A most unusual TV campaign ad is airing in Florida, by Democratic State Senator and Congressional candidate Annette Taddeo. Here is the ad (which can also be accessed at the previous link):
Taddeo’s ad, which attacks her Republican opponent María Salazar, the incumbent Representative in Florida’s 27th Congressional District in the Miami area, is unusual in a number of ways, and may be quite effective as a result:
First, Taddeo’s ad flips the script on Republicans by talking about “freedom” in the first few seconds, and repeating this “freedom” theme. Of course, it is Republicans who, for years, have been trying to own this term. More than nine years ago, we advocated taking “freedom” back from the Republicans. This summer, we were thrilled to see Democrats doing just that, and turning “freedom” into the Democratic 2022 midterm election theme. Now, Senator Taddeo has joined her Democratic colleagues in pushing the “freedom” theme.
Second, Taddeo warns of America becoming “a Socialist dictatorship.” Again, that is a charge we usually hear from the Republicans against the Democrats. Given that the 27th District is described as “heavily Cuban-American” and over 50 percent “foreign born,” it’s safe to say that the voters there know something about Socialist dictatorships, and don’t want to live under one.
Third, in almost the same breath, Taddeo calls her opponent a “MAGA Republican,” and says that Salazar “supports government control over women’s healthcare decisions, even in cases of rape or incest.” Taddeo’s “government control” attack further flips the script on Republicans, who always try to claim that it’s the Democrats who want Big Government. The “women’s healthcare decisions” language is also a smart and accurate way to talk about abortion. And the mention of “rape or incest” shows the Republican extreme position on abortion.
Fourth, Taddeo caps off the ad with the patriotic line “freedom is worth fighting for.”
This is about as many great things as a Democrat can pack into a 30-second campaign ad. Perhaps it will be successful, and a good model for other Democrats, in the upcoming midterm elections.
