Political ads in newspapers have pretty much gone the way of the Dodo Bird.
It was interesting, therefore, to hear a comment by Aaron Kushner, owner of the Orange County Register and the soon to launch (April 16) Los Angeles Register, at the Zocalo Public Square discussion Monday on the newspaper business (moderated by F&H contributor Joe Mathews). Kushner said aside from asking a direct question about voting, the one question that would determine if someone votes is to ask if they read a newspaper. He said that studies show that 90-percent of newspaper readers vote.
Yet, newspaper political ads are mostly gone. It may appear counter intuitive, but perhaps reaching out to a shrinking pool of newspaper readers with ads could be politically potent considering the shrinking pool of voters.
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To convince voters to support a proposed initiative on the medical injury law (MICRA) to increase the limit on non-economic damages for doctors involved in lawsuits – a potential boon to lawyers who financially back the proposal — proponents of the measure don’t use raising the limit as their leading argument, but rather emphasize the provision that doctors should be tested for drugs and alcohol.
This requirement in the initiative comes to mind when I listen to the aggressive radio commercials promoting lawyers who offer their services to defend anyone charged with driving under the influence.
You’ve probably heard the ads that tell you that these attorneys are at the ready to get an ensnared driver out from under the penalties that come with a drunk driving conviction.
So on one hand, we have lawyers who are so concerned with impairment that they argue doctors must face drug and alcohol tests regularly, and on the other hand, lawyers who want to save you from drunk driving convictions.
Serious business indeed but does anyone else see the irony here?
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President Barack Obama made an effort to communicate the advantages of the Affordable Care Act to a hip audience by appearing with Zack Galifianakis on Funny or Die’s website show, Between Two Ferns. The president’s presence on the comedy segment generated both criticism and support.
Thinking about the president’s decision to do the show, I wondered if Governor Jerry Brown would make a similar appearance on such a show. My guess: he wouldn’t waste time with a sarcastic interview. However, his declarations against declinists, subsidiary functions and potheads would satisfy the audience and it wouldn’t be a put on.