Is the Big Lug too big to win? What Gov. Culver can learn from Chris Chrstie.

according to Jason Clayworth (4.00 / 2)

citing the governor's office, Culver is training for a triathlon in Florida this month. I assume this means he exercising regularly, with a view to getting in shape for next year. Anyway, he's not as big as Christie looks in this ad:

Branstad will do anything he needs to do to win. I will never forget his ad against Bonnie Campbell saying that as attorney general, she'd never prosecuted any sex offenders--not even child molesters. It was "true," because the attorney general doesn't prosecute sex offenders--county attorneys do. It was charged because there was a high-profile child abduction/murder not long before the 1994 election.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 17:31:11 PM CDT

Would it work here? (4.00 / 1)

Do you think Iowans would go for this kind of playground "the other guy's a fatty, fatty, boombaladdy" attacks? I mean, that might fly in New Jersey, but we're generally more, well, nice here in Iowa.

I agree, I think Branstad would do it too--if it would work, that is.

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by: American007 @ Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 10:29:47 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I too have been worried about such attacks... (0.00 / 1)

The Corzine/Chrstie battle has been interesting to watch. Looks like the Dem may pull it out although I'm NOT convinced it will be because of the "weight around" theme. It will be because of Democrats coming out of a slumber after a summer filled with Tea Bags and Angry Mob activism.

In Iowa political attack ads are usually more subtle or less harsh. I recall the 2003 caucus battle when Dean & Gephart slugged it out - opening the door for both Edwards and Kerry to defeat Dean & Gep. Obama & Hil kept it fairly tame. There is a notion out there that Iowa Voters WILL punish those who are  too harsh commercials.

The line will be very thin (no pun intended). It isn't hard for me to foresee a "cut the fat" in the budget or some other "belt tightening" joke/animation/culver look alike...etc., etc.

Its personally distasteful, but for some it works. If nothing else, it may be smart to release a "FAT AD" as a web video or in an fundraising e-mail and as a result just get TONS of free press and chatter about it (not to mention $$). That usually works best for direct personal attacks as opposed to wonk-ish complaint Ads.

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by: MrScarletW @ Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 19:42:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I lived in the UK (4.00 / 2)

during their 1992 parliamentary campaign, and I remember a fellow American commenting that Britain was the land of homely politicians. It wasn't just looks, it was haircuts, eyeglasses, the way they dressed--the average member of the British Parliament doesn't look as smooth as the average member of Congress. I think Americans in general are focused on appearance more than voters in some other countries.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 17:34:01 PM CDT

"I think Americans in general are focused on appearance more than voters in some other countries." (4.00 / 1)

I tend to agree, DMD.  Interesting post.

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by: Peggy @ Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 11:17:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's correct (0.00 / 0)

Ronald Reagan is an example of how American voters focus on appearence.  Reagan made a good image of a president.  His actual record was a failure.

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by: keith nichols @ Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 15:05:16 PM CDT

two more thoughts (4.00 / 1)

First, Christie could still win the NJ governor's race. I wouldn't bet on that, but it wouldn't be too surprising.

Second, if Culver does drop a lot of weight in the next 6-9 months, that could even be a political plus. Americans love a famous person who's lost a lot of weight. Huckabee certainly benefited from doing so (and he was much heavier to begin with than Culver--I think he lost 100 pounds or so).

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by: desmoinesdem @ Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 19:35:22 PM CDT

Christie win (4.00 / 1)

Yes, could happen. NJ and MD are very much alike. Polling is unreliable. Reason: it can depend on last minute deals to turn on machines.

Many Steele-Cardin polls showed a tight race, but Cardin won by 10pts or so.

Here is a pure hypothetical. Say that Dem pol X in some region of NJ decides that his political fortunes improve by taking on a Christie admin in four years. No need to hustle for Corzine.

However, Corzine has been spreading the $$ all over the place, so I'd give him the edge.

The race is close enough that it's a deal-making dream.

Raise your hand if you really believe that these things get decided by "Vote for me, hon, for your free mammogram" sales pitches.

