/07, 7:12 PM
Trooper York said...: It is kind of ironic that Judi likes to dress up as Santa in their sordid holiday sex games. They first met during the holidays at a cigar bar when Judi was out celebrating with co-workers. So Santa has a special meaning for them. But poor Saint Nick is not so jolly and is the most sexually frustrated of all holiday symbols. Everyone knows that thanksgiving turkeys are sexually insatiable. And the Easter Bunny screws, well like a bunny. But poor Santa only gets to come once a year. And that’s down a chimney.; 12/19/07, 7:21 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Reader said:

"I just saw the Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Huckabee and Guiliani holiday vids all together in one program segment, on Hardball."

So did I - proves Matthews had at least two viewers tonight heh.

Nah just kidding - still at the office and did not turn my TV on -listening to some good old rock and roll on the radio.

I say thumbs up to the Rudy video and second the sentiment it is nice to see a candidate laugh and kid around. Hell campaigning sure ain't as serious as brain surgery right?; 12/19/07, 7:29 PM
Simon said...: Revenant said...
"[Since rudy is sinking like a rock in the swimming pool?] That's the press storyline, not the reality. Yes, he's going to lose Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. So what? Those three states have a whopping 76 delegates among them this year. Meanwhile, he's got a solid lock on the 326 delegates of New York, California, and New Jersey and is in the lead in states with hundreds more delegates among them."

And it should be noted, this has been his declared strategy for months.; 12/19/07, 7:44 PM
rcocean said...: Rudy comes off as very New York in this commercial. Compare it to Huckabee's & you can see why Rudy is losing in the South and Iowa.; 12/19/07, 7:59 PM
titusballs said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 12/19/07, 8:19 PM
titusballs said...: Rudy is very New York rocean which means he is a diva. Granted it doesn't play well in the south but the south is horrible.

We in the fabulous states laugh at the south and your tourists when they come to our fabulous cities to be on the tour of the Sex and The City Landmarks.; 12/19/07, 8:23 PM
Simon said...: titusballs said...
"We in the fabulous states laugh at the south and your tourists when they come to our fabulous cities to be on the tour of the Sex and The City Landmarks.

All due respect there, Titus, but speaking for myself, I'd rather spend a week visiting the South than a day visiting New York City.; 12/19/07, 8:56 PM
titusballs said...: New York isn't for everyone Simon and I can understand some not wanting to visit here.; 12/19/07, 9:10 PM
titusballs said...: Fellow republicans and lovers of the Bush Doctrine and haters of liberals I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to all.

I will be leaving tomorrow and will miss all of you more than any of you will ever really know.

You are patriotic, strong, masculine, and tough on terror-a winning combination in my book.

I won't be returning to civilization (NYC) until December 26. Maybe if I am lucky I will get some midwest farmer's daughters hog while I am home-all corn fed and white.; 12/19/07, 9:15 PM
Mutaman said...: Mitt makes her weep and Rudy makes her laugh. Wow, what a decision.; 12/19/07, 9:15 PM
titusballs said...: Where did Maxine go?; 12/19/07, 9:20 PM
Anonymous said...: hdhouse-

1)partisan smear
2)pedantry posing as intelligence
3)non-sequitur conclusion

'hd' is in the house!; 12/19/07, 9:24 PM
titusballs said...: But she is very independent Mituman. She just happens to love most thing republicans do and disdains democrats. Thats why us conservatives love her.; 12/19/07, 9:30 PM
rcocean said...: Happy Holidays to you Titus.; 12/19/07, 9:38 PM
titusballs said...: rocean I went into your profile do you work in HR?

I do too, hugs!; 12/19/07, 9:42 PM
Simon said...: titusballs said...
"I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to all."

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Titus. Safe travels.

"rocean I went into your profile do you work in HR? I do too, hugs!"

Telling us what you do sacrifices Barnitude points.; 12/19/07, 9:47 PM
titusballs said...: Yea it is Christmas!

It has been fun posting here the past year fellow republicans.

