(One thing I've noticed: you can't tease the Obama team about it. I tried. They take it very very seriously. A lot of folks worked hard on it, yes, but television commercials with musical soundtracks are inherently amusing. Even when they're not supposed to be.)
Production values: A+. The cut to the live Florida remote was Roger Goodman-flawless.
Content: I have my opinion about it...
What did you think?
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Much better than I expected. Very, very good. The stories were amazing. Since I've heard all his plans, they weren't that 'exciting' to me, but if people didn't know his plans, they now now. Done very well. 
Which part was live? I would guess at the end but I didn't notice it. It was a good ad overall, you just can't beat a chance to get your message out to as many people as possible, including many who either weren't familiar with it or have been told of doomsday scenarios by the republicans.
Obama is giving a reason for Americans to vote for him and his policy proposals. John McCain is not giving you a reason to vote for him. Rather than explain is his policy proposals, he focuses on Obama and why you should not vote for him.
I thought they were restrained and focused on Obama's message, completely ignoring McCain and his campaign. The half hour was set clearly - Obama's take on issue after issue. I was truly moved by the lady with arthritic fingers.
Do you think the McCain people had a sinking feeling while watching that half hour unfold? You betcha!
It was good, the segment about his mom should have been further up front, after the jobs part. Very, very powerful and you want to catch maximum voter eyeballs. I'm guessing you had some change the channel after a while. Though, I was surprised at how easy it flowed, didn't feel like a half hour.
This ain't John Kerry.
Pitch perfect. It wasn't meant to address any charges against him, or compare him to McCain. It was a direct address to people who like him (the polish, the GOTV hit at the end), and more specifically an unspoken hit against the "who IS Obama anyways, we don't know him!" thing. It was a half hour "this is me, these are stories that matter, and this is how I'm like everyone else, and this is what I'll do". He hit it perfectly. If it moves anyone is something else to be seen.
Effective and deliberate. The McCain campaign is trying to paint him as a radilcal, and this makes their task that much harder.
It felt way too much like an infomercial to me, in production and style. I'd have much rather heard him give a speech rather than have the music stirring and the 'just folks' on screen. Risky thing for him to do, this close to the election, I think.
Unusual combination of cheezy and awesome. They don't often go together. Kind of over the top, but appealing to lower-info voters. Perfect for them. Loved the cut to live; flawless.
I'm waiting for John McCain to show up on Larry King and say "I'm voting for Barack Obama."
I thought it was excellent, and certianly much better than I expected. The story of the arthritic woman was truly moving, and the ad moved seamlessly from segment to segment. Indeed, I thought the worst part was the live portion at the end. You have to admire the restraint it took the Obama peope not to include even one negative line in a full half hour of network television. It was on message, crisp, clear, and optimistic. I'll be interested to learn how many people watched it. I think it would be hard to come away from the ad with anything other than warm feelings and a positive impression about Obama.
Did you notice that these last few months Obama has been promising to lower taxes for people who make $250,000 or less. In the infomercial he changed it to $200,000 or less, what happened to that $50,000? Other than that it was technicaly very well done.
When I initially heard about this 30 minute commercial I cringed because I thought it might be a big mistake. But I ended up watching it and was surprised at how quickly a half hour passed. It was a very well done piece - it was very positive in outlook and sometimes very uplifting. It was not like the McCain/Palin commercials which are completely negative.
It was definitely an emotional appeal in a lot of ways. I also took definite note of the fact that they made a lot of immediate cuts back and forth between Obama discussing his policy talking points in litany to the camera with shots of Obama knee-deep in town-hall-looking venues, interspersed between deeply personal and emotional vignettes of side-tracked American dreams. I think they really wanted to put Obama conversing with certain demographics of the U.S. populace right next to his policy arguments. As if the design precept that proximity implies relationship can be transposed to politics... Does it work that way?
One thought I've had: how do you reach all the people who've gone to all the rallies? All the people who said they'd vote early? The ones who said they'd get other people to vote too? You give them this half hour, remembering what they've experienced with this man and this campaign. Even if it doesn't get the undecideds to decide, it gets the movement moving the weekend before election day. I'd say that was worth the money right there. Plus, it's beautiful.
you know...he was not my candidate...he still believes America should rule the world...and I believe he has the right combination of empathy, backbone and intellect to be a leader that makes a difference. I am more hopeful for the world that my son will inherit.
The wheat blew me away!!!
other Bob: I think the answer is: He will lower taxes if you make less than $200,000. If you make between $200,000 and $250,000 no change. Above $250,000, then you get a hike.
Bob, I believe people who make 0-200 000 will see a tax cut, people who make 200 000-250 000 will see no tax change up or down, and those who make greater than 250 000 will see an increase. Sometimes it gets muddled. He generally says "If you make less than 250 000 you will not see a dime of tax increase". Which, as per above, is true.
Brilliant--maybe some moments where the soundtrack milked the emotion a bit much, but beautifully done--from the opening shot of the waving golden wheat (hints of "America the Beautiful"). Patriotic multi-hued Americans in the opening sequence were very effective--and the whole thing positive, from start to finish. Yes, we're going through hard times, but we're in this together -- liked the message & hope it inspired many to work hard the next few days, because there is so much at stake. The contrast in visions of America between Obama/Biden & McCain/Palin couldn't be starker & frankly, I want to live in Obama's America--the one where there are diverse people, who may not always agree, but who can find ways to work together & achieve great things.
As a woman who was for Obama but not that enthusiastic about him...that ad moved me , if they were targeting women...they did a hell of a job, and I loved that they never went negative.
In response to Bob at 8:57 PM, Obama has been saying "if you make $250K or less, your taxes will not go up a dime." People making between $200 and $250K will see no tax cuts; they go to people making less than $200K. That's been the Obama plan for a long time. As for the ad, I worried it would be too slick. It wasn't. I thought it made the case extraordinarily effectively to the baseball fans and other folks in the swing states who have not yet decided. For those who are only now beginning to think seriously about their vote, or who are giving fresh thought to voting for Obama, then those 30 minutes seemed flawless.
Bob - He's been misstating it, basically. In fact, any working family with children that makes >$250,000 will get a tax increase, as will any single person making >$200,000.
I thought he rocked it. I was worried it'd be cringe-worthy but they put a lot of thought into it and it was the kind of hooky that everyone comments on but loves: like Charlie Brown's halloween special. I think it's a great way to remind people to vote, I think it'll help shore up any soft support he has, and I think it'll bump him up in the polls like the Berlin speech did at a time when he's sorta getting stagnent. It came at the perfect time and it was great overall: I would have gone into universal health care speil after that couple w/the 72 year old working and wife taking 12 pills instead of energy and the $200,000 thing is something he'll have to explain and they'll pounce on unnecessarily. But it was great overall. Did the job. -Rhoda
Ehhh. I am the biggest Obama supporter there is but I wasn't real impressed. Nothing here I haven't seen before. (I mean for that much money, he'd better have a perfect transition from tape to live TV right?) My wife on the other hand was near tears in emotion, so it may have hit home for some. But isn't the point this: Every minute that they show Obama around white people (be it his family or people on the campaign or whatever), the less people see him as a baby killing muslim alien born in Kenya. That alone may have been worth the money spent given the Obama=Muslim Socialist angle being pushed by Team McCain. From that perspective, it was probably well worth the money. Sad but probably true.
we were at the rally in sunrise and he was speaking and then seamlessly it was live on the air amazing --- he has to win
200,000 if for singles, 250,000 for married couples filing jointly.
