Archives: February 2008
02.29.08 "Voices" & "Opportunidad" Up in Texas
"Voices" is a spot that highlights Obama's opposition to lobbyists, including his campaign's refusal to accept PAC money. It also mentions his ethics reform efforts in the senate.They [lobbyists] will not drown out the voices of the American people.
"Opportunidad" is a Spanish-language spot about expanding education access. Sorry, but that's as far as my Spanish takes me.
The spots after the jump.
02.29.08 2 Minutes of Air Time for Obama in Ohio & Texas
On Monday, right before the Super Tuesday Take 2 primaries, Obama will be up all across Ohio and Texas (yes, every market) with 2 minutes of air time. The ads, as yet unknown, will run on during the local news at 5pm, 6pm, 10pm and 11pm.02.29.08 "Children"
This is essentially the Clinton campaign's version of the "Wolves" ad that the Bush campaign ran in '04 against John Kerry. It is decidedly milder, but in the same vein. It's dark. It's scary. The message is that you need protection from the evil that lurks in the night/world. Who do you want answering that call for help in the Bat Cave/White House? See for yourself:"Children"
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"Wolves"
02.29.08 One of a Million by Clinton
In this Texas spot, which is certainly one of the more creative and engaging of her spots this cycle, lots of women are shown stating, in quick cut-away succession, one line versions of the quotes below."I'm one a million."
"I'm not a movement."
"We need solutions that will help me and help my family."
The spot itself after the jump.
02.29.08 "This One's For Ann"
With the Ken Burns' Civil War-esque piano slowly playing in the background and a young woman's narration, this profile/endorsement of late Gov. Ann Richards reminds women voters of their opportunity/responsibility to "make history."Today Ann would be asking all of us to make a statement ... to make history
The spot itself after the jump.
02.29.08 "Jobs" Radio Spot in Ohio
Lots of Ohioan voices touting her middle-class economic bona fides in this one minute radio spot in Ohio."We need jobs very badly in Ohio."
"Clinton can and will turn this economy around"
Key Takeway:"She's gonna bring jobs back here to Ohio."
Listen to the mp3.
02.29.08 "Faith" Radio Spot in Ohio
This is another Gov. Strickland for Clinton spot. This radio spot is up on Ohio radio right now. It's a one minute spot.Driven by deeply felt values ... understands Ohio very deeply
Listen to the mp3.
02.29.08 "Fighter" in Ohio for Clinton
Gov. Strickland of Ohio lends his help to the Clinton campaign in this spot, airing now in Ohio. It's a middle-class economic struggles spot that touts her having "plans" and "values."We need a President first of all who's going to be a fighter.
The spot after the jump.
02.27.08 "Quiet" In Cincy
"Quiet" spot by Obama camp is airing the Cincinnati market right now. It originally aired in New Hampshire and tells the story of Obama going to a group of auto execs in Detroit and telling them that fuel efficiency standards need raised. The room got quiet.We can't just tell people what they want to hear. We need to tell them what they need to hear.
The spot after the jump.
02.27.08 SEIU Pro-Obama Ads
SEIU (Service Employees International Union) will be spending $5 million to support Obama. Here's their first two ads.The first is "What We Need":
The second spot (in Spanish) "Cambio":
02.27.08 Level by the Clinton Campaign in OH & TX
Level is a middle-class economic spot that is typical of the Clinton campaign's ads. It isn't flashy, but it does the job, so to speak. I thought I'd put up both the Ohio version and the Texas version to show how minor modifications to a spot can localize it, allowing the campaign to reuse an ad while still doing Mark Penn's microtargeting.It's time to level the playing field.
Both spots after the jump.
02.24.08 Ohio Obama Spots
The Obama campaign is running 5 spots right now in Ohio. They are:"Enough": "Enough" is his 'economic woes of the working man' spot that has him saying "Enough is enough" to plants closing, jobs going overseas & executive pay.
"Choices": "Choices" focuses on his biography, hammering home the judgement & character themes.
"Join": He runs this everywhere. It's an upbeat spot with a very youth voter feel to it.
"Need": In this spot, Obama outlines (slides included) his economic plan for the middle class. For an Obama ad, this is wonky.
"Mother": "Mother" is his health-care spot through the eyes of Obama's dying-with-cancer mother who still had to worry about health care bills.
The spots after the jump.
02.24.08 Texas Spots for Obama
Obama is up with 6 spots in Texas."Join" is there, of course, introducing the candidate, as are "Enough", "Chances I Had", "Como Padre", "Moment" & "Mother".
