It’s the eve of one of the most controversial elections of all time. So we wanted to take a look back at our favorite political television spots throughout the years. Whether they lifted our spirits, made us laugh, drove us to anger, or scared the living daylights out of us, these ads have shaped America in one way or another. We hope you enjoy them, and encourage you to get to the polls and have your voice be heard in 2016. Without further ado, the best political ads of all time…
Chuck’s Pick: “Kennedy for Me” 1960
This ad was so clearly innovative and distinctive for its time. It demonstrates sophistication for the emerging medium of television with the use of “mod” graphics, a catchy jingle, multi-demographic imagery, and overall optimism, which must have been startling in 1960!
Michelle’s Pick: “Yes We Can” (Obama) 2008
Produced by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, this celebrity-filled online ad — while not created by the Obama campaign — is nothing short of perfection. Taking Obama’s inspiring words and turning them into song was not only groundbreaking, but beautiful. Instead of scaring people or berating opponents, the ad made us believe that a better life and a better country were within the realm of possibility. It is the perfect embodiment of Hope.
Vin’s Pick: “Confessions of a Republican” (LBJ) 1964
In today’s era of unabashed mud-slinging in political advertising, this well-written TV spot takes a more gentlemanly approach to highlighting the deficiencies of your political opponent. The angle of an “everyman” Republican who is concerned about voting for his own party’s candidate (Barry Goldwater) is both subtle and thought-provoking — and obviously effective as Johnson took an astonishing 61.05% of the Popular Vote en route to victory. (The parallels between what is being said in this ad and what is happening in the 2016 election are fairly undeniable, as well.)
Nick H’s Pick: “Roger Williams for Congress” 2012
I would never say that this is the most effective political ad out there but I have to say it is one of the most daring. I don’t agree at all with the premise of what he is saying, but anyone who has the audacity to use actual donkeys to represent welfare recipients and then to scold them on screen in a mass market television ad has guts. Not brains, but guts.
JP’s Pick: “Undecided Voters” (SNL) 2012
In my opinion, political satire is the greatest product of any presidential election. No matter how divisive or ugly a campaign may be, it’s reassuring to know that you can always find humor (and often sanity) in the satirical reflection of our country’s electoral process. The above Saturday Night Live parody is from 2012, but the depiction of undecided voters is even more relevant today as this year’s election will likely be decided by many who have yet to make up their mind.
Kelly’s Pick: “Daisy” (LBJ) 1964
Shown only one time on national television, “Daisy” is the first attack ad ever run during a political campaign. Lyndon B. Johnson used this spot to frame his opponent, Barry Goldwater, as a proponent of nuclear war. With the contrast of an innocent child and an exploding nuclear bomb, this ad is direct and impactful, painting a clear picture on where each candidate stood on one of the most important issues of the 1964 presidential election.
Lauren’s Pick: “Windsurfing” (Bush-Cheney) 2004
I always love a good attack ad, but this one from the 2004 election for George W. Bush criticizing John Kerry’s flip-flopping delivered the message in an entertaining way.
Patti’s Pick: “I Like Ike” (Eisenhower) 1952
One of the first political ads to grace TV screens, “I Like Ike” was created by Disney Studios. I like it mostly because I remember it from when I was a kid, and I loved the animation!
Nick D’s Pick: “Sideshow Bob” (Simpsons) 1994
A spoof of the famous “Revolving Door” political attack ad aimed at Michael Dukakis in 1988, this comes from the Simpsons episode “Sideshow Bob Roberts,” where perennial villain Sideshow Bob gets released from prison and runs for mayor of Springfield. I love this because of how simple and funny it is, but also how it perfectly highlights the constant hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness in typical mud-slinging election ads. By pointing out the flaws of his opponent, Sideshow Bob is really just incriminating himself.
Greg’s Pick: “Please Re-elect Gerald” (Gerald Daugherty) 2016
It’s not often that you see a political ad using humor like this one for Austin, TX Country Commissioner, Gerald Daugherty. Not present were the typical, cheesy, cliché political lines you normally hear in a candidate’s ad… “I’ll lower taxes”, “I’ll fight for you.” This was a fresh take on who this politician is, and he even brought his wife into the fold.
Rachael’s Pick: “Squeal” (Jodie Ernst) 2014
While anyone would agree that this ad’s opening line is pretty ridiculous, it’s what won Ernst the election as a relative nobody up against a big name. The video received over 400,000 views in its first three days on YouTube and got its star’s name plastered everywhere for a truly impressive awareness play. Not to mention that I would have loved to be in the room when the cast of SNL saw this ad — it’s like it was written for them.
Kevin’s Pick: “Big John” (John Cornyn) 2008
This is so bad it’s awesome. While most political ads seem to focus solely on insulting the opposition, this one does a hilariously good job at making “Big Bad John” look like the butt of his own joke. With lines like “You see I’m from Texas and we do things quick / And the way this place [the Senate] is run is about to make me sick,” he’s sure to have a promising career in music if the politician thing doesn’t work out.