The thirty minutes went by far too quickly and before I was really ready for them to end. I noticed the RFK name on the school shown briefly and thought how much Obama's message—his recognition of the fact that government can't do everything, that families are responsible for providing "values" to their children, etc., doesn't mean government can't also provide necessary assistance—is like that of Bobby Kennedy. No negativity, no "contrast" with McCain, except by implication. Please God, let this man, Barack Obama, be our president.
"The contrast in visions of America between Obama/Biden & McCain/Palin couldn't be starker & frankly, I want to live in Obama's America--the one where there are diverse people, who may not always agree, but who can find ways to work together & achieve great things." rp -- Very nicely put. I agree. Plus according to McCain/Palin I don't live in "real America" anyway. I'm tired of the negatively of the politics on the right. The pundits on Fox News who just constantly yell and argue with their "guests" and the snipping and sarcasam from those who have been in power the majority the past decade and totally screwed the pooch. Give me hope, give me change, give me the whole of America back. Small towns and Godless cities both. I really hope for a landslide so they'll have to shut the F up. At least for a day or two.
Mark, I hope you give us your opinion too...as for me, I was worried about it all day. Pretty sure it was going to be too much. I was relieved that it did not go over the top. It was cool, calm and collected just like Obama is. I hope it was widely viewed because he made the case for himself tonight without a doubt: this is the man for this moment in history. No doubt about it! And, I'll admit, I was sniffing at the end. Oy.
Yum Yum.... This is the man I want for President.It has to happen. Still having tears here....
Just like in the old Soviet Union. If Ronald Reagan had been the ruler of the old Soviet Union.
(I'm curious. What did you say to tease them, and how did they respond?) I agree with A+ production values. I think it would have been a little more effective with policy detail following each of the the little vignette's into people's lives, such as detailing exactly how much they'd save on their taxes with Obama's tax policy. I kept waiting for that level of detail, and it never really came. And that quaility exemplifies really the only thing that's bothered me all along about the conduct of the Obama campaign: the tendency toward feel-good vagueness. I hope they know what they're doing with this tactic, and anyway it's still worlds better than any of the tactics of the McCain campaign.
Like some others, I was a little worried about this idea but I really liked it. Hokey but not too much. Entertaining. And just brilliant at showing the real Obama instead of the boogey man. I could have done without the cut to live at the end - I'm not sure that came across all that well as the crowd seemed a little flat - but that's a minor quibble.
Masterclass!
It was very well done from the blowing amber waves, through the personal stories about him, the numerous stories of regular people across the nation, going thru all the points to explain what he wants to CHANGE, the testimonials of leaders, and all the way thru to the live feed in FL. He helped his base with this, 'cause who isn't getting nervous? He asked us to help him over the finish line! And if anyone really is undecided, maybe he chipped away at that too. I think it was partly to help the nation see him as the president. If a desk, chair, and flag represents the oval office...he was in it.
Why won't you share your opinion with us?
I thought it was funny on Fox--at least in Iowa, though I suspect it may have been a national ad--Obama's half hour ad was prefaced (with one non-Obama commercial in between) by a thirty-second spot saying, "At a time so serious as this, John McCain is just 'messing around with audiotape.'" It acknowledged the attacks, laughed them off, made McCain look desperate, and then looked presidential for a half hour in front of a captive audience. Axelrod's moved beyond Rove's "direct mail," folks. Welcome to the sleeper campaign that upped the ante for the foreseeable future of POTUS cycles.
what's so interesting about this infomercial thing is that it's never been done before. think about that. noone has ever done anything like this before. but i bet that it becomes a standard practice of presidential campaigns. as for the rest, obama's great, the republicans definitely need a lengthy time-out, and given the opportunity, anyone can spin their story in a way that makes it sound good. but it's fascinating how unabashedly progressive the whole thing is, even amidst these inane socialism attacks. they know they've got a winning formula here, and they know that it's coming down to turnout. one imagines that had john mccain had the same opportunity, at least 25% of the time would have been devoted to discrediting his democratic opponent. there's a sense in which obama has run the very first 21st century campaign. not only because of all the innovations in connecting people, and fundraising and all that; in the larger themes, the 'managed decline of the american empire' sort of things, obama and his campaign just speak to a very large group of people who realise that we really have moved very far beyond the world with which our parents, and more importantly their parents, were familiar. by the way, thanks marc for the great work. this is a fantastic blog.
The infomercial was a microcosm of the campaign: well-executed, highly-polished, yet cautious and safe. Nothing new for anyone who has been paying a bit of attention. I'm guessing it was aimed at undecided voters who have yet to seriously tune in to the campaign and, to a lesser extent, strong Obama supporters looking for an emotional boost. No harm done, but did ti do any good?
Somber, real, a complete contradiction to anything McCain has said about Obama. It showed that Obama gets it, he gets what average Americans go through. I watched the Peter Hart focus group on Cspan and was struck how all the participants, even the Obama supporters, had extreme negative views of Michelle Obama, so I am glad his family was included. I didn't know what to expect, or how much I would like this, but I don't think it could have gone any better.
I thought the production was great. Looked great on HD. The stories were uplifting. Contrast the tone with McCain's dark and pessimistic commercials. I grew up in the working class and I connected intensely with working folks struggling to make ends meet. I'm a conservative voting for Obama, see my reason for voting:
Perfect tone and placement. Perhaps a bit of overkill, but it certainly doesn't hurt Obama. Instead, another news cycle won, and with only 5 more left, McCain has to look at this and cringe.
Overall, I liked it, but thought it was a little over-done at times. I think the only way that it will turn people away is if they only think about the idea of doing an 'infomercial' and not any of the substance or the message in it. I was watching on MNSBC, and I have to say that what Chris Matthews said afterward was really interesting. Paraphrasing: What more do the 'on the fence' people want from him? What possibly more can he do to convince people to vote for him? Obama embodies the American story. I just can't wait until we know the results! I early voted today!! woohoo!
I didn't try to watch; this wasn't aimed at me. Seems to have worked on those who weren't paying much attention at the time of the conventions--the true target audience for a Dem Convo redux.
