Retro Commercials

Jimmy Carter’s television commercials represented a futile attempt to cast his presidency in the best possible light, and to raise concerns about his opponent. Stressing his main achievement, the Camp David peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, they portrayed him as a peacemaker and emphasized his military background. As in 1976, the ads focused less on issues and accomplishments than on Carter’s personal qualities, calling him “a solid man in a sensitive job.” By describing the presidency …

Ronald Reagan’s television spots were not particularly artful. The centerpiece of the campaign was a conventional biographical ad tracing Reagan’s career and crediting him with reducing California’s deficit while lowering taxes. The ad’s main purpose was to show that Reaganbest known to the public as a movie actorwas also an effective governor. The rest of Reagan’s ads were simple but effective variations on the central question he put to voters: “Are you better off today than you were …

Yet another set of commercials, mostly from 1998: 1. 1998 CBS promos for A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Garfield Christmas. 2. Willie Nelson sings for Taco Bell (1993). 3. Have a Family Game Night with board games from Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers (1998). 4. You’ll flip for Betty…