The unique one here is the Spanish-language "Como Padre". I've not seen an English translation of this, but it does include a Spanish-speaking Obama. Note: In the real world, Obama does not in fact speak Spanish.
"Moment" aka "Our Moment Is Now" is toned down somewhat from earlier versions and features a half-dozen or so endorsement messages from local and national papers, and "Mother" is his health-care spot through the eyes of Obama's dying-with-cancer mother who still had to worry about health care bills.
"Chances I Had" is an education focused spot that also introduces Obama as a child who, in spite of a missing father and not much money, wound up with a great education. It mentions the need for education improvements and parental responsibility in turning off the Tube, which they are, of course, watching during this commercial.
"Enough" is his 'economic woes of the working man' spot that has him saying "Enough is enough" to plants closing, jobs going overseas & executive pay.
The spots themselves after the jump.
02.24.08 Rhode Island Obama Spots
The Obama camp is up with 3 ads in Rhode Island.First is the ubiquitous "Join" spot that introduces the Illinois Senator to the public.
"Choices" is biographical, again aimed at introductions, but also giving the viewer a sense of the candidate's character and judgment.
"Mother" is another biographical spot. It's a health-care ad, using his mother's fight against cancer health-care bills as its narrative thrust.
The spots themselves after the jump.
02.24.08 Vermont Obama Ads
The Obama campaign is running 3 ads in Vermont in the run up to March 4th."Join" is a common introductory ad they use in most (if not all) states.
He's also up with "President" and "Moment"/"Our Moment Is Now".
"President" is currently only running in Vermont, and is a spot derived from his stump speech. It's a series of "I'll be a President who ..." proclamations.
"Moment" is also running in Ohio & Texas, but not in Rhode Island. It's a youth-vote targeted spot.
The spots themselves after the jump.
02.24.08 Join (re)Running in Vermont
This excellent spot is filled with cheering crowds, an upbeat drumming, and lines like "The world as it is is not the world as it has to be." This spot is filled with energy, optimism and excitement, clearly aiming at a young (at heart) demographic.02.24.08 Our Moment is Now Rerunning in Vermont
This Obama spot, airing in Vermont now, is a rerun of a well done spot originally airing in Iowa.I want to be the President of the United States of America!
02.24.08 Need
In this well-done Wisconsin spot, Obama outlines (slides included) his economic plan for the middle class.02.23.08 Leader
This Wisconsin spot by the Obama campaign is strongly biographical. The message is 'I am a leader'I'm running to solve the problems we talk about year after year after year
I'm not a perfect man, and I won't be a perfect President
02.23.08 Desperate
Unlike most Obama ads, this spot uses a narrator. It is a response to both the Clinton campaign's debate spot and charges of empty rhetoric. It ran in Wisconsin.It's the same old politics
02.23.08 Listening
This Wisconsin ad from the Obama campaign is strongly anti-lobbyist.Your future is our future! And our moment is now!
02.23.08 Enough
This Obama campaign spot from Wisconsin talks jobs and outsourcing.Enough is enough!
02.23.08 Join
An upbeat Obama campaign spot from Wisconsin. Great ad. It has a very youth voter feel to it.The world as it is is not the world as it has to be.
02.23.08 Debate
The Obama campaign put this spot out in response to the Clinton campaign's ad about the debates. So, it's an ad about an ad.02.23.08 Mother
Obama campaign ad from Wisconsin. This is another biographical spot. This one features his mother.02.23.08 Choices
Ohio ad from the Obama campaign focusing on his biography. Hammering home the judgement & character themes.I am my brother's keeper. I am my sister's keeper.
02.23.08 UNITE HERE Negative Radio Ad in Spanish
Here's the audio, courtesy of CBS NewsThe Spanish transcript of the ad:
Hillary Clinton no respeta a nuestra gente los partidarios de Hillary Clinton fueron a corte para evitar que la gente que trabaja pueda votar este sábado, eso es vergonzoso. Los partidarios de Hillary Clinton quieren evitar que la gente que trabaja el sábado pueda votar en sus lugares de empleo. ¡Imperdonable! Hillary Clinton no tiene vergüenza.
Hillary Clinton no debería permitir que sus amigos ataquen el derecho de nuestra gente de votar este sábado. Es imperdonable! No hay respeto el senador Barack Obama esta defendiendo nuestro derecho de votar.