The critique of "not enough detail" at this point in the campaign amazes me - simply amazes me. Chris Matthews I think said it best: What else do you want from the guy?? He offered vision - and policy (in broad outline) situated within a vision. Details? They are on the website. Details?? Get a rerun of the Perot 30 minutes. Often when I hear "not enough details" I think: If you don't vote for him, don't. It's a free country. But don't make up reasons not to. Also: I was disappointed with the MSNBC (except, surprisingly, Matthews)kind of postmoderny/production "quality"/impact analysis. Would it have hurt to talk about the women's lives shared in the film?? The incredibly moving portrait of 2 people living out their lives together - one taking 12 medications a day while the other works at Wal-Mart (72 years old, right?). It is as if the lives themselves didn't matter with the talking heads, and that's so very, very sad. So whatever opinion is expressed here by Armbinder (sp), I hope that a small paragraph (a couple of sentences) is devoted to the actual people introduced to us - and who shared their lives with us in the film. Cleverness can be overkill itself in the face of real struggle...
I think it was dull. I'm sorry, an infomercial is an infomercial, even when I like the product.
In my opinion, having been an Obamamaniac who furiously wrote letters to Barack Obama in 2006 urging him to run, it's Prematurely Grey who really understood maybe the most important aspect of the ad. It absolutely reminded me again my own emotional attachment to the movement that Senator Obama has sparked. A lot of my formative political experiences have involved Barack Obama and watching the ad just made me realize the depth to which that is true for me.
I'm scared because all of you believe this platform is the way out of our tough times. It is too good to be true. Wake up and realize that the world is in fact a cruel place and that the strong survive. Get off of the cloud. McCain is not perfect but he is a realist and not an idealist. Al Gore was an idealist as well. So was Jimmy Carter. I like the ideals but they cannot be a practical political platform. Obama has so many people in a trance believing that the world doesn't need to be so cruel. But it is.
I called in the first 15 minutes so I got 3 for the price of 1. Hillary set the standard with her 1 hour live town hall on the hallmark channel. obama didn't meet it.
Emailed this then realized that comments are enabled (read through an RSS reader): Well, la di da . . . You may be quite sophisticated in terms of your documentary tastes. But most of us aren't. Okay, I should be quite sophisticated and beyond being emotionally tugged by swelling music. I went to Harvard. I watch Peter Greenaway. But, gosh darnit, sometimes some good swelling background music just gets to me, makes me tear up, makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside. And I would suggest that most people are probably of the same ilk. Yes, you might want to make fun of the music. But music provides the soundtrack to life, affects our emotions and shapes our perceptions. So, maybe the Obama campaign wasn't aiming at you. Maybe it was aiming at middle America. Hmm . . .
I am so sick of anger and divisiveness. I'm sick of "baby killer" and "redistributionist" and "socialist" and "Muslim" and "Arab" as slurs. So this hit the right tone with me because he didn't even try to rebut that stuff, he just went with the positive. I live in Illinois and have supported Obama since he ran for the senate. John McCain says Americans are ANGRY but I think many are just tired of the cultural wars. Obama's upbeat and unifying theme has to be part of the appeal.
I'm scared because all of you believe this platform is the way out of our tough times. It is too good to be true. Wake up and realize that the world is in fact a cruel place and that the strong survive. Get off of the cloud. Never got on the cloud. Do not believe the platform is a be-all or an end-all, but I do believe it's a start - and that it's aimed at solving real problems, rather than simply continuing a set of policies that have demonstrably failed. As for the ad, it was over produced, schmaltzy at times and was just about pitch perfect. It was meant to close the sale - lay out the facts, build a relationship, give the customer a reason to want what you're selling. It was big, it was positive, it emphasized hope.
This man has an amazing "wow" factor.
I'm an registered independent. When all this campaigning started, I was for McCain in the primaries (GOP ticket) and Hillary (Dems). Happy to see McCain get the primary nod. Got really interested in the Dem primary with the debates. Impressed by Obama but still kinda blase' about the whole thing. Impressed when Obama won the primaries. The first excitement I felt about this campaign was watching the DNC. It was amazing. It's the first time I've ever felt like the Dem. party was a cohesive party, with voices and representation for everyone... every background, every class, every race, etc. I watched the RNC, and I was horrified. The tone was completely different and Palin managed to make me cringe 4 or 5 times. I think my reaction would have been different if McCain had chosen someone like Bloomberg for his running mate, or Hagel. I was also disappointed that the audience didn't reflect the diversity of our country... watching the campaign for the past two months I've pulled further and further away - they frighten me. Watching this tonight made me excited. It made me feel involved and like hey, I could have a president who cares about doing great things, who spells out his policies, and actually recognizes the broad aspects and differences that make our country great. Sure, it was cheesy but I dunno, I felt like I needed a little cheese lol. It was just so darn positive! My boyfriend, who is a huge obama critic was moved (he's never moved). We tivo'd it and he replayed it because it really had an impact on him. I'm tired of the negativity on the campaign trail and I'm sick of hearing the hatred that's been bubbling up to the surface of the McCain-Palin campaign. I can't turn on the tv without hearing them ranting about being a socialist terrorist... and hearing a surrogate today say that "there's nothing in the constitution about equality" just made me shake my head. So yea, I want change and I want hope. I'm a realist too so I know it won't be all sunshine and roses... but to actually have a candidate who wants to try to do something different and give more people opportunities... that's refreshing.
Obama is never a disappointment the infomercial was very inspiring it's great to hear his views and his plans for the country unlike McCain who all we ever hear talk about is his general dislike of Obama. If we ever want a country where we benefit from our government we have to take a stand and support Barrack Obama because if we do not things will not only get worse but the worst thing is we will only have ourselves to blame due to the fact that we have the chance right now to make our lives and other people lives better. God bless America and all the other countries and God please bless this election.
I am bias. I already voted for Obama, My wife has as well and tonight I spent two hours waiting in line with my 18 year old daughter so she could cast her vote. With that said I can honestly say this program exceeded my expectations. I know there will be many who will tear this apart, I can't wait to see how they attempt to do that.
Content: I have my opinion about it... And you're concealing it because.......?
Fancy shmancy infomercial, but could’ve used a “Billy Mays here…” introduction. By the way, the only reason he had the $$$$$ to run the infomercial is because he broke a pledge to the American people on public financing limits. John McCain kept his promise. Yes, honor maters when you run a campaign on Hope and Change. BTW, bet you haven’t seen this video of Obama:
One disappointing part -- he would present a story of a family with problems, and then talk about solutions to *other* problems. E.g., the man who lost his pension because of the acts of his company. No solution was presented. What's the point of presenting a problem with no solution? That's not to say that it was nevertheless inspiring. One other question: the youtubes I've seen of this do not include the live part -- does anyone know where I might find the live part?
Re: I'd have much rather heard him give a speech rather than have the music stirring and the 'just folks' on screen. They are a corrective to that big old fake "concerned voter" and publicity hog, Joe the Plumber.
If you're commenting here, you weren't the audience, right? Anyone here in the undecided or Obama-leaner but ill-informed about the facts camp? Particularly that voter demographic and also a resident of OH, PA, VA, MO, GA, IN, NV, FL, SD, or MT? (If so, how did you ger here?)
