reason.tv

return to main page about reason.tv @ Youtube reason.com reason foundation Media Feeds

rough cut video blog

The Green Police

The Green Police

Posted on 2/8 by Ryan Seals

The HIV Superhighway

The HIV Superhighway

Posted on 2/3

editors' picks

video archives

talk show archives

media feeds

donate

topics

subscribe

drew carey videos

Rough Cut

Huck 'n' Chuck

This an actual, no-foolin' ad for Mike Huckabee: Not a YouTube gag, not for cable. The Huckabee campaign has purchased $60,000 of Iowa airtime to bring the gospel of Chuck Norris to potential caucus-goers. Says Huckabee:
Reaching new voters and reminding folks that politics doesn't have to be a bloodsport were some of our goals for this first ad. Running for President is serious business, but I am not afraid to have some fun while I am doing it.
I know Huckabee has a great sense of humor and some savvy for pop culture, but he's still a conservative ex-pastor whose wife led a campaign against internet predators. And he's appealing to Iowans with an... internet meme that started in 2005. It's not goatse or LOLcats or anything super-obscure, since Norris himself has gone on TV and joked about the facts, but it's really something to hear a presidential candidate say "There's no chin behind Chuck Norris's beard. Only another fist"—and assume that everyone will get it. And if it wasn't for that meme, Norris might be too much of a has-been to be worth playing up in an ad. If Huckabee ran in 2004, would he be appearing with the guy from the Total Gym ads?

Jonathan Martin gets a worthy response from the Fred Thompson team:
With his new campaign ad featuring Chuck Norris, Mike Huckabee has confused celebrity endorsement with serious policy.
You heard it from Fred: Celebrities and serious policy don't mix!

Comments on Huck 'n' Chuck:

Add a comment ↓

Anders M.L. | November 19, 2007, 10:58am | #

Very clever. Making use of Norris' face should give him a lot more than $60 000 worth of MSM publicity (even if the hosts presenting the ad don't get the "facts", there's a fun ad with a celebrity endorsement).

However, wonder how much of the viral effect would have been reduced if they had tried to capitalise on Norris' previous political record. He's a bit of a has-been, but he's still active in some circles. Norris does after all have his own (very religiously conservative) column, and actually attacked Pat Robertson for the reverend's unprincipled liberalism:

"When major Christian leaders sacrifice children in the womb on the altar of politics, I think it's clear to say many conservatives are at risk of losing their hearts and distinction. If I can play slightly with Jesus' words, "What does it profit a man to win the election, but lose his soul?"
[---]
Vote Huckabee in '08!"


Yes, those are the words of the man who can - according to folklore - slam a revolving door. Viral pop-culture indeed.

The video - as well as the shorter version aired on ox - is just about right, though. At least in my demographic.

Randolph Carter | November 19, 2007, 12:51pm | #

Mein Gott! The Memes have escaped!

Baylen | November 19, 2007, 1:30pm | #

Chuck Norris's stroke-y new speech impediment (sounds like Kirk Douglas Jr., or like he just came from a bad trip to the dentist) makes him and this joke of a campaign ad significantly less impactful.

Ed hardy | November 24, 2009, 8:20pm | #

With christian louboutin super -insincere wow power leveling grey suede ankle boots.The outlay is a certain christian louboutin discount for every event.you can World of Warcraft Gold it is very reduced. Sport a brace of christian louboutin sale and be the most

Links of London jewelry | January 15, 2010, 12:18am | #

Links of London It is easy for people to pay Discount Links of London attention to new and Links of London jewellery salefashionable Links of London jewelry it is also easy for peo

replica handbags | February 1, 2010, 1:33am | #

gemahrv0201
Replica Louis Vuitton
Replica Watches

Comment on this entry:



send us your videos!

we're looking for a few good directors

click here

new at reason.com

Myth Alaska

Sarah Palin bounces a reality check.
Nick Gillespie (2/9)

How Many More Are Innocent?

America's 250th DNA exoneration raises questions about how often we send the wrong person to prison.
Radley Balko (2/8)

Back to the Drawing Board

Democratic fantasies face the bracing slap of reality.
Matt Welch (2/8)

new at reason foundation