9 Classic Election Ads – "Do You Approve These Messages?"

New-York Historical Society

1 Jun 202014:33

Summary

TLDRThis video script is a compilation of historical American political campaign messages, highlighting key issues and slogans from various eras. It spans from Eisenhower's call for unity to Johnson's emphasis on social progress and crime control, Reagan's optimism in 'morning in America,' Bush's personal narrative and public service commitment, to Dukakis's controversial policies and Kerry's political inconsistency. The script also includes a powerful speech invoking the American dream and the potential for national unity and progress.

Takeaways

🗳️ The script contains political campaign messages urging citizens to vote for Eisenhower, President Johnson, and other candidates.
🌎 It emphasizes the importance of unity and love among people to avoid societal collapse.
📈 There is a concern about the rapid growth of crime in the country, with a prediction that crimes of violence could double by 1972 if not addressed.
🛡️ The script pledges to fight against crime and to rebuild respect for the law in the country.
🏢 It highlights economic prosperity with more people going to work, lower interest rates, and increased home purchases.
🌅 The phrase 'morning again in America' symbolizes a new era of hope and progress under certain presidential leadership.
🆚 The script contrasts the policies and actions of Governor Michael Dukakis with those of the opposing candidate, criticizing Dukakis for his lenient approach to crime.
👶 It shares a personal story of a candidate born in a small town with humble beginnings, who was inspired to serve the public after meeting President Kennedy.
🎓 The candidate's commitment to education and healthcare, as well as job creation, is mentioned as part of their track record.
🏆 George W. Bush's aspiration to help change people's lives for the better and bring hope back to the American dream is expressed.
🔍 The script criticizes John Kerry's inconsistent voting record on issues such as the Iraq war, education reform, and Medicare premiums.
🌟 The power of a unifying voice is celebrated, with repeated affirmations of 'yes we can' to inspire hope and action for a better future.

Q & A

Who is the first person mentioned in the script that is associated with a political campaign?
-The first person mentioned is Dwight D. Eisenhower, associated with a political campaign encouraging Americans to vote for him.
What is the main message conveyed in the 'Vote for President Johnson' segment?
-The main message is the urgency of the situation, with the stakes being too high for citizens to stay home during the election, implying the importance of participation in shaping the country's future.
What is the concern raised about crime in the script?
-The script raises a concern about the rapid growth of crime in the country, stating that it has grown nine times faster than the population and predicting a doubling of violent crimes by 1972 if action is not taken.
What promise does the speaker make regarding the wave of crime?
-The speaker pledges that the wave of crime will not be the wave of the future in America, indicating a commitment to taking action against criminal forces and rebuilding respect for law.
What economic indicators are mentioned in the 'It's morning again in America' segment?
-The economic indicators mentioned include a record number of people going to work, interest rates at about half the record highs of 1980, and nearly 2000 families buying new homes, reflecting a positive economic outlook.
Who is criticized in the script for their policies related to crime and punishment?
-Governor Michael Dukakis is criticized for vetoing mandatory sentences for drug dealers, the death penalty, and having a 'revolving door' prison policy that allowed weekend furloughs for first-degree murderers.
What is the background of the person who says 'I was born in a little town called Hope, Arkansas'?
-The person is from a humble background, born in Hope, Arkansas, after his father's death. He lived with his grandparents who had limited incomes and was inspired by meeting President Kennedy to pursue public service.
What is the political stance of George W. Bush mentioned in the script?
-George W. Bush is portrayed as someone who worked hard in education and healthcare, created jobs, and made progress, with the intention to continue making a difference as president.
What is the inconsistency attributed to John Kerry in the script?
-John Kerry is criticized for inconsistency in his political stances, such as initially supporting the Iraq war and then opposing it, voting for education reform and then opposing it, and voting for and against measures related to supporting troops and Medicare premiums.
What is the recurring theme or phrase in the script that seems to inspire hope and unity?
-The recurring theme is 'Yes we can,' which is used to inspire hope, unity, and the belief in the possibility of overcoming challenges and achieving progress.
What historical reference is made in the script about a creed written into the founding documents?
-The script refers to a creed that declares the destiny of the nation, which is likely a reference to the founding principles and documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Presidential Election Appeal

The first paragraph is a call to action for American citizens to vote for Eisenhower, emphasizing the importance of unity and love in a time of high stakes. It mentions the rapid growth of crime in the country and the need for proactive measures to ensure peace and security. The speaker pledges to take the offensive against criminal forces and to rebuild respect for the law.