"John McCain kept his promise. Yes, honor maters" You really, really, really don't want to get into a discussion of who's broken more promises and who's run a more dishonorable campaign. Just go away. It's not going to work this time.
I thought it was effective, except for the uber-cheesy string section that played during clips from his speeches. Unnecessary, and it added a level of emotion that had me (and probably many others) rolling their eyes.
Fancy shmancy infomercial, but could’ve used a “Billy Mays here…” introduction. Or a buy one - get one for your friend deal if you order in the next 15 minutes deal. Obama had 30 minutes to say here's my plan and here's how I'm gonna do it. But instead he just gives us a scripted Hollywood production. By the way, the only reason he had the $$$ to hawk his speech on a prime-time infomercial is because he broke a pledge to the American people on public financing limits. John McCain kept his promise. Honor and integrity does matter when you run a campaign on Hope and Change for 2 years. BTW, bet you haven’t seen this video of Obama:
Oh this is good. mccain on the infomercial: When you're watching this gauzy, feel-good commercial, just remember that it was paid for with broken promises. Senator Obama signed a piece of paper committing to public financing of his campaign. Twice he looked the American people in the eye and said he would sit down with me before he abandoned public financing. He didn't mean a word of it. When it was in his interest to break his promise, he tossed it aside like it didn't mean a thing. He is the first candidate since Watergate to abandon the public financing system, and his campaign is now being flooded with hundreds of millions of dollars in undisclosed and questionable donations. His campaign has directly profited from his broken promise and because of that, the American people have to ask: what does the broken promise behind tonight's infomercial say about the value of his other commitments? Sure its all true. Broken promises, first to op-out since nixon and watergate but I'm sure somewhere in there is a three letter word we can pickout and say see 'just as you suspected' racist.
I was afraid that it would be like Hillary's cheesetastic Hallmark town hall, but it was much more restrained. I thought focusing on the stories of everyday Americans was a good idea. I was also impressed from a technical standpoint with the cut to the live rally (my biggest fear about the infomercial). It was flawless, and I loved the camera angles. And Marc, I wouldn't try teasing the staffs of either campaign this close to election day. About anything.
"television commercials with musical soundtracks are inherently amusing" wait, there's television commercials without music? all commercials are amusing?
"I thought focusing on the stories of everyday Americans was a good idea. Posted by Kat" Yes, right. As opposed to "Hillary's cheesetastic Hallmark town hall" where "everyday Americans" told their story then asked a question live. Good Gravy!
I was wondering who i was going to pick and this just did it for me. I didnt know anything about Barack Obama or his childhood. I was always leaning toward him since i was affected by layoffs and even when i made money taxes took most. Then i see CEOs working 3 weeks on jobs and taking home 30 million while i suffer. Makes me angry! I am now "Obama08"
Wow. That was well done- pitch perfect and clear. Really, I can't wait to see what it is like to have things working again.
Marc, What is with this comment "Content: I have my opinion about it..." Clearly you have become a joke over the past month. You used to be counted on to give real commentary, but now you have just become one of the many "reporters" who do nothing but sing Obama's praises. What did Team Obama promise you? Leon Anne
Nothing new. I was getting ver e sle e e e ep p y.
I liked the part where he walked on water.
It makes me sad for my parents because they never saw Bobby Kennedy get this far in 1968. I think this is what they missed. I'm a 38 year-old white man raised in a Republican household and who voted for Bush in 2000, and I am sitting here at my computer rocked to the core by a sense of hope I have never felt, and by the knowledge that we stand days away from an extraordinary moment in history. And I cannot stop crying.
Tapdancing around your opinions has become the primary function of this blog lately. If you were really interested in being a straight reporter, you wouldn't bother telling us that you have your opinion about it. That would be irrelevant. You are so desperate to have your opinion count for something, yet every time you weigh in on issues you demonstrate yourself to be out of your depths. So either enlighten us with your rationale for why the ad was so terrible, or do us a favour and don't mention anything about your opinion at all.
Wonderful emotional fluff. It played like a pilot for a new fall TV show! Very earnest and melodramatic, with Barack playing the role of the stable emotional anchor who absorbs, understands and mends the problems of those around him. Master manipulator, great politician. Of course, I'd say you are a sucker if you believe even 1% of anything Obama or McCain say to get elected.
I'm with Michele and Joel Stein, who said it right back in February. I want the man to hope all over me. Apparently we are not alone.
GOD bless you Barack Obama and GOD bless America!!!!
Okay,
The government is the most inefficient business of them all. Look at social security, medicare, medicaid, and the bailout. Let's look, shall we? The first three are more efficient than their private counterparts, with less risk; the last one happened because of private enterprise playing with risk. Your point? It reminded me partly of infomercials, but partly of the long-form (10m) closers that the parties use in British elections. The theme was 'I know you, I'm one of you'. McCain has never gone near that in the campaign, partly because he can't, and partly because he doesn't seem to think of himself as 'one of us'.
Obama makes me feel patriotic again. The only time I've felt patriotic under Bush was right after 9-11, and mostly in response to FDNY stories. Yeah, it was all positive--I agree with the commenter above who thought it must have been so hard for the campaign not to want to just hit McCain back a little, but this was a good call I think. He's hitting back by showing a superior level of class and inspiration, which is much harder. Awesome.
Why should you want to "tease the Obama team about it"? You might better appreciate the Obama presentation, if you try responding to it as an actual human being, rather than as the self-satisfied cynic who feels he always must presume to know how things really are?
A question for those of you like 'hadenough' who are against Obama: Why do you respond with antagonistic and hateful comments? I have nothing against McCain supporters who support him for honest reasons (tax policies, foreign policy, what have you). But why can't you just argue in favor of your candidate and critique Obama without demeaning his candidacy or those who support him? The negativity on the Republican side is one of the things that's most hurting McCain. It's turning a lot of people away from McCain and making them examine the alternative.
I didn't watch it, and probably won't (but may see a few excerpts on YouTube. But I thank all of you who did watch and posted here and on Ta-Nehisi's blog. I was really worried it'd be, as someone here said, "cheesetastic." Sounds like it was, instead, "cheesefective."
So a man that is hoping for tax cuts for so many is spending so much money on an add... This may be the dumbest thing I have read on the intertubes in awhile, and I read half of the intertubes. So Obama gets nearly 4 million citizens to donate to his campaign and that means he can't give a tax cut? WTF? Your claim to be a Democrat is highly spurious, Marc. If you don't like all those social programs that are the greatest policy achievements of Democrats, you should probably be a Republican.
It reminded me of those documentary pieces Chris does on ESPN. You know what it will look like, you know they will do there best to manipulate your emotions, but you watch anyway. And yep, you are usually a bit weepy at the end, but yet you still watch the next one. Cuz it's a good story.
The commercial was affecting and moving. It helped me to relate to other demographics and issues that face America. It also made me realize that the only way we are going to overcome a "depression" is with hope, invigorating politics, and a United American populace. No doubt that he is the man for the job.
