The reason political ads are good fodder for brain gnomes is because by law each radio station has to sell political candidates commercials at the cheapest rate offered. For instance: the shyster used car dealer in town buys 1000 commercials a year and he gets a discount making each commercial cost only $1 dollar. A politician walks in running for re-election and he wants to buy 10 commercials. The radio station has to sell him that air time for the same rate the shyster used car dealer gets: $1 dollar.
Why does this happen? Because politicians wrote the law knowing full well that the up-and-coming politicians behind them would benefit from it. Makes you wonder who the real shyster is!
So, the radio station - by law - has an obligation to sell candidates political ads using the rate for commercial time. This is commonly known as the "bottom of the rate card." Do not confuse this with the "bottom of the barrel" which is most likely where most of these politicians slithered up from. It's a good deal for the candidates but these cheap rates do not help what is commonly called the station's "bottom line" nor does it line the pockets of anyone from the station's sales department, commonly referred to as "bottom feeders."
There's another interesting aspect to this discussion about political candidates buying radio time. It seems once a candidate buys some commercials, he can pretty much say anything he wants - no matter how offensive - and the radio station can't censor the content. For instance:
"Hello. My name is Allen Balls and I'm running for Senator of your state. It's about time the Senate had Balls and if you elect me, I will go to Washington and represent you. Some people think I'm a big nut to want to be in politics but I just tell them to grow a pair and cast a vote for Balls. So, when you go to the poll this Tuesday, pull my lever because America has never needed Balls as much as she does now! Paid for by Allen Balls for Senate Committee.
Now, I count at least seven references in the above example political ad which might be construed as suggestive of male genitalia. Yet, the radio station is going to have to run it as is. Too bad it's not a TV commercial because with a little tweaking it could be a runaway YouTube hit.
As usually in this series, I have presented a subject superficially and with little or no respect. I hope you find that helpful and I trust you now have a better understanding of why election seasons make radio professionals want to pull their hair out. To summarize: if the law is followed properly, it is quite possible that any radio station can single-handedly broadcast the most annoying programming possible, thanks to the many political ads that clog it up and can't be rejected.
By the way, you can find out more on how to write a political radio ad by visiting: LyingForVotes.com.
(Oh come one: there's no such website. Yet.)
