Indigo Journal

Going Viral: Drake Blasts Gov in "500 Days of Sanford" Ad

Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by Jennifer Read in SC Politics

Dwight Drake’s new media team has come out swinging against our embattled Governor with a clever web video designed to direct viewers to sign the campaign’s online petition urging state leaders to remove Sanford from office.

The web ad, “(500) Days of Sanford,” (a play on the Indy romantic comedy “(500) Days of Summer”) replays the highlights of this summer’s entire Sanford saga and warns of continuing drama for South Carolina unless state leaders act soon to remove the Governor.

Last week, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate called on South Carolina’s constitutional officers to oust Sanford for the good of the state. Under Article IV, Section 12 of the South Carolina Constitution, the state’s four constitutional officers could remove Sanford from power if they find that the Governor is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”

While it’s highly unlikely that the state’s constitutional officers would be willing to oust the Governor in this fashion — Attorney General/GOP gubernatorial candidate Henry McMaster indicated on Thursday he won’t go there and Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom is a Sanford ally — Drake’s well-produced web ad already has gone viral.

Whether you’re a Drake supporter or not, the Democratic candidate’s aggressive, party-neutral anti-Sanford messaging and his creative new media strategy are the most sophisticated marketing and list-building approach to emerge so far in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

It’s also a sign to his challengers that Drake is willing to pull out all the stops to grab the Democratic nomination next June.