Inspiring. I am not a citizen of the US but a citizen of the world, with an interest in the health and leadership of the US, our best customer for Canadian exports. This election is a turning point from a swing, several years back, to the absence of government in the management of a nation, the abdication of responsibility by the state, the misguided idea to manage a country as a private business, to outsource its economy, to privatize its armed forces and rely on mercenaries, to outsource its talent and knowledge, to invade other countries, to lie to its citizens. It is inspiring to hear Senator Obama at this such a critical time for the US; I hope for the benefit of the US, for the benefit of the world, that Mr Obama is elected president of the US.
Very moving! I am so happy that he did not mention John McCain. He does not stoop to his level. Very classy! In contrast, John McCain and Palin are using cheap attacks and lies...
I'm amazed at how few comments there are on the most striking aspect of this piece: Barack looked and sounded better than he ever has when he's speaking to the camera or one-on-one. His expression -- just on the verge of a smile -- and the incredibly reassuring tone of his voice (it was brilliant to have him narrate the whole thing) had to be a major plus to those who are still undecided, in terms of who they would rather have in their living room for the next four years, which was the WHOLE point of this infomercial. Meaning that most everyone has heard his policies, knows his biography, and won't be particularly affected by the personal stories, except that they show that he cares, and understands "people like you." His speeches might be a bit grating to those who don't appreciate the raised tone of voice or black cadence. But his manner of speaking here, and as I said, the expression on his face -- which made him perfectly beautiful -- was the most winning thing about this. Perhaps that's what people above mean by "pitch perfect."
Well I may be slightly biased but that was good. His personal story, coupled with the real stories of the families featured in the video were compelling. Obama detailed the specific actions he would take as President, at least to the extent they can be known. But more importantly he laid out who he is; what he stands for; how he thinks; and most importantly the energy, thoughtfulness, judgment, morality, goodness, fairness and common sense he will bring to the White House. Indirectly he showed the pettiness of the McCain/Palin distractive attacks by, well not even mentioning them. Please people. Get out there. Volunteer then vote. Give this man the chance to be our President.
I thought it was terrible - a bizarre, schmaltzy hybrid of local tv news style human interest stories and reality tv-type intrusion into people's lives. But it was not targeted at me or anyone else reading this blog. And though I do not watch local news or reality tv shows, apparently a lot of people do, so the medium will be familiar and attractive to them. Perhaps it worked, then. On the other hand, there were fewer direct connections between the particulars of the struggling real people and the details of his plans, which seemed to me a rather significant failing and left me continually wondering: why are these stories being told at all? Just to feature families in swing states, I imagined, until they brought someone on from Kentucky. I did not appreciate the recycled clips from the debates, the convention and his prior bio-pic. Couldn't they whip up some fresh stuff? Did they realize too late that they didn't have 30 minutes of something to say? The combination of the content-free real people stories, the lack of new details about any actual governing plans and the rampant reuse of old material left me feeling I had wasted my time watching it. Whether they wasted their time showing it depends on the mystical and impenetrable process by which swing voters 'decide' for whom to vote.
My husband and I loved it. We both teared up, but probably because we are so emotionally invested in this election. The production was perfect. The only thing I might have suggested would be to tone down the soundtrack a little. It was good, just too omnipresent. I think it was an excellent investment. It moved me to consider spending every day on the phone instead of just a shift and my husband is going to canvass tomorrow. But, my sister is more interesting. She is an Evangelical, white, 40ish working professional Mom who lives in the suburbs of LV, NV (we are polar opposites). Despite the economy, she and her husband are very upwardly mobile. She went into the election ready to vote for McCain, but she lost respect for him because she thought his negative campaigning showed he didn't take the issues seriously and she was not thrilled about her son picking up the phone to a scary "Obama is a terrorist" robocall on more than one occasion. She is very conservative and was leaning toward Obama recently, but was starting to throw up excuses about not having time to vote. She called me after the infomercial and said it was great! She said it was well done, she liked the positive tone and the outline of all of his plans without the hype of a rally or a speech and without the interruption of a debate. She then started to talk to me about when she could make enough time for voting. She sounded panicked that she might not have enough time so she was rearranging her schedule while on the phone with me. I think it will make my sister, a leaner in a battleground state find time to get to the polls.
Very well done and tasteful and as my mother used to say--may her good Democratic soul rest in peace--that ought to outclass the b----ds! Digression: I love the Atlantic blogs. I am writing from a state that as Gail Collins mentioned in an op-ed piece, does not get any love...our California votes are taken for granted, but hey, I can still be a part of the process, can't I? I'll sleep well tonight, and I hope Obama does too--I have to say, he is beginning to look exhausted, poor baby.
I will have a cup of Obama Kool-Aid anyday! All you others can drink all the McCain/Palin HATER-AID all you want! For once we have someone who is truly about EVERYONE... and not just a select few. Good job Obama - God Bless U & Your Grandmother! - I'm sure your mother is looking down on her baby boy with the utmost pride :)
Never have I seen such slick, smooth camerawork in my life! I will be getting the last laugh, however- no matter who wins. Obama can spew all he wants about America and the people living in it. Did you ever think that ads against him probably should be negative? I agree that my ticket should show what they will do and concentrate on that more, but there is so much bad juju associated with Obama it's not funny! 'Association' is the word. You want the Reverend Jeremiah Wright as your spiritual advisor, America? You want a guy who taught intimidation tactics at Acorn so that banks and financial institutions would be pressured into giving home loans to people who should be renting? All the while befriending Tony Rezco so he would attain a sweetheart deal you could never get on a million dollar home in the same neighborhood as Louis Farrakhan, Rachid Kahlidi and William Ayers? Kahlidi is the straw that broke this camel's back! PLO spokesman at the time it was considered a terrorist association. There's that word again- association. Back to the future, a future with the annointed one. No way is he ever going to do the things he's promised you on this campaign or even tonight! Raising capital gains taxes will kill small business at the worst possible time. Think President Hoover after the crash of '29! Obama is a socialist and if he thinks that's the best economic model for America today, he should own up to it- but he wont! Because socialism has never worked anywhere in history. Two Obama examples from his own mouth. One today and one from November 2007. "Say you have a whole pizza and your friend has none. Wouldn't you want him to have a slice?" And from today: "McCain has taken to calling me every name in the book. Calls me a 'socialist'! Pretty soon, he's gonna call me 'communist' for sharing my toys as a child!" There's a difference. When you share anything at any age, that's called 'charity'. When the government mandates that you hand over your toys or slices of your pizza to others, that's called SOCIALISM! Communist states do this also. You may even be forced to hand over 2, or maybe even 3 slices of your paycheck- I mean .. pizza. GET IT NOW, CHILDREN! Go back to school and study world history or Google 'socialism' and Karl Marx. Don't be afraid... remember, 4 short years of me laughing at you for being stupid and experimenting with foreign economic models at the worst possible time!
