Historic perspective casts an eerie glow over this one. Nixon's machine was a combine chewing up all that stood between him and the Oval Office. It was the first time I read of the concept of incumbency in advertising. Nixon had it from the git go and never let loose. How daunting it is to face a campaign that assumes the sale with a cocky swagger, taunting opponents into a head-on death match.

Though he was ultimately undone by his demons, taken out by those who loathed him, Nixon's advertising set the template for republicans in the next three cycles.

Liberal and conservative alike look at these with a wistful sigh. Was it really that simple then? Did things really move that slow in an ad? Some say we lost our innocence as a nation the day his big brother fell in Dallas. For a brief time, it seemed Bobby would give it back.

Political advertising is the high wire: big stakes, short time. While the influence of traditional media is waning, the power of the political ad remains strong. What one word turned this election? What’s the one word you’re using to measure our new president’s performance? Where did you get that word?

As we count down to next week’s inaugration, let’s remember back over political ads that turned the tide. Regardless of how you voted, if you were out of diapers and watching TV, these ads will echo in your memory.

Starting with the best of the best. I’m sorry for the quality of it, but there is no one ad that so polarized an electorate as Johnson’s Daisy spot. A little girl counting daisy petals contrasted against a nuclear detonation. The operative question: Who’s finger do you want on the button?

Just wait and see how many times that finger-on-the-button reference pops up over the years.

The images are gripping. Grainy, black and white footage shot by an Israeli plane flying overhead; men loading rockets into a pickup truck to be driven across the border and launched into Israel. Moments later, they're hit by an IAF air strike. No one survives.  You're watching the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) channel on YouTube. 

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