In New TV Ad, Obama Asks Iowans to Believe

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: September 19, 2007
New Ad: Obama Asks Iowans to Believe
By Jeff Zeleny

Senator Barack Obama is going on the air today with a new 60-second television commercial in Iowa, talking directly to the camera as he makes his case to voters about the kind of not-from-Washington experience he brings to the race. The ad, titled “Believe,” is a synopsis of the argument Mr. Obama has been making on the campaign trail since Labor Day. The spot, which arrived at television stations Tuesday, will be seen with greater frequency than others by Mr. Obama. By stepping up the ad buy, the campaign hopes to shake up what many Democrats believe is a fairly static, three-way race in Iowa.

The commercial, for the first time, features Mr. Obama looking directly into the camera, speaking directly to voters. There is no music or footage from campaign rallies and no mention of his rivals. Before it is released later today, here is an early look at a few lines from the script:

“Every time I speak about my hope for America, the cynics in Washington roll their eyes. You see, they don’t believe we can actually change politics and bring an end to decades of division and deadlock. They don’t believe we can limit the power of lobbyists who block our progress, or that we can trust the American people with the truth. And that’s why we face the same problems and hear the same promises every four years. My experience tells me something very different.”

Before closing the ad, the camera draws closer as he reminds voters that he “defied the politics of the moment, and opposed the war in Iraq before it began.”

For now, the ad is only expected to be broadcast in Iowa. Watch for it to expand to other early-voting states in the weeks to come.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/new-ad-obama-asks-iowans-to-believe/index.html?hp

LINK TO VIEW AD: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/iowabelievead

[Colobo]

1. They should believe indeed!

[zanne]

4. This add made me think of something...

What, exactly, is the downside to hope? What is the risk? As long as it isn't wide-eyed, Pollyanna hope, why are we so afraid of it? I started volunteering for the Obama campaign in NH last spring, hoping I wouldn't get burned out. As time goes on, I'm spending more time volunteering and instead of being burned out, I'm revved up. Are we afraid of being disappointed again? Well, what's the alternative?

[youthere]

2. Ah..hope. Dare I?

[zanne]

3. I'm responding to a dupe, but I'll say it again....

He gives this old cynic hope!

[Kelly Rupert]

5. I'd like to believe that Sen. Obama might someday

take a few detailed policy stances, or might cast a few votes, which are actually different from those of Sen. Clinton.

[hedgehog]

6. So, you're saying Obama should vote with the Republicans?

When the choice is yea or nay, there isn't much room for nuance. I ask you to consider this question: given the chance to set the agenda, don't you think that Obama would set different priorities and goals than Clinton?