Barack Obama's New Ad For Nevada

Comments

notice the women watching attentively at the beginning? see, women of Nevada?

Posted by mp | January 10, 2008 4:46 PM

This ad did not do it for me.

He starts off stating the problems we face, and then tell us how he wont use certain methods to solve these problems and ends with saying he wants to be president. He does not say how he will solve the problems stated or even indicate that he would. Also the quotations from the pundits made me laugh.

I think people get what he is about now. I feel like he is stuck on chapter one of his story. He needs to progress the narrative already.

Posted by buyproduct | January 10, 2008 5:04 PM

This is just a remix of an IA ad (and probably something like this ran in NH as well.) It's one piece of the puzzle, and it gets very positive responses, so it's a good campaign launch for voters in NV who may not have been paying attention. But the other side of the equation is that Obama needs to start taking lots more questions and re-launch all the excellent substance speeches he gave over the course 2007. He's young and charismatic enough that the "where's the beef" attack may stick even though Clinton cribbed from both Edwards and Obama, notably in rolling out her health care plan but in a host of other areas where she was last to lead as well.

Obama also needs to make this a debate about the starkly different visions of foreign policy between the two camps. I believe that's a debate that the party and the country desperately need to have, and a debate that he can win.

Finally, there needs to be a debate among democrats about the last 7 years. There's a lot of sentiment that there's no future but partisan infighting, and so we should hit back at the Republicans with Clinton, who admittedly drives them nuts. I would argue Democrats can and should take the high road and elevate the national discourse - not that we'll let ourselves be swiftboated again. A big majority gives us a lot more room to act, and I have a very hard time imagining Clinton with bigger coattails than Obama.

I see these as the key pre-Feb. 5 issues once all the gender and race garbage settles out over the next couple of days.

Posted by John M. | January 10, 2008 5:25 PM

He does not say how he will solve the problems stated or even indicate that he would.

Exactly. This guy's campaign people are tone deaf as shit. Terrible ad. Memo to Barrack: the fucking economy is melting down. Nobody cares whether or not Democrats can be convinced to stop bickering with Republicans. Most American adults own this device called a "TV remote control" and are capable of turning off the infernal contraption if they don't want to hear any more bickering. What a lot of them need, though, is a better job, a decent healthcare plan they can afford, and a tax code that doesn't screw them over just because they're last name isn't Rockefeller. They want deliverables. Thing is, Obama has some concrete plans, but somehow he doesn't ever talk about them. It's mystifying. I almost wonder if, deep down inside, he doesn't want the job (yet) and is instead angling for the VP slot. I think Obama's campaign will be listing badly by early February.

Posted by Jasper | January 10, 2008 5:34 PM

I disagree with you, Jasper. If this is the only ad that Obama runs in Nevada then you are right. But he needs a launch ad that emphasizes his honesty, optimism, and inclusiveness. If you follow places like politico.com, every indication from his campaign is that he'll give a bunch of speeches over the next two weeks that re-launch a lot of his positions on red meat issues. If this is the only approach taken over the next 3 weeks, though, you're definitely right.

Posted by John M. | January 10, 2008 6:37 PM

I think the significance of this ad is that Obama is reengaging Clinton- something he didn't do in the couple of days leading up to New Hampshire. I happen to love this ad, but I agree with John M, that he needs to start to show some practical implications of his lofty message.

Posted by Mike | January 10, 2008 7:31 PM

Dear Jasper,

John Kerry ran the campaign you seem to want. It sucked and he lost. You want people to reach for their "TV remote control"? Just load up your ads with wonkery and watch them click away. Television sucks for conveying detailed information, but it's wonderful for evoking emotional responses. It's about time the Democrats figured that out.

Posted by J.B. | January 11, 2008 12:19 AM

Sure, JB - and the media and those who are media-worshippers should figure out that choosing a President is more important than choosing American Idol.

Posted by bbln | January 11, 2008 2:06 AM

You want people to reach for their "TV remote control"? Just load up your ads with wonkery and watch them click away. Television sucks for conveying detailed information...

J.B.:Don't be absurd. You don't have to "load up your ads with wonkery" to hit a few strong themes. Indeed, you want to avoid details. You just want to make your point. Obama's point is that he can help us all get along. Hillary's point is that she'll make it easier to pay the bills. I know which one I care more about.

Posted by Jasper | January 11, 2008 12:25 PM

its a great ad, i loved it if u want to know where he stands on issues visit barackobama.com, its a one minute ad he cant have all the solutions on there, get real!

Posted by jacobs | January 13, 2008 5:54 PM