'Women's Issues' Dominate In 2016 Presidential-Campaign Ads

Equal pay, abortion, and other issues concerning sex and gender are all over TV this election.

screenshot from Hillary Clinton ad

Well over half of Hillary Clinton's campaign commercials for the 2016 presidential race—61 percent—reference issues such as gender equality, women's rights, or "equal pay." But it's not just Clinton who's making sex- and gender-issues central to her TV advertising. According to Adweek, 29 percent of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders's television ads mention equal pay. And 17 percent of TV spots from Texas Republican Ted Cruz mention abortion. 

"I truly believe there has never been a presidential election where women's issues have been so prominent during almost every moment, on both sides of the aisle," Dan Jaffe, who heads the Association of National Advertisers' government relations department, told Adweek. 

Commercials run by Clinton, Sanders, and their GOP opponents are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, of course. With Super PACs and political interest groups also taking to the boob tube to peddle politics, we're seeing even more election ads focusing on abortion, birth control, and the gender pay gap. Between March 15 and April 15 alone, some 34 new presidential campaign ads (on all subjects) aired, with Super PACs sponsoring 44 percent of these ads.

And while Donald Trump's campaign hasn't run any ads targeting women or gender issues, anti-Trump ads have focused on the candidate's perceived misogyny. One, featuring real women reading real Trump quotes about women, has been viewed on YouTube more than three million times since it was released in March. 

According to the Ace Metrix, which measures the performance of political ads, commercials made by candidate Super PACs receive relatively low favorability ratings from viewers, compared to those made by the candidates' official campaigns. Sanders and Kasich ads score the highest with viewers, followed by Clinton campaign ads. Rounding up the bottom with the Super PAC ads were commercials produced by the Cruz and Trump campaigns. 

An analysis from Ad Age Datacenter and Kantar Media's Campaign Media Analysis Group found that as of April 1, 2016, the combined spending on TV and radio spots by Hillary Clinton's campaign and pro-Hillary PACs was around $62.7 million. Total spending on Sanders' ads was around $57.7 million, Cruz ads around $32.5 million, Kasich ads around $18.6 million, and Trump ads around $18 million. Anti-Trump ad spending totaled about $24.6 million.

Comments

[Hyperion]

If I'm not mistaken, running a campaign based only on 'war on wiminz' has not proven to be a great model for success. Maybe I'm wrong.

[R C Dean]

Technically, this is an anti-war on women campaign.

An actual war on women campaign would be interesting. Ideally, it should be fronted by a Muslim fundy - they're the ones who know how to do it right.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

The Burka is a "tool for social mobility".

[Loki]

Duh - it prevents womyn from being objectified and judged purely on their physical appearance. /an actual argument that I'm sure some retard somewhere has actually made

[BYODB]

You're right, and feminists have already pointed that out in both writings and to me personally in discussions. Non-ironically, I might add. If you hear this point from one of them, my only advice is laugh loudly and stridently as you walk away from them; you've already won.

[R C Dean]

"So, why aren't you wearing one?"

[Eternal Blue Sky]

"Appropriation"

[buybuydandavis]

The Donald was right - Hillary's entire campaign can be summed up in one slogan:

Vote Vagina 2016.

[Sevens]

"Voice." "Minority". "Consciousness raising."

[Heroic Mulatto]

"Congratulations!"

[Sevens]

Thank you, Father, Goodbye, Mother.

"Problematic." "Performance."

[Heroic Mulatto]

Why are you talking like the aliens from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri?

[R C Dean]

Oh, yay.

This election will be about "First World Problems", namely, how the least oppressed and victimized group of women in history deserve even more handouts. They need white men to hand them things on a silver platter because they are all strong and fierce and shit.

we're seeing even more election ads focusing on abortion

Universally available in the US, and subject to fewer restrictions than almost any other country. Oppression!

birth control

Universally available in the US, can be obtained for free or discounted from PP and others. Sexism!

and the gender pay gap.

I can hardly wait for the ad that Melissa Mayers' $25mm golden parachute is only 72% of what a man would have gotten! Because bigotry!

[Heroic Mulatto]

birth control

Universally available in the US, can be obtained for free or discounted from PP and others. Sexism!

Yet the fact that the Pill is not OTC is massively retarded.

[Atanarjuat]

Agreed. Although whether or not Hillary is acknowledging that point probably depends on the number of zeros on the AMA's contribution to her foundation.

[Ship of Theseus]

But that's because of authoritarianism, not because of BS women's issues. You'll never hear the progressive feminists bitch about the FDA. We need the control, don't you know...

[Heroic Mulatto]

But that's because of authoritarianism, not because of BS women's issues.

Yep.

[buybuydandavis]

It's because the medical mafia always has to get it's pound of flesh.

[Rhywun]

Yet the fact that the Pill is not OTC is massively retarded.

And it is also not even in the top 200 or so issues that actually deserve the candidates' attention.