The infomercial - will not lose Obama any votes. It will dominate the news cycle for 12 hours at least, drowning out any new message that McCain tries to spin in that time. Next thing you know, its the 31st Oct, and McCain has 4 days to pull Obama back. Obama basically give another, shorter convention speech with at least some of the attendant publicity. Highlights will be on all the networks this morning. Bill Clinton, the only widely-popular President still living, delivered at last the great endorsement we all knew he had in him. Production values were technically excellent, and the timing was tactically brilliant at this point of the campaign. BTW, I thought it was pretty good advocacy by Obama as well.
Shortest half hour ever! Loved it (yes, I'm partisan)... His mom worrying about health insurance while dying? Never forget.
Re: Milquetoast (point by point)
It's pretty clear who they were targetting ... older voters with families. This wasn't an infomercial to GOTV for under-30's. I found the tone very calming. It focused on small business and entrepreneurship and jobs ... at a time of the socialism smear. It focused on who Barack is ... at a time of the "he's a secret Muslim" smear. Marc, can you find out for us what the overall ratings were, i.e. when you add up the 7 networks? Do they break them down by age/gender? It would be interesting to hear about Hispanic viewership as well.
Not a comment on your question - just a message after reading some of the nasty comments you get .... Marc, I love your blog. I come here to get a sense of the story behind the spin. I appreciate your take because I don't always have time to check everything for myself. I also appreciate that you usually don't fall into the false equivalence trap. I know you're getting flak for supposedly being in the tank for Obama but that's not fair. I know that because as an Obama supporter your posts often irritate me ;-) Keep up the good work. Lots of us appreciate you.
I thought it was very moving. I love how he sticks to the issues and has no comments about McCain. He is obviously an intelligent man and will try to do the best he can. I can't help but think what a mess he will be getting when he wins. It's just a shame the country is in such a shambles. I wish him and his whole family well.
"A question for those of you like 'hadenough' who are against Obama: Why do you respond with antagonistic and hateful comments? Posted by Dave" Please point out an "antagonistic and hateful" comment from me. Right you can't. And what makes you think I support mccain? oh, because I post mccain's statement. mccain pointed out facts. I have a question for those like you: Why do you hate facts?
This is a must read on World Net Daily http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=79467 For those of you who are undecided, PLEASE read this!!! For those of you who are in the tank for Obama read it and wonder who the real Obama is!!!
ANYONE commenting on Marc's blog was not the target audience of this. Is was for those white people in Middle America who still be believing all this BS the McCain camp is spewing. As someone else said, no matter what we're still gonna have some huge ass problems four years from now, but I'd rather get to fixing those in Obama's America. McCain's looks like a Klan rally.
World Net Daily. Good lord. From whom did GWB get his coke?
The very first thing that caught my eye was the Huckabee-style shot of Obama posed in front of the window, with the cross floating behind him. I'll have to watch it again for other symbolism. I'm sure it had more. but the opening was a sign, Christian's welcome here, don't turn the TV off, I'm not a Muslim terrorist. I loved the different stories, they felt real. I don't recall an Asian family represented in the mix of stories, which is sad. Did I just forget? As the comments here indicate, the Obama campaign's to blame for the sloppiness of it's message on the middleclass tax cut. That should have been honed to poetry. I felt there was not enough talk on job growth and creation. I think that's people's biggest concern right now, bigger then their 401k, their health insurance, their mortgage; those are all worries that fall out of a good job. The one segment on job creation seemed disjointed, as if a segment about a company had been edited out of the film. I, too, noticed the half-hour went quickly, and that's a very good thing. The discussion about what to do to solve our problems could easily have gone an hour, and Americans want to be involved in the solutions. We're not a nanny state, Republicans, we're Americans, electing President Obama to work with us to solve our problems.
Obama's MENTOR was a crack smoking, whiskey drinking,communist and "swinger" which sounds like his grand parents were partaking in the sex with Frank Marshall Davis. Explains a lot about why Obama's mother was the freak she was. Wake up America, there won't be a middle class when he's done!!!! Empower the poor and disavow the middle class. That's his motto!!! He's already admitted on Meet The Press that he's shares hatred for his country and Obama and Michelle have BOTH burned American flags!!!! He's sleeping with the "Communist Manefesto" under his pillow!!!!
Hoover had the same ideas as Obama to fix the economy and it didn't work!!!! Thus the GREAT DEPRESSION...... Reaganomics worked, brought us out of the Carter era resession........
The Copland-esque music's been talked about a lot- has anyone pegged the direct source? I believe it's from "A Beautiful Mind."
I thought the commercial was fine. Is "fine" the kiss of death? Not for me, no. I'd like to give a more enthusiastic review, but I have election fatigue. Are other fatigued voters, who might be on the fence, so tired of being advertised to that they hit the reject button? Well obviously I have enough energy to be concerned, so I snap out of it and find some reasons to smile: I love the crowds (goosebumps, always) and I almost shed a tear; I love the positivism---I've been waiting for so long, so long for a shred of inspiration, and now it's here. I feel a sense of pride. I realize this is the first time in my life that I look forward to going to the polls. I can't wait to vote!
I'm amazed by the incredible amount of public interest in Sarah Palin. Good or bad, she's become somewhat of a pop icon. People are dressing like her to be and/or mock her all at the same time. For instance, I found this video on dressing like Palin: http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/668-how-to-dress-like-sarah-palin
Why isn't the intellect in play? The Obama presented was the tug-on-your-heart strings, savior. Nothing new was presented; just manipulated scenes to elicit tears. Just like Hollywood. The film was produced by a Guggenheim. The Obama campaign treats Americans like little lemmings.
Ok, let me get this straight. After raising almost 700 million dollars to promote himself, having the media promote him at every turn, he still needs an infomercial to sell himself?! I don't get it. If it's that hard to make the sale somethiing must be wrong with the product! As an independent I'm sick and tired of being told who I must vote for and I definitly don't like my possible future president selling himself on OSN (Obama Shopping Network). Give me a break! Ron Paul is sounding pretty good right now.
Chilling. Major dictators have been able to mesmerize the non-thinking as easily as Obama did. Give him 6 months in office - we'll be begging for him to be out.
Obama is a self confessed follower of Saul Ainlinsky......read about his views before you vote Obama!!! Hilliary was a follower of his but even she was smart enough not to believe all of his teachings. They want to redistribute the wealth!!!!
Obama has a lot of "red flags" around him. All of his college, birth and medical records are not available. He SAYS he'll be more transparent after he's elected.....that's too late!!!
Good point Tracey and Curtis. Not a big fan of the Clintons but they look great compaired to Obama!
"The cut to the live Florida remote was Roger Goodman-flawless." Generally the trains don't run on time in American politics. The campaign's willingness to stage-time a live event is quite impressive, perhaps the most impressive element in a striking piece of theater.
Isn't anyone appalled with the Obama camp spending $4 MILLION dollars (as quoted by abc.com)on, what best can be described as a political infomercial, during these financially challenging times? With double digit leads (most polls), was this really the best way to spend that money?
Obama has stand up for the people and he is a man of his word.
