Here is the corrected draft.
I incorporated as many changes as I could from the feedback. Some good ideas were not incorporated for one reason or another (space, focus, availability of images)
Points for discussion / outstanding issues:
* Some people suggested taking out the YouTube line, one person suggested just taking out the 2008 part. My feeling is the demographic reading HT is pretty web savvy and will respond to that call to action.
* There still seems to be some disagreement on how to word Dr. Paul's exact position on legalization of marijuana. We don't want to mislead anyone but at the same time the focus should be kept sharp. He wants to leave it to the states ... can anyone word this into a short sharp bullet point like the last one to replace it? If this can be done I am for that, otherwise I think it should be kept as is.
(Maybe "Ron Paul wants to end the federal prohibition on cannabis (marijuana)"?)
* Some people still want to have a poll/vote
GoRon2008: You are right that it is a very traditional looking ad -- I made a considered choice to approach it like that for a couple of reasons.
1) As opposed to trying to blend in with the style of the other ads in the magazine, this will be a marked departure and will stand out because of the contrast between it and the other ads in the magazine. It is a refreshing break of style for the eye for the reader from the rest of the ads for seeds, glassware, clothing, growing etc.
2) Minimization of possible blowback; we don't want something grungy looking (from a Republican primary voter's standpoint) that they can flash up on CNN or Fox during a hitpiece. We are disarming the MSM trolls under the bridge before they have a chance. (there is no liability to the appearance of this ad, it is clean and presidential)
3) The ad is intended to activate a subset of readers; those who can be motivated to register and vote in their state's primary to vote for Dr. Paul. This subset of people does not need to be pandered to, they just need to be presented with the facts in a clear way. (not saying you are pandering, just that we don't need to dress up RP with an underground look, the message is powerful enough to stand on it's own) -- the question is not, what will appeal to High Times readers, but more acutely, what will appeal to High Times readers who will take the information, act on it, and tell their friends.
4) Many people who read cannabis mags do so in two ways, either both or either or -- a) they are reading somewhere where they are away from a computer, such as on a bus or at school etc... the ad gives them enough information on it's own where, after reading it, they are pretty informed already, enough to talk to other people about it, without yet even going to the website. b) They settle in and enjoy them like a warm bath, cover to cover -- we don't have to worry about grabbing their attention in a sensational way -- the very fact that a politician, not to mention a candidate for president (!), not to mention a Republican (!!) is advertising in "their" magazine is sensational enough to grab their interest.
If there is anything I left out that anyone still feels strongly about, please hit me again. The more people that we can make happy, the greater a chance we have of pulling this thing off!
btw, I kicked in $10 myself also, I will put in more as we keep rolling too
