MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - A political ad apparently running on a Milwaukee urban radio station about Wisconsin's governor's race is garnering attention.
But that social media attention has more to do with its unusual nature than its message.
It's been posted on YouTube, and linked to a number of different blogs and Twitter. St. Norbert College political science professor Charley Jacobs watched the advertisement.
"Not maybe the most bizarre I've ever seen but it ranks up there pretty high," says Jacobs. "For this race it's certainly probably among the most bizarre things that we've seen aired in support or in opposition to either candidate or their policies."
The ad, from a group called Citizens for Urban Justice, goes negative against both Republican Scott Walker and Democrat Mary Burke. After watching the ad, the incumbent Walker seems to be given the less-scathing review of the two candidates.
"It's not about trying to make the case for Scott Walker, and I would argue more than anything else, it's an attempt to try to keep those Democrats and liberals who are most likely to vote for Mary Burke home," says Jacobs.
It's tantamount to voter suppression, according to Jacobs, who adds that keeping those Democratic votes home potentially will only help Governor Walker in an election that largely will be judge on turnout.
"If the ad can suggest to that community that Mary Burke is not a qualified candidate, whose policies that she would produce while governor wouldn't benefit them, they might just stay home and sit out the race," says Jacobs.
The effect of this ad from an outside group, who's only known prior contributions, was during the Milwaukee County Sheriff's race earlier this year, remains unclear.
"I think that for some people, who often are very jaded about the political process and about the impact that a single vote can have on improving the community, it may help the Walker campaign in keeping some people home," said Jacobs.
Jacobs adds that the group's advertising could be more effective had they bought more air time, for a longer period, and without Burke's heavy political hitters coming into Milwaukee urging them to get out and vote November 4.