Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) plans to air the first television advertisement of his presidential campaign this week, his campaign announced Sunday.
The 60-second ad, titled “Real Change,” is a classic biographical spot, introducing voters to his immigrant roots, his participation in the civil rights movement, his tenure as mayor of Burlington and his role as a family man.
“Husband, father, grandfather,” the ad’s narrator says as images of Sanders’ family fill the screen.
According to Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs, the campaign expects to spend more than $2 million airing the ad in Iowa and New Hampshire. NBC’s “Meet the Press,” which debuted the spot Sunday morning, reported that it will first appear on Tuesday. The Washington Post reported that the $2 million price tag covers a 10-day ad schedule.
“Thousands of Americans have come out to see Bernie speak and we’ve seen a great response to his message,” campaign manager Jeff Weaver said in a written statement. “This ad marks the next phase of this campaign. We’re bringing that message directly to the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
As Seven Days recently reported, the appearance of Sanders’ first television ad signals the beginning of what his advisers are calling the “persuasion phase” of his campaign. Having introduced himself to countless voters at mega-rallies throughout the country, he is now hoping to convert those who remain on the fence. In recent weeks, Sanders has simultaneously made sunny appearances on daytime talk shows while speaking more critically of chief rival Hillary Clinton’s policy record.
Sanders’ new ad does not explicitly mention the former secretary of state, but it does note his vote against the Iraq War, which Clinton supported, and his antagonism toward Wall Street, which has helped finance Clinton’s campaigns. It also refers to Sanders as “an honest leader” — perhaps a reference to Clinton, who is viewed as less than honest by some voters, according to public opinion polls — and highlights his outsider message.
“People are sick and tired of establishment politics and they want real change,” the Vermonter says in the ad.
Sanders’ ad debut comes three months after Clinton launched her own in August. The move represents a sizable financial commitment, given that campaigns generally remain on-air through Election Day once they’ve started advertising on television.
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Doe this “Persuasion Phase” include mentions of anything Bernie actually accomplished in DC? Being for or against something shouldn’t count. What specifically did Bernie get done that is representative of the change he’s advocating?
If Bernie becomes the next President, how will he enact ‘real change’ with a conservative Congress? How would this work?
Bernie was elected to represent the citizens of VT in the US Senate. Other than the obligatory requests that staffs take care of, what has Bernie done for VT? Any initiatives that have created jobs or had other positive impacts to the economy?
I’m not Bernie Bashing, just an independent ‘on the fence’ wanting some tangible evidence that Bernie will create ‘real change’. Thoughts anyone?
Bernie has been in Congress (House or Senate) since 1991. That’s 24 years. I’ve been waiting that entire time for someone to tell me what he’s actually accomplished there. What laws did he originate? And, no, shouting his anger against the “right wing reactionaries” in the well of an empty House or Senate at 1:00 a.m. doesn’t count as an accomplishment.
Here’s a good summary of some of his accomplishments. He’s really done a lot, and stuck to essentially the same ideals throughout his political life–much more than most other politicians can say.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/06/1428616/-Bernie-Sanders-What-the-Hell-Have-You-Done-for-Us-Lately
So I read the article tagged in Samantha’s post. Other than mentioning his mayoral post in BTV, nothing else is listed as something specific for VT-ers. Just like you shouldn’t count being for or against something, you also shouldn’t give credit for a U.S Senator voting yes or no. He is the ‘amendment King’ according to the post, but there is very little substance listed in the article, just as there seems to be very little in Bernie’s accomplishments in his 24 year DC career.
Looking for some ‘real change’ accomplishments that would swing my vote…
In response to MarkW: These are all pieces of legislation that Sanders wrote and has been seen into law. He’s made a huge impact in the fight for decency in our country.
~In 1992, Congress passes Sanders’ first signed piece of legislation to create the National Program of Cancer Registries. All 50 states now run registries to help cancer researchers gain important insights.
~Sanders passes an amendment in the House to stop the government from obtaining library and book-buying records on Americans.
~Sanders’ authored energy efficiency and conservation grant program passes into law. He later secures $3.2 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the grant program.
~Sanders works with Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley to pass an amendment to an economic recovery bill preventing Wall Street banks that take taxpayer bailouts from replacing laid-off U.S. workers with exploited and poorly-paid foreign workers.
~In 2010, President Barack Obama signs into law the Affordable Care Act with a major Sanders provision to expand federally qualified community health centers. Sanders secures $12.5 billion in funding for the program which now serves more than 25 million Americans. Another $1.5 billion from a Sanders provision went to the National Health Service Corps for scholarships and loan repayment for doctors and nurses who practice in underserved communities.
~Sanders works with Republican Congressman Ron Paul in the House to pass a measure as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill to audit the Federal Reserve, revealing how the independent agency gave $16 trillion in near zero-interest loans to big banks and businesses after the 2008 economic collapse.
~A bipartisan $16.5 billion veterans bill written by Sanders, Sen. John McCain and Rep. Jeff Miller is signed into law by President Barack Obama.
A cancer registry. And several amendments to other people’s bills. In 25 years in Congress. Wow.