Crafting political ads is a delicate task. Candidates such as Michele Bachmann must carefully walk the line between aggressive and shameless, between earnest and desperate. It's hard to be effective coming from behind. Candidates must avoid
September 13, 2011


Crafting political ads is a delicate task.

Candidates such as Michele Bachmann must carefully walk the line between aggressive and shameless, between earnest and desperate. It's hard to be effective coming from behind. Candidates must avoid the perception they are simply experimenting with provocative messages to break through media fog--flailing or despair will be read as weakness.

It's tough to put aside your ideological preferences and coldly analyze a candidate's efficacy, but it's of inestimable use to a modern campaign. So let's play Frank Luntz! Get out your imaginary focus group dials, let us coldly break down Bachmann's new spot. How's her body language? Her messaging? Do her plunging, nay, disintegrating poll numbers seem to inform her choices? In the battle for primary voters, every variable must be carefully weighed.

See how you think she did and share your thoughts in the comments.

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