Obama's Television Ad: Take It Back

http://www.barackobama.com/takeitback.html

Lots to say about this third television ad of Barack Obama's, but for now, just know that it's remarkable how confidently Obama's wields his consensus-bipartisan message in front of partisan Democratic audiences. The ad begins tomorrow. The size and duration of the buy are unknown at this point.

OBAMA SYNC: I know that I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But, I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.

ANNCR V/O: In the Senate, Barack Obama challenged both parties to pass tough new ethics rules and rein in the power of lobbyists.

And he’s leading by example, refusing contributions from PACs and Washington lobbyists who have too much power today.

OBAMA SYNC: They think they own this government. But we're here today to take it back.

Comments

actually, it's his 3rd tv ad.

Posted by paperchaser | July 31, 2007 12:47 PM

Wasn't "we're taking it back" or "we're taking back America" Howard Dean's phrase?

Posted by Daddy Love | July 31, 2007 1:52 PM

I like that message. Especially when I heard John Edwards say it 4 years ago, and last year, and last month.

Posted by John Burns | July 31, 2007 2:35 PM

yeah, it's too bad john edwards didn't do anything about it while he actually was in a position to do so.

probably because john edwards received more corporate plane rides than any other senator while he was in washington.

Posted by John Doe | July 31, 2007 3:00 PM

Yeah I think Edwards' Youtubes are much better delivery of this message.

And by the way Edwards has never taken PAC or lobbyist money, Obama did in 2004.

Who's leading whom?

Posted by Edwards V2.0 | July 31, 2007 3:00 PM

The bipartisan bit of the message taps into the notion that both parties in Washington have problems, which is something partisan Democrats would probably agree with.

Posted by Nicholas Beaudrot | July 31, 2007 3:02 PM

Edward can spew his populist rhetoric all day every day 24/7, but he lost all credibility when he voted to authorize this god forsaken war for political points.

Who's leading whom? Why don't you ask some of the families who lost their sons and daughters because of this foolish President's (VP's) decision to go to war. Where was your leader who didn't even read the NIE? What a joke. The same goes for Hillary...I will never give credence to anyone who played politics with the lives of our servicemen.

John Edwards should drop out of this race, and spend more quality time with his wife.

Posted by sahmadi | July 31, 2007 4:09 PM

Sahmadi - thanks for revealing what a toad you really are. You should vote Republican with that attitude.

Posted by John Burns | July 31, 2007 7:30 PM

Its a good ad. As an Obama supporter, I'll take it.

Dean I think used to repeatedly say, "you have the power." Same idea but different phraseology. And Dean was doing pretty well with that. His personality was a little abrasive and he did shoot from the hip with some comments at times - I think those two things and questions of electability did him in. Four years ago it may have seemed like a safer tact to go with a better known candidate.

Posted by Paul | July 31, 2007 8:06 PM

It's not inappropriate for Obama to carry this message. Candidates that did not win often impacted the language and disposition of their parties. Many would say that Goldwater set the scene for Reagan by shaping conservatism. Even though Howard Dean lost the nomination, he left a very significant impact on Kerry's general election campaign, and no doubt this campaign.

But let's remember, Obama cites messages from countless presidents as well heh.

Posted by Jeff Morgan | July 31, 2007 8:27 PM

Please...if you look through the run up to any election at any level at any time in history, you will find the message we need change...it's what challengers do...

The seeming difference, so far at least, is that Obama has the charisma to make folks believe he can really achieve real change...at least it's worked on me...

He inspires me. He makes me think he'll look outside the box for new thinkers, new techniques.

We'll see if he can continue to inspire, but for the moment he's won my support.

Posted by G Davis | August 1, 2007 2:11 AM

LOL at all the Edwards supporters who think politics started in 2003. Yeah, nobody ever used phrases like that before! Nobody ever touted their outsider status as a positive in cleaning up Washington before! (*cough*JimmyCarter*cough*) Campaigns have never borrowed or flat-out stolen other campaigns messages/frames/ideas before!

As for Obama somehow being "new" to the notion of combating lobbyists, this was the guy who reimbursed those who gave him rides on private jets at the appropriate rate, rather than the much lower Senate-stipulated rate, and then disavowed such travel altogether, and then championed legislation to make that the norm. He's been working on lobbyist reform literally since he got to the U.S. Senate.

Posted by Michael | August 1, 2007 7:30 AM

What about John Edwards in direct funding from hedge funds ?

Posted by Arun Mehta | August 1, 2007 9:58 AM

Go Obama Go the man to beat.. I like that ad because he walk the talk, not just walk the walk like Hillary. Who has not track record.

Posted by Laomnt | August 1, 2007 8:01 PM