Armed with nearly $3 million in contributions, almost double the amount raised by his opponent, Mr. Booker has flooded local cable channels with slick advertisements.

Back in October, slick political advertisements featuring Kinnock and Major began to appear on prime-time television, both men appealing to voters as centrist politicians who want a better break for all Britons.

But the collection seemed more a slick advertisement for the thoroughbred life than an authentic rendition of it.

Extending their logic to other activities, the Government may as well sell cocaine, encourage cocaine use with slick advertisements, put the profits into the Treasury, and quit fretting about the excessive use of drugs by a minority of the populace.

It puts a premium on fund-raising, slick advertisements and chumminess with clubhouse pols.

And the election that ended last week with Mr. Yeltsin's convincing victory over Mr. Zyuganov - replete with its campaign posters, party hats and slick advertisements - seemed on the surface about as American as they come.

Mr. Scott called the strong earnings a reaffirmation of the company's low-price message, which the retailer strayed from during the first half of 2006, when it developed slick advertisements to reach out to shoppers who buy their clothing and furniture at Wal-Mart's more upscale rivals like Target and J. C. Penney.

One of the slick advertisements run by the gun lobby recently features a woman's twisted locket.

It will be difficult to reverse consumer sentiment unless people find a reason to spend more for a fancy box, slick advertisements or chintzy plastic toys.

Until recently, the pro-use messages from slick advertisements and promotions have been the only information directed at the community.