Best political ad EVER

This ad is for Bridget Mary McCormack, a candidate for Michigan State Supreme Court. What makes this ad so great is that it features a reunion of the cast of The West Wing, one of my all-time favourite TV shows.

The point of the ad is get voters to pay attention to the non-partisan portion of the ballot, something that many voters skip over. In addition to voter education, the ad also makes it clear who they should vote for.

Neither the ad nor the campaign are about partisanship or party politics, which is proper. This is the most innovative advertising approach I’ve ever seen for voter education as well as non-partisan campaigning. It is absolutely brilliant.

There’s also a non-candidate PSA version of the ad, which includes a little more with Lily Tomlin and Martin Sheen , and shortens the scene in CJ's office.

What I liked about The West Wing is that it didn’t treat its audience like they were morons, and instead assumed that even complex or arcane subjects of law, history or politics could be explained and understood. This ad does the same thing (with some good-humoured jabs at the show). Judicial candidate Bridget Mary McCormack is the sister of actress Mary McCormack, who played Deputy National Security Adviser Kate Harper in 48 episodes of The West Wing 2004-2006.

We need more ads that can be entertaining and informative all at the same time. But this ad also kinda makes me wish I lived in Michigan so I could vote for Bridget Mary McCormack on the non-partisan ballot!