Republican Florida State Senator Mike Weinstein wanted to reach out to the youth vote. So what's a middle-aged politico to do? He enlisted his son, who writes educational songs for children professionally, to write, produce and star in a musical campaign ad that looks like it could have played on MTV, circa-1983, between Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" and the Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand". Weinstein wanted to ensure a positive, uplifting message:
"My goal was to try to come up with a campaign ad that wasn't attacking anyone or being negative. I find that to be so distasteful," Weinstein, a Republican who represents Jacksonville, told Hotsheet. "I wanted to come up with something that could show you could get a little bit of buzz over a commercial without it being negative."[..]
The music video has been viewed more than 10,000 times on YouTube so far, and the song is available for download on Weinstein's website. It's also catching fire on political blogs.
Of course, it may be easier to run a positive campaign in a district that heavily supports your party -- and in a race with no opponents.
Weinstein explained that all four of his potential challengers have dropped out of the running, leaving him unopposed for a second term.
"For one reason or another -- maybe this song, I don't know -- all four of them bailed," he said.
