--- title: Top Six Political Campaign Ads of the Summer (So Far) description: From sign language to football coaches, here are six of this season's best political ads. canonical: https://time.com/2977253/campaign-ads-best-2014-summer/ author: Becca Stanek article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2014-07-11T20:37:30.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:01:07.479Z article:section: Politics og:title: Top Six Political Campaign Ads of the Summer (So Far) og:description: From sign language to football coaches, here are six of this season's best political ads. og:url: https://time.com/2977253/campaign-ads-best-2014-summer/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt896b8e33dd20ea23/69869b7e3bc99921911a4807/screen-shot-2014-07-11-at-5-39-09-pm.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2546 og:image:height: 1432 og:image:alt: Screen Shot 2014-07-11 at 5.39.09 PM og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Top Six Political Campaign Ads of the Summer (So Far) twitter:description: From sign language to football coaches, here are six of this season's best political ads. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt896b8e33dd20ea23/69869b7e3bc99921911a4807/screen-shot-2014-07-11-at-5-39-09-pm.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Best 6 Political Campaign Ads of the Summer (So Far) > Sponsored content. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, three times a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ## Video: In A Box. Most Original Political Ad [Watch (HLS stream): In A Box. Most Original Political Ad](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/PljsTA5x.m3u8) (1:10)  _Published 2014-07-11. Darius Foster Campaign Ad_ by [Becca Stanek](https://time.com/author/becca-stanek/) ## Becca Stanek Jul 11, 2014 8:37 PM UTC  Charlie Crist, Democrat For Mayor by [Becca Stanek](https://time.com/author/becca-stanek/) ## Becca Stanek Jul 11, 2014 8:37 PM UTC These are the dog days of election year politics. The fields are mostly set, and the final battle is still too far away to matter much. Plus, who wants to think about politics in summer? The answer: The campaign ad makers. Political Mad Men have no problem working the heat into their spots, or doing even better by making political spots so compelling we can’t look away even when we would rather be swimming. So without further ado, here is our take on 2014’s top 6 political ads of the summer, so far. **6.”Sunshine” – Charlie Crist, Democratic candidate for Governor of Florida** Charlie Crist pays homage to the sunshine state of Florida through this ad’s theme. The high-quality video clearly outlines what Crist accomplished in his last term and what his goals are should he be reelected, which gives viewers a clear picture of what this candidate wants you to think he is about. **5.”Question from Don – Retired Coal Miner” – Alison Lundergan Grimes, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator from Kentucky** This Alison Lundergan Grimes ad pulls off a political attack in an effective, tactful and even funny manner. Rather than loud accusations and a laundry list rant about her opponent Mitch McConnell, the complaint comes from the mouth of a concerned constituent who doesn’t attack but simply asks a question. The long silence gets a bit uncomfortable. **4.”Janey” – Kay Hagan, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator from North Carolina** This Kay Hagan ad hooks you in with a personal story involving a dad, who served in the military, and his daughter, who died of leukemia after drinking the base’s contaminated water. By selecting a particular issue and highlighting Hagan’s work within it, the ad neatly showcases her accomplishments. **3.”Coach” – Mike McFadden, Republican candidate for U.S. Senator from Minnesota** This ad is sure to stick in your memory because, hey, it’s not every day you see a grown man get hit in the crotch by a kid. The boys from his football team play spokespeople, adding a punch of cuteness and believability to his political message. He nails the all-American dad image with this advertisement, and when you are running against comedian-turned-senator Al Franken, it’s always good to be funny. **2\. “Meet My Mom” – Emily Cain, Democratic candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District** This ad stood out from others for one reason: there was no sound. Emily Cain’s mom, an interpreter for the deaf, signs the whole advertisement, which has subtitles running across the bottom. The idea is unique and the mother-daughter relationship,­ a seemingly common tactic this ad season, offers a sense of familiarity and friendliness. The connection between the Deaf Community and voting for Cain might have been a bit of a stretch, especially because the ad didn’t offer any campaign promises or pros of the candidate, but the ad does stand out. **1.”In A Box” – Darius Foster, Republican state candidate for District 56, Alabama’s House of Representatives** While most political ads focus on the politician, Darius Foster switches it up by focusing on the constituents. His ad shows him as a man of the people. Foster doesn’t pile on promises and boost himself up, but instead offers personal facts about himself ranging from his recent attendance at a Lil Wayne concert to the fact that he’s the first in his family to attend college. ## Transcript Since I've announced my campaign, people mostly ask me how long have I been a Republican. Where do I live? What school did I attend? I suppose they're just trying to get to know me. Or put me in a box. Did you know while growing up, we went half the winter without heat? Or that I think best while listening to Frank Sinatra? The last concert that I attended was Lil Wayne. Yes, Lil Wayne. My favorite NBA player is Dirk Nowitzki. Go Mavs. I take it personal when people mistake poor for lazy. And unfortunately no, I cannot swim. My favorite book of the bible is Ecclesiastes. It's the only book I've read where God gave a man everything. He lost it and lived to tell about it. I was the first in my family to earn a four year degree, and one of the best things about me is that I married very, very well. Now that you know a little about me, do I really fit in a box? See you on the campaign trail. 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