Our community is not big enough to have it's own television station, so the cable system borrows network signals from Jacksonville and Savannah. Other than slightly different weather reports, we hadn't noticed much difference in the stations.
Until now.
The ads on the Georgia stations still feature the usual rotation of screaming used car salesmen, but Florida now gives a steady diet of something lower, Bush/Kerry attack ads.
To watch Florida television is to think the election is next Tueday.
It's going to be a long season.
The April 12 issue of "US News and World Report" points out notorious Florida (and Pennsylvania) have already earned more than $2 million in television campaign spending, Michigan and Ohio and been bombarded with $1-$2 million and 12 other swing states have taken in under $1 million. For the rest, it's the relief of continuing used car salesmen... for now.
Bush's fund machine plans to dump $200 million into advertising BEFORE the convention.
This will be the longest U.S. presidential election on record. Who, besides television ad salespeople, believes the electorate is moved by quantity and/or quality of television messages?
What about all the reports of the erosion of television viewership and the disappearance of young males from network viewing. Will there be paid campaign space on Janet Jackson's nipple guard?
With this kind of money to throw around the possibilities are limitless. Right now, I have a Buffalo Bills tirecover on the back of my CR-V, but as of this moment, that space is available to the highest bidder. For the right price, I'll even drive it in Florida.
I'm an excellent driver and always signal my intent. Which is more than can be said about at least one of the candidates.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs