Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Russ Darrow took a unique route in campaigning for the GOP primary by showing 600 people at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee a movie commercial.
The movie, titled \The Right Russ,"" criticized U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., by focusing on his campaign finance reform and his votes against the USA Patriot Act, tax cuts and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, among others. The movie parodied the ""listening sessions"" Feingold holds in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties, where he listens to citizens from each county. According to the movie, Feingold has not been listening.
Feingold campaign manager George Adrich said he gives the film two thumbs down because it is too gimmicky.
""Unlike Mr. Darrow's film, Feingold's promise to go to each county each year to hold a town hall meeting is no gimmick,"" he said. ""He actually does it and follows through.""
UW-Madison political science Professor Charles Franklin said Darrow's current motive of challenging Feingold's listening sessions is a risky venture in itself. He said if Darrow's campaign is not effective in discounting Feingold's listening sessions and trying to show that Feingold is not actually listening, it will have boosted Feingold's standing by making more people aware of the listening sessions.
Frank Harris, UW-Madison senior and chair of College Republicans, said using a movie is somewhat quizzical considering it does not reach much of an audience. He said in order for Darrow's campaign to be effective and to reach most voters, he has to use broadcast television. He said the movie was shown mostly to Darrow supporters, but supporters already know why they are supporting Darrow.
Franklin also said the use of a movie for campaigning is strange because the size of the audience it hits is not that high, especially in comparison to showing a television commercial during prime time. He said although the movie may not swing many votes, it succeeds in creating buzz and attention for Darrow's upcoming television and radio campaigns.
Harris said Darrow's bid for becoming a U.S. senator is helped immensely by the fact that he has so much money. Franklin said Darrow has instant name recognition from the car dealerships he owns. Franklin also said although Darrow does not have the same the political background as his opponents, he has the advantage of being able to self-finance his campaign.