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by: ragbrai08 @ Sat Oct 24, 2009 at 11:30:45 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I read an article (4.00 / 1)

(son't remember where) that said ppl in the midwest are more tolerant of obesity than east coasters.

What I think Culver needs to do is make sure his gut doesn't swing in one direction while he's moving in the other. He wears a little heft well, so "big lug" is ok, but a gut with a mind of its own, not so much.

I haven't seen his backside, but for men, "bubble butt" is devastating. Also, "mom jeans." He needs to tighten up a bit, look a little more linebacker-ish, and he'll be ok.

Read a blurb somewhere where he says he likes biking as long as it's flat terrain. I'd be happy to "give back," Iowa-style. If he's at the bottom of a long hill, I'll stand up top with a cowbell, clanging away while yelling: you can doooooooooooo it!

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by: ragbrai08 @ Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 12:06:00 PM CDT

martin o'malley (4.00 / 1)

MD-Gov pretty much ran his '06 race as a chick magnet, I'm sorry to say.

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by: ragbrai08 @ Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 12:29:24 PM CDT

let's not forget (0.00 / 0)

A slimmer Culver ranked number 4 on Playboy Radio's list of the most "doable" governors and ex-governors. O'Malley ranked number 5.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 20:41:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm as open-minded as the next person, (4.00 / 1)

but Janet Napolitano at #14? Arnold at #1? This list isn't floating my boat. I'd even take Culver the Bigger over some of these options!

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by: ragbrai08 @ Sat Oct 24, 2009 at 11:38:16 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yeah, that list is a bit...odd... (4.00 / 1)

Still, though, Culver's got an inner hunk for sure. But he's going to have to work out to find it. Just comparing some of his old campaign ads to pictures of him now show he's let himself go a bit (not that I have any room to talk)...

I know it's  hard to turn back the clock, but if he could get back to his Secretary of State physique, he'd be back on the studliest governor's list for sure!

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by: American007 @ Sat Oct 24, 2009 at 11:59:47 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

nice pic (4.00 / 2)

although perhaps you photoshopped to make him look good, hmm?

not that I have any room to talk

the dark side of Pancake Day ...

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by: ragbrai08 @ Sat Oct 24, 2009 at 23:35:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

if memory serves (4.00 / 1)

a bunch of call girls ranked the photos for Playboy. In most cases they didn't know who the politicians were, but of course everyone would recognize Arnold.  

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by: desmoinesdem @ Sun Oct 25, 2009 at 00:57:02 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

oh boy... (4.00 / 2)

I think Gov. Culver should be taking notes...

Chris Christie (R) said today,

"If you're going to do it, at least man up and say I'm fat,"

There was some talk today that this has started to turn the tide for Christie, I don't buy it. I just thought it was interesting and thought I'd share the latest on NJ's "Fat-Gate." HA!

http://politicalticker.blogs.c...

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by: MrScarletW @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 20:15:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I saw part of Culver's press conference on Wednesday (4.00 / 1)

He is not as overweight as Christie!

My main concern about the NJ election is that the independent candidate, Daggett, is going to be buried down-ballot, while Corzine and Christie are at the top. I fear that a lot of Daggett leaners will land with Christie when they have the ballot in front of them.

In the good news column, Corzine supposedly leads among those who have already voted.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:01:55 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

November 3 update (0.00 / 0)

Christie won after all, but it was closer than it should have been given Corzine's miserable approval numbers and the state of the economy.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 22:47:50 PM CST

Update (0.00 / 0)

okay, so i hate coming back to this thread, i really do. But did anyone see the Iowa Republican this afternoon! They have photos of Gov. Culver's Triathlon.

Normally, I'd say, yay for getting in shape. thats great. However, photos have emerged of Chet shirtless. eeeeeek. I'd say however, given the recent poll numbers, shirtless photos are the LEAST of his worries...

http://theiowarepublican.com/h...  

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by: MrScarletW @ Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 18:43:25 PM CST

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I saw that (0.00 / 0)

but good for him to finish a triathlon. I've never even run a 10K. Presumably he will be in better shape in time for the Hy-Vee Triathlon next summer!

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by: desmoinesdem @ Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 21:14:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]