It started this summer, a wave of demented campaign ads that fell into the laps of lazy political bloggers like manna from heaven. Many went viral. But now the genre is killing itself by trying way too hard.

Four candidates in Tuesday's primary elections in Alabama created campaign ads that "went viral" on the internet, including the "Most American Thing Ever" guy, Dale Peterson. So, does it help your electoral chances to have blogs laugh at your ads?

Today, Gail Collins touches on the demented logic of those viral Alabama campaign ads. (Dale Peterson! Tim James!) Basically, if your ad is outlandish enough, no one will care that your candidate is equally ridiculous. Ugh, we helped those people.

Ladd Ehlinger Jr. is the conservative filmmaker behind that absurd advertisement for Alabama Agricultural Commission candidate Dale Peterson. He also makes weird, low-budget science fiction movies. One is a computer-animated adaptation of the book Flatland, starring Martin Sheen.

Maybe you remember Alabama gubernatorial candidate Tim James' flag-waving "We Speak English" ad. This spot from Republican Alabama Agricultural Commissioner candidate Dale Peterson makes James look like a gay Commie terrorist. Dramatic music! Guns! Horses! Drawling! God Bless America.