Beyond the (Opposite of) Pale

Advertising routinely washes out or darkens or basically makes to look bad the less preferred candidate or product, and gussies up the more preferred one. But this ad against Indian-American Iraq War vet Ashwin Madia (MN-03) goes way too far.

A Republican attack ad invites viewers to "meet the real Ashwin Madia," but the still photos featured in the spot present a noticeably darker version of the 3rd District DFL congressional candidate.

"At least three of the photos of Madia were obviously darkened, using one method or another," public affairs and media consultant Dean Alger told KARE 11.

Desaturation and darkening, as I said, is a standard tactic to make someone look spooky. Here it makes Madia look black. That's the desired effect.

I suppose this means that it is completely within bounds to do the same to potential 2012 GOP Presidential candidate Bobby Jindal?