Woof in Advertising: Ron Paul’s no shih tzu

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul portrays himself as a Rottweiler, and his opponents as shih tzus, in a new campaign ad.

The ad, being broadcast in both Iowa and New Hampshire, is called “Big Dog,” and it accuses the other candidates of being all bark and no bite when it comes to cutting government spending.

“Testosterone-laden,” the Des Moines Register called it.

While his opponents may whine “like little shih tzus,” Ron Paul, according to the ad, will pounce on out of control federal government spending, cutting it by $1 trillion in the first year and eliminating five federal agencies.

As we’ve been telling you in this series, dogs are being used like never before to sway public opinion — and we wouldn’t be surprised if other candidates seized on the dog theme, portraying themselves, or their opponents as particular breeds.

Imagine the possibilities: Rick Perry as a well-groomed but oblivious Afghan hound; Michele Bachmann as a flighty Irish setter; Mitt Romney as a collie, programmed to, when he’s not riding on the top of cars, save people who have fallen into wells; Rick Santorum as a Presa Canario-Chihuahua mix; Newt Gingrich as a grumpy old bulldog; Herman Cain as a frisky pointer who missed his neutering appointment.

In a way, I hate to see dogs dragged into something as sleazy as politics, but with dogs being used to sell everything from toilet paper to insurance, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

(All of our Woof in Advertising selections can be found archived here.)

Posted by jwoestendiek December 6th, 2011 under Muttsblog, videos.
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Comments

Comment from Sam
Time December 6, 2011 at 8:49 am

Ouch – I work for DOI….

Comment from kungpow12
Time December 6, 2011 at 11:07 am

Unfortunately, the comparison doesn’t work. My Shih Tzu has a better understanding of foreign policy than Herman Cain, a better grasp of economics than Rick Perry and a better personality than Mitt Romney.

I’m only half-joking…

Comment from jwoestendiek
Time December 6, 2011 at 11:38 am

Has your dog given any thought to entering the race? With Cain’s departure there might be an opening. I generally stick to Democrats, but I’d be willing to hear him out, assuming he is Newtered.

Comment from Anne’n'Spencer
Time December 6, 2011 at 4:17 pm

Kungpow12, you are absolutely right, and I would probably rather vote for your Shih Tzu than any of those lames. I’m especially dubious about comparing Michelle Bachman to an Irish Setter. I’ve known several Irish Setters. They are merry, jolly, and full of fun. Not only has the Congresswoman never had any fun, but judging from the amount of time she wants to spend in other folks’ bedrooms, she doesn’t want anybody else to have fun, either. As for Afghan Hounds, they will hunt for and bring down your dinner single-handedly and once they’ve taken care of that, they’ll protect your flocks and herds from marauding wildlife. They’re not oblivious–they just want to be sure you’re somebody they’d like to know before they make a commitment. Perry apparently can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. As for bulldogs, we should remember that they excel at looking after their humans’ children. Uncle Newtie wants to abscond with our children and turn them all into janitors. No self-respecting bulldog would let the man within half a mile of his precious charges. As for Rottweilers, part of their job was to pull the farmer’s cart home from market while simultaneously protecting the purse with the day’s profits. Seems to me that Mr. Paul would be happier while lifting more of the contents of our purses and giving it away to the bandits. I think the Rottweilers should get together and sue for defamation of character. So your Shih Tzu will certainly get my vote–and I’d like to advance the candidacy of my Beagle as Secretary of State, or perhaps Chief of Staff at the White House.

Comment from vida
Time December 6, 2011 at 7:37 pm

I will vote for the shitzu beagle ticket! No dog ever lied to me, promised me anything they didn’t deliver and aside from a few chewed shoes they’ve never done me wrong. I have a Australian Shepard mix that would excel in any job involving bringing people together-perhaps congress needs a herding dog in charge?

Comment from jwoestendiek
Time December 6, 2011 at 7:53 pm

Vida, As long as he wasn’t born in Australia, which of course would disqualify him as a presidential candidate. Either way, I’d think there could be a place in the cabinet for him. But you’d have to check with Anne and Kungpow.

Comment from Matt Velasco
Time December 6, 2011 at 10:22 pm

Hahahaha…Slim chance my ass. Ron Paul’s going to the top. It’s time to change change.

Comment from Julian Alien
Time December 6, 2011 at 10:26 pm

Do not worry Sam.A Change is always hard but if you are useful to society you will flourish after the change.The rest of society without government jobs has already adapted.Pine Ridge is a failure.Did not Caligula make his horse a Senator thus angering the rest?Why not a collie/shepherd mix.

Comment from Anne’n'Spencer
Time December 6, 2011 at 11:32 pm

Well, if Vida’s dog is a herding dog, then we’d better see about getting him elected to Congress as Barker of the House, or perhaps one of the Minority Woofs.

Comment from Robert
Time December 7, 2011 at 1:47 am

If you can’t leave politics off of a site for dog lovers I’m outta here! I guess no one dares to compare bho to some breed but I guess no dogs resemble a marxist!

Comment from Tina
Time December 15, 2011 at 6:23 pm

Great post! Made me laugh!

Robert – relax, this was not a pro/con policy debate… it was just a ‘dogs in ads’ information post! No real politics included – unless you think the shitzu/beagle ticket could be a serious contender? LOL!

Comment from Leona
Time January 13, 2012 at 4:41 pm

I wonder if Ron Paul would be willing to help fight BSL seeing he is portraying himself as one.

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