The more appalling question is where is all the money coming from?? FEC says they can't trace donors if they use a credit card to donate.
Since I can't comment anywhere else..."Joe is with us today" cannot be the first line of a Haiku. Joe's could work.
To R. Smith: Why must everyone giving money be either an African American or a terrorist? Perhaps there's more to the world we live in than your simplistic and rather pessimistic "black and white" view of our times. If you're going to make an argument against his use of donated money, consider the fact that I, as well as many Americans, who have never donated to a political campaign before, was willing to give a donation towards making the future for my children and my country a better one. If you disagree, then donate time or money to an opposing party. But don't try to make a "valid" point out of something so deeply soaked in racist-based ignorance.
Obama lied about taking public financing!!!
Dear Mr. Smith, The exclamation point is not generally considered an acceptable substitute for reasoned arguments or appeals.
Raceist based ignorance, I beg to differ, do your homework and look at the facts. Obama took money from Rezko who in turn took money from Iraq in exchange for weapons, he accepted money from the PLO. The list goes on and on amd still people are buying to his BS about "CHANGE" Riddle......If Obama, Biden and Hillary were riding on a donkey and the donkey is spoofed and goes off the cliff, then who is saved????
The exclamation point is used for interjection or exclamation. Boo!!!
I've done my homework and looked at the facts. There is no evidence of a PLO-Rezko-Iraq-Obama connection. Nothing you write should be treated seriously, exclamation points or not.
Just 23 days before a crooked fundraiser helped Sen. Barack Obama buy his Chicago mansion, a billionaire bagman for Saddam Hussein wired millions into the crook's account. "Barack Obama appears to have personally benefited from funds originating in Saddam Hussein's regime," said Mideast expert Daniel Pipes. Former Iraqi official Nadhmi Auchi bankrolled his longtime friend and business partner, Syrian immigrant and Chicago slumlord Tony Rezko, who in turn bankrolled Obama's political career before being convicted this year of fraud. That much is known. What's not known is whether any Auchi funds aided Obama's 2005 purchase of a $1.65 million mock-Georgian mansion in the leafy Kenwood district of Chicago. On the same day, Rezko purchased an adjacent lot from the same seller. In addition, Rezko personally toured the house with Obama before their same-day purchase of the adjoining parcels. He also advised Obama on negotiating his end of the deal. Obama ended up buying his side of the property for $300,000 below the asking price, while Rezko, through his wife, paid full price, $625,000, for the adjacent vacant lot. Just three weeks earlier, Rezko – who at the time was under indictment and virtually bankrupt – received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Auchi, his "close friend" and partner, who smuggled weapons to Saddam's regime.
A year before their real estate deal, Obama, fresh off his U.S. Senate win, attended a dinner that Rezko hosted honoring Auchi at the Four Seasons hotel in downtown Chicago. There, he met with Rezko, as well as his career mentor, Emil Jones, president of the Illinois senate, where Obama had previously served. Jones also is close to Auchi. While Obama acknowledges attending the 2004 event, he claims having no memory of meeting Auchi there. "I just don't recall," he said, even though the dinner was held in Auchi's honor and Rezko had invited Obama to meet him and other friends. What's more, Rezko that same year had held another reception for Auchi, this time at his mansion; and according to court testimony in Rezko's trial, both Barack and Michelle Obama attended the reception and met Auchi. Auchi at the time was under investigation by the U.S. government. The Pentagon had accused him of perpetrating fraud in Iraq, and he was subsequently barred from future entry into the U.S. Auchi turned to Rezko to lobby several politicians in an unsuccessful bid to reinstate his visa. It's not clear if Obama, a vocal Iraq war critic, was one of those politicians. But the senator did intervene on behalf of another shady Iraqi official at Rezko's request.
After Aiham Alsammarae was jailed in Iraq for fraud in 2006, Obama's Senate office sought information from the State Department about his status and relayed it to his family living in Chicago. Alsammarae, a dual Iraqi-U.S. citizen who donated the maximum $2,300 to Obama's campaign, attended the same Four Seasons reception for Auchi attended by Obama. A 2004 Pentagon report identified Auchi as an Iraqi billionaire and global arms dealer "who behind the facade of legitimate business, served as Saddam Hussein's principle international financial manipulator and bag man." The report states that "significant and credible evidence has been developed that Nadhmi Auchi has engaged in unlawful activities," such as bribing "foreign governments and individuals prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom to turn opinion against the American-led mission to remove Saddam Hussein." He also helped "arrange for significant theft from the U.N. Oil-for-Food Program to smuggle weapons and dual-use technology into Iraq." Since October 2002, Obama has publicly opposed Operation Iraqi Freedom, which ousted Saddam Hussein. Auchi was a cousin of the executed dictator. As for Rezko, the Obama campaign says the presidential hopeful was unaware of his dirty dealings and has returned more than $200,000 in donations tied to him. Obama has confessed misjudgment only in the subsequent purchase of a 10-foot strip of the adjacent S. Greenwood Avenue property from Rezko, not the original seemingly coordinated purchase of the parcels with Rezko on the same day, which political watchdog groups have called a "sweetheart deal."
Obama described his subsequent $105,000 transaction a "boneheaded move," only because Rezko was under indictment at the time for bribing elected officials and other influence-peddling charges. He denies they coordinated their bids on the adjoining parcels so the Obamas could buy their dream home at a discount. And his campaign has reiterated that Obama has no recollection of meeting Iraqi bagman Auchi, while adding that Auchi does not recall meeting Obama. "There are no skeletons with this guy," Obama foreign policy adviser Samantha Power has insisted regarding her candidate. "He's clean." Coincidentally, Obama's national campaign co-chairman, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago, also purchased a mansion under similarly mysterious circumstances......where there is smoke there is fire.
He is such a lair.....its hard to believe there are so many stupid people in the world to listen to this.....lair...just wait and see...i cant wait to talk to all you stupid people when he runs this country in the ground.......why does he cover up sooooo much of his past..........well we are going to find ou tthe hard way.....
John McCain rendered more genuine service to his country each and every day of those five-and-a-half years he endured in a North Vietnamese prison than Barack Obama has in his entire life. In "The Manchurian Candidate," several war heroes came back to America from abroad. But one of them harbored a dark agenda, lying in wait, secretly, until it could emerge and transform America. America has a choice Tuesday between a genuine war hero and a genuine Manchurian candidate. Choose well.
The best speech I ever heard. He has honesty, charisma, and most importantly, a real plan.
Did a Gong go off or something? They swarm like locusts. One minute, everything is fine, the next they black out the sun. They have some form of communication we humans don't know about. Yes, a cut-and-paste job from some anonymous poster about some never-heard-of crazy, phony connection not relevant to the problems of Average American is sure to change my mind! Where is the bug-spray?
Are you tired of the constant strain of trying to organize your thoughts in a fashion coherent enough to be understood by the rest of humanity? If so, you might want to ask your doctor if insanity is right for you.
