May 04, 2010 06:26 PM UTC

"No Jobs John," Anyone?

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• by: Colorado Pols

Here’s that much-balleyhooed ad, planting the nickname they’ve decided to run with (beats the hell out of “Hickenritter,” we’ll give them that much), as we’ve been expecting from the Republican Governor’s Association (RGA)–set to run all month with relatively good penetration. From their release yesterday:

The Republican Governors Association today launched an advertising campaign to highlight the similar records of Democratic candidate for governor of Colorado John Hickenlooper and the man he hopes to replace, Gov. Bill Ritter.  Both men have raised taxes as elected officials and both have killed tens of thousands of jobs.  The significant RGA effort includes television ads on broadcast and cable outlets, radio spots and online advertisements promoting the website www.NoJobsJohn.com.

Now the $290 million in “tax increases” that Hickenlooper “pushed” are mostly comprised of the school funding measures voters approved in 2003, as well as 2007’s “Better Denver” bond issues. It’s true that he’s a persuasive campaigner, but it’s not like he decreed them like the Sheriff of Nottingham; voters approve taxes in Colorado (write that down). But let’s face it, facts aren’t really what this ad is about, it’s more about the stripes–that’s zebra not jail, mind you, though the RGA forgives you for having to think about it.

And how about the nickname? “No Jobs John?” We’re not completely sure that’s going to have purchase on an entrepreneur business founder with a short political resume, but at least it rhymes: some consultants will tell you that’s half the battle.

UPDATE: Resident grammar authorities correctly note that “No Jobs John” is not in fact a rhyme in strict grammatical terms, but an alliteration in the same vein as “Jumpin’ Jehosophat” or “Leapin’ Lizards.” We thank our astute community as always.