Watch: Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis want your vote in new 'Campaign' trailer

Take a break from real-life politics and instead cast your vote for who's funnier -- Will Ferrell or Zach Galifiankais. The two are co-starring in Jay Roach's upcoming "The Campaign," and the film's first trailer popped up online today. 

You've probably seen the faux campaign ads where both candidates sling some outrageous mud at one another, but the new trailer brings the film's storyline into focus. Cam Brady (Ferrell) is used to running unopposed for congress in his small district until one day, a strange, mustachioed little man challenges his seat. His opponent is Marty Huggins (Galifiankis) and thus begins one of the dirtiest campaigns in history -- in current political battleground North Carolina no less. 

A lot of folks have high hopes for the film, which has a chance to mercilessly satirize the circus that is American politics at a time when campaigns are at perhaps their most ludicrous, and its hard to believe some (most?) of the things that politicians say. Judging from the trailer, however, things are played as broad as possible -- including a hilarious gag at the end where Brady gives new meaning to the tradition of shaking hands and kissing babies.

Co-written by veteran Ferrell collaborator Chris Henchy ("Land of the Lost," "The Other Guys") and "Eastbound and Down" scribe Shawn Harwell, "Campaign" doesn't yet appear to be quite as edgy or as willfully crude as "Eastbound," but the trailer's laughs are plentiful enough. The film's lead role seems to be an amalgamation of Ferrell's cockiest characters, as if Ricky Bobby or Ron Burgundy decided to turn to politics.  

The film also stars Dylan McDermott, Jason Sudeikis, Brian Cox, John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd, although the supporting players are hardly seen in the trailer (if at all).

Roach, who's coming off the more serious political dissection of HBO's Sarah Palin movie "Game Change," is best known for "Meet the Parents" and its sequels, and the "Austin Powers" films. 

"The Campaign" opens nationwide August 10.

Who will you vote for in '012? What do you think of the trailer? Grade it at the top. 

Dave Lewis
Producer

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Dave Lewis has been a Los Angeles-based entertainment writer and editor for nearly ten years. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, he moved to L.A. in 1996 to attend USC, before working for various periodicals and web sites including a lengthy stint at Variety.com. He joined the HitFix staff in 2011.