Please everyone be safe, honor the birth of christ and remember what is important this time of the year-spending time with family.; 12/19/07, 9:58 PM
titusballs said...: Also I will be guest blogging for Althouse during the holiday season.

It was decided that I would be a good sub for Althouse during this time of the year.

Get ready. It is going to be wild. And I am grateful for this opportunity to turn this blog on its side.; 12/19/07, 10:01 PM
Simon said...: titusballs said...
"Also I will be guest blogging for Althouse during the holiday season."

If Titus is guest-glogging for Ann, does that mean he has to be subject to a guest crush from me and legions of guest-cyberstalkers from the lunatic ADS fringe? ;); 12/19/07, 10:10 PM
titusballs said...: bitch, you deleted one of my posts.

What gives?

Give me big hug with heavy groping but in a nonsexual way.; 12/19/07, 10:19 PM
titusballs said...: I think my posts have been deleted by "blog administrator" more than any.

Why is that? I am just being me and honest. I am offended.

Fellow republicans I have an admission I (like most New Yorkers) love Frank Rich.; 12/19/07, 10:21 PM
titusballs said...: I have another admission fellow republicans I grab my assitants tits daily to see what is going on there. Before I do it I actually say to her what is going on there and then begin to grope.

She, for some reason, doesn't find it sexual assualt. Why is that? I guess maybe because it is not really sexual and not threatening.; 12/19/07, 10:24 PM
titusballs said...: beyotch-why did you delete one of my comments?

Was it the word "felch" or "anal"?

Seriously I want to know.

This is an outrage. As a republican and compassionate conservative who is tough on terror I demand to know.; 12/19/07, 10:38 PM
Ann Althouse said...: If you're so smart figure it out. Why did I let you get away with everything else and not that? Use logic.; 12/19/07, 11:21 PM
titusballs said...: I have now been banned fellow republicans.

I join the ranks of the many others on this website and will not be returning.

Yes, I will miss you and I, as well as the rest of you, hope a republican wins.

Good luck. Stay patriotci.; 12/19/07, 11:26 PM
reader_iam said...: Oh, Titus. For cryin' out loud. Cut the drama. Why ban yourself over a deletion? Especially at place where leeway is a feature, not a bug, more often than not? I expect to see you in the New Year. Don't let me down, damn it. I shall be forced to send psychic rays at your rare Clumbers, else, and don't think I'm incapable of desperate measures, just 'cause I don't routinely employ them, and in fact eschew the impulse.; 12/19/07, 11:46 PM
reader_iam said...: That should be: "mostly eschew." Clearly, my eschewing is not global. Among other things.; 12/19/07, 11:50 PM
reader_iam said...: That are not eschewed. Or global.

Or something like that.

; ); 12/19/07, 11:54 PM
Cyrus Pinkerton said...: The ad is lame.; 12/20/07, 6:06 AM
Revenant said...: Stay patriotci.

Patriotci is delicious with sausage and marinara sauce.; 12/20/07, 6:53 AM
bill said...: Titus, to quote from the great band Cake: "Excess ain't rebellion."; 12/20/07, 7:43 AM
Roger J. said...: I thought patriotci was some kind of Slavic liquor.; 12/20/07, 8:26 AM
Trooper York said...: Isn't patriotci that stinky oil hippie chicks put on when they don't wash their cootch.; 12/20/07, 12:39 PM
Revenant said...: I thought patriotci was some kind of Slavic liquor.

You're thinking of patrioski. The two are commonly confused. :); 12/20/07, 1:15 PM
Agnostic Monk said...: First Governor Huckabee, then Hillary, and now Giuliani. Why are they all wearing red??? Why not green?; 12/20/07, 6:51 PM
Agnostic Monk said...: Ms. Althouse,
How come the new comments show up at the bottom of the page and not the top.; 12/20/07, 6:51 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Good question, but you'll have to ask Blogger. I didn't program it.

I have sometimes thought that when I live-blog something I should put the newest paragraph at the top.

Or maybe I should write all the posts backwards.; 12/20/07, 7:45 PM