05:00

🌅 Morning in America: Economic Recovery

The second paragraph focuses on the economic recovery and optimism of the Reagan era. It highlights the increase in employment, the decline in interest rates, and the rise in home purchases. The paragraph contrasts the positive outlook with the previous state of the country, stressing the progress made and the risks of reverting to past policies. It also criticizes Michael Dukakis for his criminal justice policies and suggests that his approach would be detrimental to the nation.

10:03

🌱 Hope and Public Service

The third paragraph tells a personal story of the speaker's humble beginnings in Hope, Arkansas, and their inspiration to enter public service after meeting President Kennedy. The speaker emphasizes their commitment to education, healthcare, and job creation, expressing excitement about the potential to make a difference as president and to restore hope to the American dream.

🚫 Inconsistency in Political Stance

The fourth paragraph criticizes John Kerry for his inconsistent political positions, particularly regarding the Iraq war, education reform, and Medicare premiums. It suggests that Kerry's indecisiveness and changing stances make him an unreliable leader, implying that his direction would be detrimental to the country.

🌟 Yes We Can: A Call for Unity and Progress

The final paragraph is a powerful and emotive speech that invokes the spirit of 'Yes We Can,' a phrase historically used by slaves and abolitionists to express hope and determination. The speaker rallies for unity and the collective power to overcome challenges, promising a future of opportunity and prosperity. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the nation's founding ideals and a call to action for change.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Eisenhower

Eisenhower refers to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, who served from 1953 to 1961. In the context of the video, the mention of 'Eisenhower' is likely a call to support a candidate in a political campaign, possibly as a symbol of a strong and respected leader. The script suggests that voting for Eisenhower is a call for unity and support for the country's interests.

💡Stakes

The term 'stakes' refers to the high level of importance or the critical nature of an issue or situation. In the video script, 'stakes' is used to emphasize the gravity of the decision that voters face, suggesting that the outcome of the election will have significant consequences for the world and its people.

💡Crime

Crime is the act of committing an illegal act, often punishable by law. The script mentions the rapid growth of crime in the country, indicating a concern for public safety and the need for strong measures to combat criminal activity. The mention of 'crime' ties into the broader theme of societal issues that the political campaign aims to address.

💡Law and Order

Law and order is a political slogan often used to advocate for strong enforcement of laws and social order. In the script, the phrase is used to convey a commitment to fighting crime and restoring respect for the law, which is a key part of the political platform being promoted.

💡Inflation

Inflation refers to the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, purchasing power is falling. The script contrasts the current lower inflation rate with that of four years prior, indicating economic improvement and stability as part of the political narrative.

💡Mandatory Sentences

Mandatory sentences are legal sentences that are automatically imposed on a person convicted of a certain crime, without the judge's discretion. The script criticizes a political figure for vetoing mandatory sentences for drug dealers, suggesting a stance against leniency in criminal sentencing.

💡Death Penalty

The death penalty is a government-ordered killing as punishment for certain crimes. The script mentions a political figure's veto of the death penalty, which could be a point of contention in the political campaign, reflecting differing views on justice and punishment.

💡Furlough

A furlough is a temporary release from prison, often granted for work or other specific reasons. The script criticizes a 'revolving door prison policy' that allowed furloughs for serious criminals, implying a lack of strictness in the criminal justice system.

💡Public Service

Public service refers to work carried out for the benefit of the public, often in government roles. The script includes a personal narrative about a decision to enter public service, emphasizing a commitment to helping others and making a difference in society.

💡Education Reform

Education reform refers to changes made to the education system with the aim of improving its effectiveness and quality. The script mentions a political figure who initially supported education reform but later opposed it, indicating a shift in political stance and potential inconsistency.

💡Yes We Can

Yes We Can is a slogan that has been used in various political campaigns to express optimism and the belief in collective potential to achieve goals. In the script, it is used as a rallying cry, suggesting a message of hope and the possibility of overcoming challenges.

Highlights

Vote for Eisenhower to aid the country.

The stakes to make a world where all can live.

Vote for President Johnson on November 3rd, critical stakes.

Crime in the country has grown rapidly, threatening peace and security.

Pledge to take the offensive against criminal forces.

It's morning again in America, with economic growth and opportunities.

Under President Reagan's leadership, the country is stronger.

Governor Dukakis' policies criticized for being soft on crime.

George W. Bush's background and commitment to public service.

Bush's dedication to education, healthcare, and job creation.

John Kerry's inconsistent stance on the Iraq war.

Kerry's mixed record on education reform and Medicare premiums.

The power of a building's voice calling for change.

A call to believe in the possibility of 'Yes We Can'.

The importance of equal opportunity and prosperity for all.

A vision to repair the world and bring hope back to the American dream.