Like a breath of fresh air, a new video web advertisement released today by Nick Kliebenstein takes a self-deprecating approach as the Broomfield Republican pokes fun at his own name, while also hitting some serious high notes by highlighting his plans to help address a faltering state economy.
The ad starts out like any other political piece we’ve all been deluged with in the recent weeks. A stern voiceover proclaims how in tough economic times, “we need a concerned, small-business owner who’s willing to listen.” But the ad quickly takes a sharp turn for the comical when Kliebenstein turns toward the camera to correct the narrator who has trouble pronouncing the candidate's last name.
“People just have a tough time pronouncing my name,” Kliebenstein said. “When I first ran for office people told me, ‘Nick, you got to do something about that last name.’”
The low-budget video was posted on the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube Tuesday and as of press time has already been viewed by over 170 Web surfers.
Kliebenstein, who is running in a hotly contested race against Democrat incumbent Rep. Dianne Primavera for House District 33, said he and his campaign team came up with the idea when they joked that his name would barely fit on a yard sign.
“When I ordered yard signs, we joked that they needed to be 12 feet long to fit my name,” Kliebenstein said.
He said that even though they decided to have some fun with the video ad, he also wanted to address some real issues, namely alleviating high-energy costs.
“I have no doubt that when my two little girls grow up, they will use only renewable sources of energy,” Kliebenstein said. “But until then, we need to use what resources have in the state to lower the cost of energy.”
The ad, which also features Kliebenstein’s daughters, is currently available only on YouTube. Ever the suave politico, Kliebenstein suggested that if his campaign could raise enough funds, they'd happily put it on TV in the 20 days remaining before the election. Hopefully, he'll find some takers.