8/05/2005 04:47:00 PM|||kim|||
In the late 1970's I remember being very impressed by an interview with Ron Nessen. He was talking about Ford's campaign loss, and the devestating role that SNL's depiction of him as an off-balance bumbler, ordering his stuffed dog Liberty around:
Gerald Ford: [Sits back down] Ron, you've got to be here when I call you. [To Liberty] Roll over, Liberty. Good boy. [To Nessen] Now, Ron, tell me about these rumors that I'm gonna fire you. What is that all about?
Ron Nessen: Well, I have heard those rumors, Sir.
Gerald Ford: Are they true?
At the time I thought that this would change elections for the rest of American history. In politics, satire would be a deadly weapon, a weapon that the left would wield more effectively. That was thirty years ago. And with a few noted exceptions, the Al Frankens and Jon Stewarts of the world, the use of comedy to create a political message has almost evaporated.
I was reminded of this when I read this Consortiumnews piece:
At one point, an exasperated “Bush” threatened the director to a fight: “What do you mean ‘cut’? Well, you can do it yourself, jackass. I’m going to fight you. Are we going to throw down right now?”
The Ferrell video was the creation of Los Angeles-based Balcony Films, which was doing work for America Coming Together (ACT). After watching the long-form version of Ferrell’s performance, I turned to the executive producer (and friend), Julie Bergman Sender, and told her that if the video were widely broadcast on American television, I couldn’t envision Bush winning.
As it turned out, that never happened. The media side of ACT played it safe, sticking to the mantra of increased voter turnout.
This time, ladies and gentlebloggers, let's nail the fundies, freepers, and neocons to the wall.|||112327559649673486|||Operation Stumblebum Save Template Changes.