[Sevens]

It's teenage boys in Minecraft.

[thrakkorzog]

It has nothing to do with PP lobbying to make sure that the pill still requires a prescription for their own benefit.

[CraigL]

The pill is not as harmless as tylenol. For certain conditions it can prove life-threatening. It is strong hormonal therapy. It is also not fool-proof, and does need some instruction in usage.

[Heroic Mulatto]

For certain conditions it can prove life-threatening.

And even if I agreed that was a reason for nanny-state control over a substance, how is that different from tylenol? You know what too much acetaminophen can do to a liver, right?

[buybuydandavis]

There are about 150 Acetaminophen deaths a year.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....76991.html

And even if I agreed that was a reason for nanny-state control over a substance

At least at Reason, can we take the default position to be that we shouldn't be captive slaves of the medical mafia?

[Billy Bones]

It is now available OTC in California (or will be as soon as law goes into effect).

[Vapourwear]

People should consult with a physician before beginning hormone therapy.

That said, it should ALL be OTC.

[John]

Its hard out there for upper class white women.

[Atanarjuat]

Somehow I recently stumbled across a series of YouTube videos wherein Gavin MacInnes trolls feminists by saying that women would be happier if they'd never listened to them and stayed at home making babies.

[John]

I have several friends from high school who got married in their early 20s, never worried about having a career and had kids. All of them are still married, their kids turned out great and seem to be perfectly adjusted and happy people. Compare them to your typical Jezebel writer or your typical I 95 corridor career woman desperate for a husband hearing the biological clock ticking and you tell me who was smarter.

[Mainer2]

False consciousness for the win.

[Atanarjuat]

So maybe upper class white women are unhappy, but it's feminists' fault.

[Loki]

"I truly believe there has never been a presidential election where women's issues have been so prominent during almost every moment, on both sides of the aisle," Dan Jaffe, who heads the Association of National Advertisers' government relations department, told Adweek.

Commercials run by Clinton, Sanders, and their GOP opponents are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, of course. With Super PACs and political interest groups also taking to the boob tube

I see what you did there.

[Playa Manhattan.]

If you're focused on "boob tube", then you probably missed "just the tip".

[Mainer2]

Is it that iceberg with the bikini babe on it ?

[wef]

A gaggle of prudish scolds, tut-tutting over the crassness of an unrestrained and self-confident go-getter. If you do not understand how that ad generates net positive votes for Trump, then you'll never understand how Trump has gotten this far already.

[Drake]

This. Particularly when the alternative will be the queen of old scolds.

[scape]

I can't help but laugh at that ad. It's like singing death metal or gangsta rap lyrics in the style of Frank Sinatra. All meaning and intents are dashed by the absurdity of the delivery. It misses its mark as serious commentary but gets a chuckle at the expense of the offended.

[Mongo]

I read in today's fish wrap that Charles Koch is pondering backing HRC as he's not too keen on the GOP candidates. Hillary tweeted that she wasn't interested in his backing!

Stoopid and Stoopider.

[Domestic Dissident]

I read in today's fish wrap that Charles Koch is pondering backing HRC as he's not too keen on the GOP candidates.

This would certainly explain a lot about what has happened to Reason over the last eight to ten years or so.

[Spencer]

Really? He didn't say that at all. He said if her actions and rhetoric changed, maybe, MAYBE he would.

[Spencer]

Really? He didn't say that at all. He said if her actions and rhetoric changed, maybe, MAYBE he would.

[Irish ?s Lauren Southern]

The fact that Charles Koch would be willing to back a Democrat if he liked her more than the Republicans is just proof he's a Machiavellian right-wing shill.

[John]

It likely will hurt Hillary. She hasn't accepted his endorsement. So maybe you are right.

[R C Dean]

That's the spin.

What he actually said was different, namely, he doesn't trust any of the candidates to do what they say will do while campaigning.

[Loki]

he doesn't trust any of the candidates to do what they say will do while campaigning.

Gee, what a shocker... A libertarian thinks they're all full of shit?! Stop the presses!

[DOOMco]

*Screeching noise*

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

The Kochs are kryptonite to Democrats. Charles Koch could single-handedly bring down any progressive or democratic campaign by simply throwing his support behind it.

[Spencer]

Doesn't hurt PBS or the ballet

[Loki]

Proggies can probably ignore that, or rationalize their disdain for all things Koch by saying "well, at least he's doing something positive with his ill-gotten gains," but a Koch endorsing their candidate? That'll probably make their heads explode.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Not sure about that. Let's put it this way, they are NOT happy about Koch support for PBS. Not... happy, Bob.

[Ship of Theseus]

Nah. If the Kochs ever began to back Democrats habitually, they'd be seen as reformed from their evil ways and welcomed into the tent... just as long as they keep writing checks.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

'Women's Issues' Dominate In 2016 Presidential-Campaign Ads
Equal pay, abortion, and other issues concerning sex and gender are all over TV this election.