El senador Barack Obama quiere nuestros votos, el respeta nuestros votos, nuestra comunidad y a nuestra gente. El lema de la campaña de Barrack Obama es “sí se puede, si se puede”. Vote por un presidente que nos respeta y respeta nuestro derecho de votar. Obama para presidente. Si se puede.
Pagada por UNITE HERE.
And the CBS News English translation:
Hillary Clinton does not respect our people. Hillary Clinton supporters went to court to prevent working people to vote this Saturday — that is an embarrassment.
Hillary Clinton supporters want to prevent people from voting in their workplace on Saturday. This is unforgivable. Hillary Clinton is shameless. Hillary Clinton should not allow her friends to attack our people’s right to vote this Saturday. This is unforgivable; there’s no respect
Sen. Obama is defending our right to vote. Sen. Obama wants our votes. He respects our votes, our community, and our people.
Sen. Obama’s campaign slogan is “Si Se Puede” (“Yes We Can”). Vote for a president that respects us, and that respects our right to vote. Obama for president, “Si Se Puede” (“Yes We Can”).
Paid for by UNITE HERE Campaign Committee
02.23.08 Our Moment is Now
Iowa Obama campaign ad featuring portions of his famous Jefferson-Jackson speech:02.23.08 Late Deciders
Right before the Iowa Caucuses.After seeing Hillary in person, these Iowans are convinced: they're caucusing for Hillary.
02.23.08 Crossroads
On the eve of the New Hampshire Primary, this was a nice soft tone with direct to viewer straight talk."Thank you New Hampshire, for welcoming me into your homes and hearts. And when you vote, I hope you'll ask one question: Who is ready to be president on day one?"
02.23.08 Listen
Following the New Hampshire comebackI found my own voice
"This campaign is about people, about making a difference in your lives. It's time we had a president who stands up for all of you."
02.23.08 Voices
Nice touch with this spot. It humanizes her more than her usual spots do. Mommy Clinton."In this troubled economy, how can so many millions of people simply not be heard? If I'm your president, I will bring your voice to the White House."
02.23.08 Chelsea and America Ferrera
Chelsea & America campaigning in Nevada answering questions about the upcoming caucuses.Key Chelsea takeaway, while speaking with America:
Oh! You're so inspired! ... I keep thinking I can't like be more proud of my mom, but I like get more proud of my mom.
02.23.08 Falling Through
Another Clinton message on the economy for the middle-class.The oil companies, the insurance companies, the drug companies have had a president stand for them for seven years. Hillary will stand for all of us.
02.23.08 Serious
Clinton campaign's Green Energy commercialHillary will end our dependence on foreign oil with a plan that invests in alternative energy and takes away the tax subsidies from oil companies.
02.23.08 Warned
Another middle-class economic message. This one focuses on foreclosures.We need more than talk. We need solutions.
Our economy is in trouble. And while George Bush helps his friends, the middle class gets slammed. We need more than talk -- we need solutions.
02.23.08 Nuestra Amiga
A Spanish-language Clinton ad. I don't speak Spanish, but here's a Google translation of a quote:"Our Friend" says Hillary is the candidate who understands both
The Latino community, as the problems facing - lack of
Health care, economic crisis and the high cost of living
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02.23.08 Lifetime
This is a great commercial. It's human and would be a great theme for the campaign to run on."What I try to do every day is figure out how to help somebody. And that's what I will do as president."
02.23.08 Times
The New York Times endorsement spot for Clinton."hugely impressed by the depth of her knowledge."
02.23.08 Can Do
Hillary Can Do It With Experience is the message here:Americans still have that can-do spirit. We know you can't solve economic problems with political promises.
02.23.08 Bobby
wmode="transparent" data="/content/video/flvplayer.swf?file=/content/media/ad_20080201_bobby-1.flv&autoStart=false">02.23.08 Dignity
Bobby Kennedy Jr. is featured in this ad, which is a counter to the rather more well known Obama-backing Kennedys.Today, Hillary Clinton is the champion of the voiceless in our society
02.23.08 Debate
The Clinton campaign's Wisconsin debate ad:Maybe he'd prefer to give speeches than have to answer questions
02.23.08 3 New Clinton Ads Air Today
First up is a Texas-toned ad (note the hay bales):Talk doesn't cut it
The second spot tackles middle-class worries with a promise by Clinton to "level the playing field" against special interests. It's Ohio manufacturing all the way, although this Pennsylvania-boy hears echoes of Rocky in the music:
The third ad is all Ohio, featuring NASA legend John Glenn: