Jim Bob Cooter

Relax, this post is not about the Detriot Lions Offensive Coordinator or his magician like play calling that has seemingly raised Matthew Stafford and company from the grave their season appeared to be resting in. Though you have to admit, the dude's got one of the most...shall we say interesting names in any business that one can't help but want to throw around at the same rate that Tony Romo's been throwing interceptions. But I digress from all this football and get down to brass political tacks.

Jim Webb is a name few have heard, and likely even fewer have taken time to get to know. The former Virginia Senator declared his candidacy for the 2016 Presidency earlier this year during the summer. Webb's political credentials certainly warrant attention, as he previously served in the Reagan Administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Secretary of the Navy, and most recently as Senator of Virginia. Webb served the Commonwealth from 2007-2013 as a member of the Democratic Party, during which he additionally served on the Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Foreign Relations, and was an advocate for reforms in the Criminal Justice System.

So why then, would a politician as seasoned as Webb be buried in the press under other candidates whose track record of success let alone experience is modest at best? (*cough cough, Donald, Ben, Rubio, well you get the point)
Chances are, since the beginning of all the 2016 Presidential discussions, you've heard plenty through the media about celebrities staking their claim for the White House, and the top 2 candidates on either side of the political spectrum. What you haven't heard a lot about are those candidates pulling in less than double digits in percentages of the current vote. Does this mean these candidates are any less important or deserve any less coverage from the press? Absolutely not. Alas, this does not come as a surprise to many, if any at all, as it has become common practice for the media to talk about the hot topics and popular characters, rather than subject matter and individuals that may generate less of a wow factor. In addition to Webb not jumping off the popularity page in the same way Donald Trump jumps at the chance to insult a disabled member of the press or make large scale racial generalizations, Webb's track record of identifying more with ideologies and policies rather than party lines and labels could be the cause of his apparent unpopularity with the media and voters.

Webb describes himself as a bi-partisan law maker and this falls in line with one of the primary reasons he opted to not run for re-election for his seat in the Senate, citing he was frustrated with the partisan gridlock that plagued the Senate and often prevented the legislative body from major accomplishments. The American people's need to identify with a particular party and label of conservative, liberal, etc. can be cited as an underlying reason for Webb's discontent with the political system and general unwillingness of politicians to work together for the betterment of the whole.

Having initially declared his candidacy as a member of the Democratic Party, he quickly fell behind the likes of former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders. Webb eventually recanted his candidacy as a member of the Democratic Party, however, it is likely that he will continue his campaign as an Independent candidate. In the mean time, we have some pretty hilarious gems to fall back on, courtesy of the official Jim Webb Twitter page.


First up, we have a promotion from Gilt, that was promoted by GQ. Apparently, whoever was behind the keyboard running the Webb Twitter page got a little too excited about this promotion.

The tweet was shortly removed thereafter but not before GQ landed this golden response.

Perhaps the best of the best are displayed in these promotions made by #WebbNation in support of the former Senator.

While these tweets won't win him the desk chair in the Oval Office, they do offer some political humor during this time fueled by smear tactics and finger pointing advertisements. For those of you who stuck it out to the end of this rather lengthy and final post, thank you. Thank you for your time during the course of this semester in joining me on my first blogging journey. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did, and at the end of the day were able to find some humor in my take on the suit and tie straight laced world of politics and intersection with the media.


Sources and Polls: 

The Official Jim Webb Twitter Page is an Unintentional Comedy Goldmine

Jim Webb'16: Leadership You Can Trust

The Politics and Elections Portal

2016 Presidential Polls

"Marco?...Rubio!"

Republican Presidential Nominee Marco Rubio plans to hit the airwaves Sunday, November 29th, with a new ad. This ad, which serves as Rubio's first on television, focuses on the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the issue of national security. While the Rubio campaign would not comment on the price tag for this new ad, it is scheduled to run nationwide on cable networks.

Rubio's minimalist ad features himself, framed in front of a black backdrop, speaking directly to the camera and in a frank tone the American people on the issue of national security. The context throughout the ad focuses on an "us vs. them" comparison, which can be felt in Rubio's closing statement of,

 “I’m Marco Rubio. I approve this message because there can be no arrangement or negotiation. Either they win or we do.”

In addition to this ad, Rubio's campaign also plans to release another ad in which they highlight GOP Candidate Jeb Bush's high praise for Rubio. This tactic serves as an effort to undermine the Bush campaign's attempts to discredit Rubio though "phony attacks"and ads aimed at attacking the Florida Senator. Some of Bush's most notable lines used in Rubio's ad are,

 “He’s probably the most articulate conservative on the scene today [...] and has the fortitude to be a good president.”

Rubio's choice to frame the issue of national security and highlight praise given to him by his own competition, will seek to promote his platform portraying himself as the strongest choice in the upcoming election. Rubio currently sits third in the Republican Nomination Polls, though Senator Ted Cruz is not far behind. While fellow GOP candidates Donald Trump and Ben Carson deal with publicity issues in the media, Rubio will look to strategically surge in the polls with the same craftiness and timing of a stud race horse in the Kentucky Derby.

Sources and Polls: 

Marco Rubio's Campaign Unveils First Television Ad

Maro Rubio Unleashes a Devastating New Ad Against Jeb Bush

2016 Republican Presidential Nomination

Donald Trump going down in a blaze of Donald Trump

Although he currently holds the lead in the Republican Presidential Nomination, Donald Trump's blunders with the media continue. At a rally held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Tuesday, November 24th, Trump visually and verbally mocked Serge Kovaleski, a reporter for the New York Times that suffers from arthrogyposis, a condition that limits the flexibility of his arms. Using extremely distasteful body gestures and insinuating that the reporter did not remember what he wrote in an article following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Trump attempted to discredit what Kovaleski had written some 14 years ago.

Trump's regretful comments came in an attempt to defend his claim that he saw groups of people in New Jersey celebrating the aftermath of 9/11. In Kovaleski's original article, he stated

"...law enforcement authorities detained and questioned a number of people who were allegedly seen celebrating the attacks and holding tailgate-style parties on rooftops while they watched the devastation on the other side of the river."

This claim along with other similar assertions have since been discredited by government and law enforcement officials who were in New Jersey during and after the time of the attacks. Trump rebuked Kovaleski for his recent recollection of the original article, while simultaneously jerking his arms in front of his body mocking Kovaleski's physical condition, stating

“Now, the poor guy — you've got to see this guy, ‘Ah, I don't know what I said! I don't remember!'"

Trump's gesture toward Kovaleski carries personal weight as well, as Kovaleski covered Trump while working for the New York Daily News between 1987 and 1993; a period of great financial instability for Trump as he struggled through several financial setbacks. While Trump maintains his stance that he was not aware of any physical ailment suffered by Kovaleski and did not mock his physical appearance, Kovaleski said he was sure Trump remembered him and his condition, during a phone interview Wednesday.

This is not Trump's first mockery of a member of the media. During an interview with NBC this past July, Trump unleashed his verbally demeaning Cracken on columnist Charles Krauthammer who is paralyzed from the waist down. After Krauthammer called Trump a "rodeo clown," Trumps countered with this gem,

“I get called by a guy that can’t buy a pair of pants, I get called names?”

Several friends and colleagues, as well as the Times itself took to the social media board in showing their support for the Kovaleski. ESPN's Don Van Natta, Jr., fellow New York Times reporter Dan Barry, and The New York Times issued these statements, respectively.

 "@sergenyt is one of the best reporters— and best people— I know. This is despicable."

"The measure of men. Know this: Serge Kovaleski, aka @sergenyt, is a journalistic rock star and one great colleague."

“We think it's outrageous that he would ridicule the appearance of one of our reporters.”

Trump continues to lead all Republican Nominees, however, if he continues to bite the hand that feeds with his mockery of the media, he could soon be reading articles about those celebrating his fall from glory and expulsion from the Presidential Race.

Sources and Polls:

Trump blasted by New York Times after mocking reporter with disability

Northern New Jersey Draws Probers' Eyes

2016 Republican Presidential Nomination

Snap, Crackle, & Pop

As the political advertising pie continues to cook, various companies are fighting for a slice of their own. The popular social media company Snapchat is staking their claim for rights to a cut of the funds. The company boasts a millennial user base in the millions, two-thirds of which are likely to vote, according to data supplied to POLITICO from Snapchat. Rob Saliterman, the head of political sales for Snapchat supported the company's position stating,

    “Younger people are not only on Snapchat but young people who are on Snapchat are interested in the election, are engaged in politics and have a high likelihood to vote.”

Of the 100 million daily Snapchat users, an estimated 63 percent are between the ages 16-34. Saliterman, who formerly worked at Google, has delivered pitches to various 2016 Presidential campaigns about Snapchat's services and the upside to utilizing the social media app. Data from a recent survey suggests that one-third of all millennials in America who plan to vote are Snapchat users.

Several candidates have begun recording and posting behind-the-scenes clips of what life on the campaign trail is like. Of those invited to the most recent debate, only Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, and Rick Santorum remain without their own Snapchat accounts. Surging Democrat Bernie Sanders is now a member of the Snapchat community, albeit still new to the workings and setup of the program. The Senator took to Twitter voicing his lighthearted comments about the app,

    "What is this Snapshot thing and why do I only get ten seconds."

Aside from aspirations of having candidates post candid videos of campaign life and posting free content, Snapchat hopes for candidates to pay for ads. Thus far, only 3 candidates have done so: Rand Paul, John Kasich, and Scott Walker. In efforts to help generate more ad dollars, Snapchat has begun promoting "live stories" in states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. Saliterman, from Google, is not the only person jumping on board the Snapchat bandwagon, as Peter Hamby left his job at CNN to help launch Snapchat's in-house news operation.

Barack Obama's 2012 campaign manager, Jim Messina, endorsed the value and political potential of utilizing Snapchat.

    “I now think the most important technology for millennial voters is Snapchat [...] And it didn’t exist three years ago [...] Now it is dominant with those people.”

Messina makes quality points, and according to a survey of millennials conducted by Global Strategy Group and Public Opinion Strategies, 63 percent of those who use Snapchat are currently following the presidential race and nearly 40 percent viewed either the first Republican debate or first Democratic debate earlier this fall. The same poll tallied results showing that 73 percent of millennials use their phone as an additional screen while watching television. For example, nearly one-third of those who said they tuned in for the GOP debate in September were simultaneously using Snapchat.

While social media sites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are becoming more of a primary source for millennials to receive their news, Snapchat still has some catching up to do. Some campaign strategists suggest that purchasing ads on Snapchat is no more about making a splash in the media as getting people to actually view the ads. With nearly every campaign using Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube as a medium for advertising, Snapchat is certainly fighting an uphill battle in their quest for a place at the political advertising table.

In efforts to help boost their stock among political campaigns, Snapchat is offering campaigns an opportunity to insert 10-second political ads into videos users watch on the app. Additionally, Snapchat giving users an opportunity to use a new "filter," which layers a political message on top of videos and other messages the users post.

Snapchat remains a high ceiling, low floor option in the field of political advertising players for campaigns to choose from. With the 2016 race intensifying and candidates searching for the upper hand over their competition, only time will tell if Snapchat is the game changer that many have searched for.

Sources and Polls:

Snapchat Makes Play for Political Ad Revenue

2016 Democratic Presidential Nomination

2016 Republican Presidential Nomination

The Previous Play Is Under Review

With the recent passing of Veterans Day I came across a story I found particularly unsettling. In a joint oversight report prepared by Senator John McCain and Senator Jeff Flake, it has been found that the Pentagon has been using funds generated by the U.S. tax payers in order to fund acts of paid patriotism. Exactly how much money you ask? How about $6.8 million in expenditures towards sports marketing contracts since the 2012 fiscal year. Far from pocket change for the American people and a country who continues to see its debt ceiling rise like smoke in Mary Poppins chimney.

The four primary American sports leagues associated with the controversy are the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Soccer (MLS). McCain and Flake's report reveals evidence that 72 contracts constructed between the Department of Defense and various teams within the aforementioned leagues contained a form of paid patriotism. Some specific examples of these acts include:

• $49,000 to the Milwaukee Brewers for the Wisconsin Army National Guard to sponsor each Sunday performance of “God Bless America” during home game with announcement and logo recognition on the video board.
• $1,509 for the LA Galaxy to provide pregame recognition of five high ranking officers of the Air Force and 100 general admission tickets to that game.
• DOD paid the Vikings for the “opportunity” to sponsor its military appreciation night.
• DOD paid the Atlanta Falcons to recognize its birthday, to recognize wounded warriors and for National Guard member to sing the national anthem.
• DOD paid the Jets $20,000 to honor “Hometown Heroes.”

Senator McCain and Flake both offered their respective thoughts on the issue stating,

“Professional sports teams do a lot of good for our military, but paid patriotism on the taxpayers’ dime cheapens true displays of patriotism.”- Senator Jeff Flake

 “Americans across the country should be deeply disappointed that many of the ceremonies honoring troops at professional sporting events are not actually being conducted out of a sense of patriotism, but for profit in the form of millions in taxpayer dollars going from the Department of Defense to wealthy pro sports franchises [...] Fans should have confidence that their hometown heroes are being honored because of their honorable military service, not as a marketing ploy.”- Senator John McCain

Upon stirring the pot and letting the fat money cat out of its bag, an amendment was introduced to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The goal of this amendment proposal was to bring an end to taxpayer funded acts of patriotism. The amendment was pushed through and the Department of Defense has since banned paid patriotism, with the National Football League (NFL) calling on its respective organizations to refuse payment for patriotic demonstrations. Despite the U.S. Senate's oversight and DOD's ban on paid patriotism, McCain and Flake both acknowledge we still have a long way to go before reaching the light at the end of the tunnel.

As an avid sports fan, I found the subject matter of this situation absolutely appalling and embarrassing for both our government and for U.S. sports organizations. While neither McCain nor Flake are in the current running for presidential nomination, hats off to them for taking the initiative to uncover the truth and proactively incite legislative change. Stepping up and blowing the whistle, Senators McCain and Flake have officially called game, set, and match on this monumental collusion scheme.

Sources:

Pentagon Paid Sports Teams Millions For Acts of Patriotism

Senators Flake and McCain Expose Paid Patriotism at Pro Sporting Events

Tackling Paid Patriotism

Ehh, What's Up Doc?

In yet another revealing of Dr. Ben Carson’s questionable pedigree, his campaign team has stepped up, adding clarity to whether or not the GOP candidate received a legitimate scholarship offer to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Safe to say, the results are in doc, and they aren’t looking to favorable for you or your campaign.
According to Carson and the accounts he provides in his memoirs, published and titled “Gifted Hands,” during his senior year of high school he met with General William Westmoreland and was eventually offered a full ride to attend West Point. His response to the humbling offer is documented in his book stating,  


"I didn't refuse the scholarship outright, but I let them know that a military career wasn't where I saw myself going […]  As overjoyed as I felt to be offered such a scholarship, I wasn't really tempted.”

A respectable and understandable answer for a young man who at the time, had his pick of the lot in regard to secondary institutions. Unfortunately, this seemingly harmless answer and mention of being awarded a scholarship of exceptional merit proved to be a complete sham. According to Carson’s campaign team, the GOP candidate can’t recall the specifics of the discussion he and Gen. Westmoreland had during their meeting, but it supposedly centered around Carson’s performance and track record as an ROTC City Executive Officer, rather than future plans for his attendance at West Point.

West Point official Theresa Brinkerhoff put another nail in this fact-or-myth coffin when she debunked the possibility of Carson having received admittance to the institution, let alone such a bountiful scholarship offer stating,

"If he chose to pursue (the application process) then we would have records indicating such.” 


In yet another effort to remove the proverbial foot from Carson’s mouth, his campaign manager, Barry Bennett released this statement,

"Carson said was he was offered a nomination for a scholarship. You know that's the first step and you got to be nominated in order to even be considered for military academy so that's the first step […] But when they told him that they would nominate him, he said he wasn't interested, he never applied. He never was accepted. He never turned down the offer.”

The icing on the cake for this incriminating session of Ben Carson going down in a blaze of Ben Carson, came when he recounted his West Point story during an interview with Charlie Rose on PBS.

"I was offered a full scholarship to West Point, got to meet General Westmoreland, go to Congressional Medal of Honor dinners, but decided really my pathway would be medicine.”

Again, the action in question is not whether or not Carson met with General Westmoreland or engaged in any related activities, but if Carson even applied to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, let alone was offered a scholarship.

While some may share the stance that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, I’d like to think that point would be considered heavily debatable, especially when considering the Doctor’s current situation. Having come under recent fire for alleged fabrication of stories during his youth and outlandishly stating that the Great Pyramids were constructed to house grain rather than a monument and resting place for Egyptian Pharaohs, this additional story questioning Carson’s character and ethical pedigree does not bode well in recovering his reputation. 
As for Carson’s thoughts on the matter, he offered CNN his two cents on the issue Friday stating,

"It's a bunch of lies. That's what it is […] A bunch of lies, attempting to say that I'm lying about my history. I think it's pathetic.”

Despite the controversial surrounding Carson, he continues to pick up steam in the polls as he currently trends with GOP front runner Donald Trump. While his status in the polls currently appear healthy, he looks to be well on his way to receiving a terminal diagnosis for his campaign and nomination efforts. 

Sources and Polls:

Ben Carson's campaign admits he never applied to West Point

2016 Republican Presidential Nomination

Will the Real Ben Carson Please Stand Up

Echoing the famous lyrics of Marshall Mathers, "I am whatever you say I am, if I wasn't then why would I say I am, in the paper, the news everyday I am, radio won't even play my jam." Well Mr. Carson, your media chariot has arrived.

Carson's campaign announced Wednesday, November 4th, they will be rolling out a new ad to be aired in markets with predominantly African-American populations. The ad titled "Freedom," will soon be heard in Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Birmingham, Jackson, Memphis, Little Rock, and Houston. The ad features young artist Aspiring Mogul, and uses samples and overdubs of Ben Carson speaking, urging listeners to vote. While Carson's voice clips feature lines such as,

"I'm very hopeful that I'm not the only one who's willing to pick up the baton of freedom, because freedom is not free and we must fight for it every day...Every one of us must fight for it because we're fighting for our children and the next generation," 

Mogul's lyrics attempt to motivate listeners to cast their vote for Carson. Such attempts are made with lines like,

"Vote and support Ben Carson for our next president and be awesome...If we want to get America back on track, we got to vote for Ben Carson matter of fact."

Along with not being in the running for a Grammy anytime soon, Carson faces the more immediate challenge of juggling his own contradictory sentiments regarding hip-hop and the African-American community. His new ad is meant to target areas with high concentrations of African-American populations, yet he went on record in April suggesting that hip-hop "plays a role in destroying the African-American community." Carson further elaborated on the effects he believes hip-hop has on the community stating,

"We need to reestablish faith in our communities and the values and principles that got us through slavery, that got us through Jim Crow, and segregation, and all kinds of horrible things that were heaped upon us [...] Why were we able to get through those? Because of our faith, because of our family, because of our values, and as we allow the hip-hop community to destroy those things for us, and as we grasp onto what's politically correct and not what is correct, we continue to deteriorate."

In a campaign trail littered with backpedaling and elaborate explanations of contradictory statements, this is anything but uncharted territory for the former Neurosurgeon. While Carson gives credit and trust to his advisers, he noted he would've likely taken a different approach to the ad and overall strategy. With his numbers in the polls trending neck and neck with GOP front runner Donald Trump, it will be interesting to see how Carson's unconventional campaign strategy and mockery serve him in the long haul.


Sources and Polls:

Ben Carson Blasts Hip-Hop

Ben Carson Campaign Rolls Out Rap Ad

Ben Carson- "Freedom" Ad (Sound Cloud)

2016 Republican Presidential Nomination