Campaign ads lack content to approve

Vote early and vote often.

- Al Capone

If you watch a lot of political ads on TV, you've probably come to the conclusion that candidates differ on what's good for our country.

But there is one thing all these political hopefuls seem to agree on.

One idea that can concisely sum up their hopes and dreams for our nation.

One phrase that has reverberated throughout the 2004 election year, setting it apart from years past.

"I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE."

"Why," asked someone I know, "do all those political candidates say, 'I approved this message' with their TV ads?"

Why indeed?

I called Chris Riggall, of the Georgia Secretary of State's Office (which handles elections), and he said the repetitive phrasing was mandated by federal election reform laws. (Not state or local races.)

That's where to find it - Section 311 of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act.

The so-called "Stand by Your Ad" amendment makes all TV campaign ads include "a statement that identifies the candidate and states that the candidate has approved the communication."

The candidate may make that statement directly to the camera, or the candidate's voice-over can accompany a "clearly identifiable" image.

It also must appear on-screen in print for at least four seconds.

Got that?

Now, if you're thinking what I'm thinking, you're thinking this is all a pretty silly effort at reform.

Most political TV commercials I have seen have the intellectual depth of a Barney episode or the hard-hitting impact of a Friends rerun.

For the most part, they handle the tough issues by ignoring them.

Instead, they depict happy candidates greeting even happier crowds.

Small children wave flags. Gray-haired seniors nod wisely.

You can almost smell the homemade apple pies cooling on a windowsill.

In the background, church hymns sing low from an open stained-glass window.

All of this is shown basking in the golden glow of a happier, simpler time when slick production companies didn't film such scenes but Norman Rockwell painted them.

Mayberry lives.

The candidate smiles.

Who wouldn't approve that message?

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.