ENB, I hope Reason pays you to watch these ads no one else sees.

[Loki]

I love how in that ad they say "vote against Donald Trump." Not for anyone, just against Trump. That's pretty much admitting that all the candidates suck ass and none of them are worth voting "for." I just find it interesting that they're actually admitting it that up front.

[Spencer]

Well, this is why Trump won't win. When the focus turns on him he will get louder and more bombastic. He will make binders of women look like a Gloria steinhem quote.

[Hyperion]

I'm pretty sure this is all that Hillary has left in her pantsuit.

[Loki]

I don't want to even think about what Hill-dawg has in her pantsuit.

[Tak Kak]

'Women's Issues' Dominate In 2016 Presidential-Campaign Ads"

Women don't seem to care.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/190.....ction.aspx

[Spencer]

Their minds are already made up from what they've seen.

[Hyperion]

Speaking of wars. What about bathroom wars, Hillary should run on that. This can be her new campaign poster:

http://www.theblaze.com/wp-con...../trans.jpg

[Spencer]

Well, someone just admitted they've been to theblaze.com...

[Heroic Mulatto]

Maybe it's 4:20 in his time zone.

[Hyperion]

3:43 actually, brah.

[Spencer]

Do you even Glenn Beck chalkboard conspiracy theory, brah?

[Hyperion]

What the fuck are you even talking about?

[DOOMco]

Glen beck wears a tin foil hat?
I wear manganese, personally.

[Spencer]

When he lost his TV show he had to scale back...

[R C Dean]

I wear manganese,

*taps side of nose, nods knowingly*

[Hyperion]

PJ Media is where I copied the link from. Another SJW witch hunt results in one more victim.

[Spencer]

Take the fuckING joke. I'm giving it to you. Take it. It's like charity only not as comically useless.

[Hyperion]

You spelled fuckING with three caps, brah.

[Spencer]

That's because my phone is too polite for these boards, my goodman.

[A Cynic's Guide to Zen]

Who is this guy stealing my line?

[Pay up, Palin's Buttplug!]

The latest on liberal Derpbook is that the Bathroom Wars are rape culture.

[Lord at War]

C'mon PuPB, that shit never happens.

[brady949]

Did you all hear Hillary is a woman? She's a woman. That would make her the first woman president. WOMEN

[Hyperion]

Grandmao Pantsuit? It's looking rather androgynous to me these days.

[Rhywun]

Grandmao

I'm stealing that

[Hyperion]

I already stole it, so go ahead.

[Ship of Theseus]

She'd be the first black woman president if the campaign commercials in my area are to be believed.

[Hyperion]

Everyone has a right to be believed.

[lap83]

Are they referring to her heart?

[DOOMco]

Burn.

[buybuydandavis]

Vote Vagina 2016!

[Rhywun]

Clinton was on this morning yapping yet again about abortion to some bored crowd and it was all I could do not to throw my TV out the window.

[Loki]

That's just 'cause you're a cis-hetero male shitlord.

[Rhywun]

Not quite.

[DOOMco]

2/3?

[Trshmnstr, terror of the trash]

FalSS CANShusnuss!!!!

[Loki]

Which part? Not cis, not hetero, or not male?

[Rhywun]

The shitlord part. Nah, the hetero part. I am a shitlord.

[John]

The country is going broke. One in five families don't have a single member with a job. The list of problems this country has is endless. And these ass clowns on both sides have nothing better to talk about than abortion. It is just pathetic.

[Hyperion]

Their economic message didn't go over too well. See Bernie campaign for reference, everyone isn't ready for communism just yet. So it's just war on wiminz all the way down for campaign 2016.

[John]

They are not even communists. That would require having a plan for doing something besides stealing. You give them too much credit. All they want to do is steal and stay on top.

[Rhywun]

I have heard *nothing* from those two that isn't some variation on class war or my-body-my-choice.

[lap83]

I love women's issues, because they allow me to participate in politics despite my weak, womanly brain. Economics and foreign policy are too hard!

[Sevens]

Speaking of which: Camille Paglia conversing with Tyler Cowen. (04/2016)

[Hyperion]

That woman really has got the Salon wackos in a tizzy. It's hilarious.

[John]

I don't always agree with her but she is sharp as hell and always interesting. She is one of the few public intellectuals who deserves the title.

[Rhywun]

Which is amusing because - for those who don't know - she had a column at Salon for years before they went unhinged.

[lap83]

Cool, I'll watch it after work

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Work?!! You can watch it now while you're making dinner for your husband, or does your WIFI not reach the kitchen?

[tritebepum]

Most of us want to have good income but don't know how to do that on Internet there are a lot of methods to earn money at home, so I thought to share with you a genuine and guaranteed method for free to earn huge sum of money at home anyone of you interested should visit the site. More than sure that you will get best result.N5

----------- http://www.Buzzmax7.com