Oops.

October 26, 2001 12:24 PM

Oops. So, the governor of Texas appoints you as the new point-man for domestic safety in the state. Some say it's pay-back for staying out of the Republican Senate primary (where the governor's friend is running) and deciding to run for Lt. Governor. Despite some criticism, you run a four-page glossy ad in a Texas magazine touting your qualifications for Lt. Governor, including your recent appointment as the Texas anti-terrorism czar. The ad features a waving American flag and a patriotic soldier. Only one problem: it's a German soldier.
posted by conquistador (15 comments total)

"It was clearly a mistake in graphics and the graphics consultant has been dealt with appropriately," campaign manager Rob Johnson said in a prepared statement.

Appropriately? Hmmm... I hear Wal Mart has great a great profit sharing program.
posted by Benway at 12:39 PM on October 26, 2001

now who is gonna say, "the greens" are dumb?
posted by mcsweetie at 12:45 PM on October 26, 2001

damn stock photos will get you every time...that really sucks for the guy who was 'dealt with' since they signed off on the ad.
posted by th3ph17 at 12:45 PM on October 26, 2001

If only people in ad agencies got fired for superimposing a windows gui on mac hardware.
posted by machaus at 12:52 PM on October 26, 2001

Texas really hasn't been the same since Pee-Wee lost his bike in the basement of the Alamo.

Sounds like Ozzy needs to go back and piss on it again to wake them up.
posted by tsarfan at 1:04 PM on October 26, 2001

(.wav)
posted by jpoulos at 1:12 PM on October 26, 2001

As a graphic designer, it really pisses me off that the campaign manager is blaming the graphics guy for this mistake. That's the entire point of giving them proofs, which the candidate, an Air Force and CIA vet, admits to looking over a few times. So who should be more likely to be able to identify from that photo that the soldier is German... a graphic designer or an Air Force and CIA vet?
posted by MegoSteve at 1:17 PM on October 26, 2001

They should have gone all the way with it and used a photo of Hermann Goering in full Reichsmarshall regalia.
posted by groundhog at 1:18 PM on October 26, 2001

My favorite screw-up like this was from 1995:

"The administration of Massachusetts Gov. William Weld (R) . . . set up a toll-free number for residents to call with suggestions for cutting government. However, the 1-800-CUT-GOVT number was already being used as the "Anal Action Hotline." For $ 3.99 per minute, callers could get a sultry female on the phone who promises "hot and wild great action with women who love to take it up the a --." The mistake caused considerable embarrassment.

Needless to say, red-faced pols on Beacon Hill set up a new number."

courtesy Campaigns and Elections magazine, 1995
posted by busbyism at 1:27 PM on October 26, 2001

"It was clearly a mistake in graphics and the graphics consultant has been dealt with appropriately,"

In related news, Texas performed an execution Thursday.

(tongue planted firmly in cheek)
posted by msacheson at 1:34 PM on October 26, 2001

I'm with MegoSteve,
Blaming a snafu like that, in his glossy vanity ad, on the design team is just ridiculous. Way to exemplify the competence and integrity that he was hoping to assure people of, eh? Some things, they never, ever change.
posted by Tiger_Lily at 1:41 PM on October 26, 2001

Whaddya expect from a state whose current governor promises to make "putting prayer back in public schools" a priority for his re-election campaign?
posted by davidmsc at 1:43 PM on October 26, 2001

Whaddya expect from a state whose current governor promises to make "putting prayer back in public schools" a priority for his re-election campaign?
posted by davidmsc at 1:44 PM on October 26, 2001

I used to work at a local community theater where they had a 'wall of shame' in the office for typos, etc. my favorite? a letter mailed out for some program where they were doing special performances for the kids...instead of public schools, it said pubic schools.

then again, I think the letter was caught just before being sent out.....
posted by epersonae at 2:08 PM on October 26, 2001

Clearly, if one dumb Green makes all Greens stupid, then one dumb Republican ....

And where's that vaunted "personal responsibility" they're always on about? Oh, right, that only applies to other people.

As for the German officer, he can at least thank his blessings it was the modern German army and not, you know, that one we fought against.

As for Massachusetts, I hear the UNCUT-GOVT hotline is much more popular, at least among gay men.
posted by dhartung at 3:26 PM on October 26, 2001