(batguanous republicanus)
He didn't go negative once, and he took us through his policies, his way of thinking, the kind of person he is. It worked. He didn't need to attack McCain of course - Obama's policies and character can stand alone without the hook of an opponent to hang them on. The time went by in a flash - was that 30 minutes? That shows how interested and engaged I was. He painted a picture of America that people could once again be proud of because they belong - currently the electorate is an irrelevance to the Bush administration and people are sick to death of being lied to, manipulated, abused and trampled on. People want their country back. They want their pride in their country back. They want to feel they can make their American dream come true with just a little more understanding from a new government who backs the ordinary American all the way. This wasn't hype, or schmaltz. This spoke to the dream of every good American who values honesty and decency above lies and abuse of power. Every American who believes that we are our brothers'and sisters' keeper and that this can be the United States of America - not one divided by race, hate and visceral greed. This wasn't cymbals clashing or big bands. This was a quiet heart to heart with America. It worked.
Biggest waste of time of my life, a very similar style to the beginning of Hitlers Nazi Germany. Obama is a liar, and a joke, plain and simple.
This is a representative of a great country, United States of America. He has lived up to giving politics a different face. There was no single moment that I felt him defending baseless comments,overcoming resentful feelings brought on by racism/class, only moments where respect for his fellow man was paramount. I am Jamaican, I have no vote except to visually vote for a man, of the people and for the people. Good luck Barack!
I mean, after I lived through and supported the real thing, why would I go for any liberal, democratic, sane, non-genocidal imitator? "Mister, we could use a man like Adolf Hitler again......those were the days"!
Thank you for giving hope to politics Thank you for giving hope to mankind AMPLEXUS EXPECTA - DANES FOR CHANGE
All I can say is EXCELLENT! He is not fake nor a liar see the email below. I saw this and tears came to my eyes Yesterday, October, 21, 2008, Barack Obama came to visit Lake Worth, at Palm Beach Community College. My daughter, who has spina bifida and is a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, attends school there. She was awaiting his arrival in front of a long line of other people. When he arrived, she was able to see him get out of his vehicle. The next thing she knew the crowd engulfed her and pushed her out of the way so they could get close to Mr.Obama. Somehow, with everthing else Mr.Obama had on his mind at this busy time, he was attentive to the situation. My daughter said, 'He (Mr. Obama) grabbed me from the crowd and pulled me away from all of the people who were pushing me out of the way. He hugged me and whispered in my ear, 'When I become president things will be better for you.' She told me that she was so overwhelmed all she could do was cry. Then he hugged her again, and personally wheeled her wheelchair into the building, gave her two t-shirts and instructed the secret service to assist her to the VIP section, which is where she sat to watch the speech. I called everyone I know and shared this touching story because it speaks volumes to me, much more than any campaign speech, commercial, or debate. We were lucky enough to have a personal experience with Barack Obama, the man...the human. I am so overwhelmed that he was perceptive enough to observe what was happening to my daughter (as she was being swallowed by the thoughtless crowd) and that he took the time to remedy the situation (even though he was running late that very busy day.) This gave me insight into the type of person he is in everyday life. He didn't have to go into the crowd and save her, he could have pretended he didn't see her and go about his business, or he could have instructed the secret service to help her. But, he didn't. He took his time and made a difference...right there...right then...no fancy campaign speech, no media coverage...just his true essence, shinning through, with an incredible act of kindness that one Tuesday Morning. I felt compelled to share this story with others, so they too, can get a glimpse of the inner essence of this man. It is not often we have the opportunity to see the true nature of a person making a spontaneous choice in a difficult situation. Mr. Obama's choice lets me know that he is attentive to his environment, willing to get involved, compassionate, and will make a change...even in the seemingly small problems of everyday life. Barack Obama, won this our hearts, because of this seemingly simple act of kindness to our daughter who was being swallowed by a thoughtless crowd. If he would stand up for her like he did, I now believe without ANY doubt he would stand up for this country and do the right thing. Mr. Obama you have my vote. You touched us beyond what I can express with mere words. Dawn Leacock
My name is Nick Kerkhof 48 years old, married with my wife Maja and two children Lauren and Tristan. Where living in the Netherlands and I am a business consultant. This is for me the first time that I take the effort and time to response. I admire B. Obama where he stands for. In my opinion he will be the right men for the job. Not only as a president for de USA but also the hope for change for the entire world. If the American people won't vote for Obama it only means that America is not ready for a black president. For the rest of the world it means that we have to take hour own path. If that means without America so be it!
Obama was really smart...He put on a really good 30 minutes commercial just 6 days for election. Knowing McCain couldn't Done that. Obama...You're a great man...
Wait until the Democrats try to control Radio, Control tv , and TAX us more than 90 % of the countries in the world. Sounds almost dictotaoral to me. The people that are hoping for change will be wishing change never happened. Remember, even if you are a lifeless loser that rely's on the government for your income/foodstamps/snacks (via t.v. ad) that the money has to come from someone that worked harder than you and when the Democrats tax the jobs out of America you're financial support will go away! America could be broke. Rome fell and when the vote swings toward the unproductive entitled losers of the country, then the country will fall. Learn from the past do not be consumed but the elogance of a Left winged radical like Obama. . . with ties to terrorism and socialism. Obama is as bad for America as the Democratic congress has been the past 4 years. Remember, the democrats have put us in a mess with groups like Acorn and entitlement programs and the fight they have pushed against reform in the mortgage market that costs Billions to us the Tax payers. John McCain is the one that tried to stop the mortgage meltdown and people like ACORN would not allow it. FYI Acorn is a group Obama worked for and was a “community organizer for. So Obama best qualification for president is with a organization that is central to our economic collapse! SCARY!!!!
WHAT DOCTOR DELIEVERED OBAMA, FOR 6 MONTHS I HAVE CONTACTED OVER 6 GP/OB/GYN DR(S) PHYSICIANS AND 14 LOCAL NURSES WHO WORKED IN HONOLULU DURING 1961, SOME MILITARY....AND NO ONE HAS A RECORD, RECOLLECTION OR CAN OR COULD VERIFY THE VALIDATY OF OBAMA'S BIRTH - WHICH HOSPITAL WHAT DOCTOR?
OB/GYN and the GPs (Three who were practicing) mention this would be in their notes, records so where was he actually born? If no GP or OB/GYN will attest to facilitating the birth. so far there are alot of people saying ( IN HAWAII) I didnt deliver him....... So who did, EXCEPTION THE MILITARY BASES sorry.. this smells (retired issie in HI (Japanese DR)
Retired in Colorado - he was born there. The newspapers at the time have his birth listed. His birth certificate has been authenticated, he's the real deal. I really do doubt that there was some plot in 1961 to defraud the public for when he ran for President in 2008! Please don't be distracted by stories like this. They waste your time and get you worried for no reason. They are smears and lies.
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I thought I have never wanted any man more than I do right now.
It was the most erotic half hour of my life.
Posted by Fred | October 29, 2008 8:43 PM