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"If you join me, we're gonna take our country back"

By Jaime Mulligan - Sep 5th, 2007 at 4:46 pm EDT

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If you haven't seen it yet, we have a new ad up on tv here in Iowa. The ad talks about Barack's efforts to improve transparency in government, including his work in Illinois to pass sweeping ethics reform and his efforts in the U.S. Senate to force lobbyists to disclose campaign fundraising.

It focuses on a simple American principle: to change the results in Washington, we need to change the politics of Washington. That’s exactly why Barack Obama is running for president.

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Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Jane - Richmond, VA Sep 5th 2007 at 6:06 pm EDT

This is exactly why we must work together to elect Barack Obama for President. Today I heard Chuck Todd speculate on the immediate international response to America electing Barack Obama as our leader. Barack's mere presence will restore the honor, dignity and pride to being called an American. Our politics, our country, and the world are hungry for the very qualified judgement and leadership of a President Obama.

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Alex Sep 5th 2007 at 8:28 pm EDT

I could not have said it better.... The day he sat on THAT chair, the world look at us differently. The whole world will say that America is bold enough to go in a different direction to make the country better and be an example by deed to the others. ALso, the people around the world will contiue to see this country as a last becone of hope to them and humanity.

Make us proud President Obama...... the people are with you!

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Sep 6th 2007 at 12:35 am EDT

Obama WILL make us proud.

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Hope is coming Sep 6th 2007 at 1:19 am EDT

Oprah's Couch For Obama Only

This year, she says, Obama will be the lone presidential candidate to grace her studio. "If everybody knows I'm for Barack it would be really disingenuous of me to be sitting up there interviewing other people as though... pretending to be objective. So I won't be doing anybody because of that, on my show." Listen -
Link

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Carol from Saratoga Springs Sep 6th 2007 at 8:21 am EDT

Thanks so much for the link. We see the same characteristics in Barack that Oprah does and are eager for others to recognize what makes Barack so very special.

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO INSERT LINKS IN THEIR COMMENTS!! They enable us to be better supporters.

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Sep 6th 2007 at 2:22 pm EDT

Thanks for link. I think Oprah is right that we have a little over a year before election for president and the excitement and hope that Obama has brought back to politics is really incredible. We don't have(or want) to cringe away from it, but some how have all embarked on a real sense of change and hope and it's clearly because of Obama! I was so glad Oprah endorsed Obama and not just by name but she threw her whole self in which I expect no less of her anyway, but that is huge and her reasons are as simple and humble as the rest of us.

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By cape cod Sep 5th 2007 at 9:17 pm EDT

I could not say it any better than you have. I have never been involved in a campaign before, given money to a presidential candidate before and I am attending a meeting this week-end to hear about the skills I might need to help this man become president of the USA this I have never done before.
I have read his books, listened to his speeches, I have listened to Michelle Obama's speeches (she is just as awesome as Barack), I have looked hard and carefully at this man and I am very impressed. We are very blessed to have a man of his caliber willing to run for the office of president of the United States. We all need to unite together to allow him the opportunity to bring unity to United States and all those around the world.

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Lottiedott Sep 6th 2007 at 11:47 am EDT

I want my country back, too.
Obama is the only person who is talking to ME!
His is the first campaign I have ever contributed to.
I dread the future of our country if we DON'T change direction.
Obama is our FUTURE!
Thank you so much for running.

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By Justine from Fort Pierce, FL Sep 6th 2007 at 12:25 pm EDT

Barack's "Change" 31 second ad is perfect! He directly addresses the issue of "ethics" that would invoke true change, explains how he has championed ethics reform and asks us to demand moral values from those in power.
This ad is only intended to inspire people who understand priciples. I am truly inspired!!!
****************************** ****************************** ******************************
Until a moral code is established in our Government then there will be "no" change!

Re: Take our country back | Report to Admin

By New York Professor Sep 6th 2007 at 12:41 pm EDT

Our country is desperate for new leaderdership (or any leadership). I am sick and tired of so-called "leaders" doing nothing but taking loads of cash from lobbyists and ignoring the needs and wants of American people. I love this country but am terrified for our future. Our debt and trade deficit keeps growing and politicans do nothing. Jobs are shipped overseas to dangerous sweatshops and our politicans do nothing. Nearly 40 million Americans live in poverty and nearly 50 million go without health care and they do nothing. At least 12 million are here illegaly (many with fake IDs and criminal records) and our politicians do nothing. I want to tell my students they have a bright future in the U.S. but I can only see that happening with new leadership. Barack Obama is the only one running who has real vision and fresh ideas.

Simple easy message! | Report to Admin

By MarkkraM Sep 5th 2007 at 8:19 pm EDT

Simple!!

Great Ad | Report to Admin

By RAH Sep 5th 2007 at 9:04 pm EDT

I really like this ad. It shows accomplishment and the reason for his experience AND why he will be the one to bring change.

I read a review on Huffington Post and someone commented if that was all he had done in Illinois. I wrote that he can only put so much information in a 30 second ad. Hopefully he will do longer ones talking about all the different accomplishments like getting health care for Illinoisans and the justice system, his record on the environment in illinois. Then also include what he has accomplished in the US senate. He's done a whole lot of great things, and I know it's hard to fit that into a few minutes of ad.

But I sure like this one over Hilary. I guess she's decided that calling people invisible to Bush isn't going over so well. She's not running against Bush.

Re: Great Ad | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Sep 6th 2007 at 2:31 pm EDT

That is right, because the only change Hilary can recognize is that of Bush vs. her. Obama is showing change and creating hope that his and his alone. Unique and heartfelt. Hilary on the other hand only sees change as Bush being gone. Her elected. As Obama says, we need to change politics not just the politicians!! And he is so right. No amount of experience can bring about change without someone like Obama with the vision and strentgh to lead us but motivates us to follow!

Good Ad | Report to Admin

By Jed Van V Sep 5th 2007 at 10:36 pm EDT

Political ads for me are pretty much the same but I am all behind Obama so the ads are not for me.

Along with Obama's new ad, HRC also has a new ad. It, 'strangely' enough, is called CHANGE. In a posting on the Atlantic I came across this ---

New Hampshire for Hillary Co-chair Speaker Terie Norelli

Announces New Ad will start this week in New Hampshire

MANCHESTER, NH – New Hampshire for Hillary Co-chair, Speaker of the House Terie Norelli, today announced the first television advertisement for Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in New Hampshire. The 30-second ad, titled “Change,” is scheduled to begin airing this week in New Hampshire. The ad will also air in Iowa.

“People in this country are ready to turn the page on the current administration. They are ready for change – ready to see an end to the war in Iraq, ready for universal healthcare and energy independence and ready to see that our veterans receive the care they deserve,” said Speaker Norelli.

“Without the strength and the experience to make it happen, change is just a word. All of the candidates are talking change,” Norelli continued. “Hillary has a 35 year record of fighting for it and making it happen.”

Is stealing words from another candidate's mouth right? It seems that HRC is countering Obama by doing exactly what he does. Change.....turn the page....so depressing that people buy this. So old school and so yesterday so uninspired.

Thank you.

Re: Good Ad | Report to Admin

By indyK Sep 5th 2007 at 10:53 pm EDT

. “Hillary has a 35 year record of fighting for it and making it happen.” Making WHAT happen???

...and "Change.....turn the page....so depressing that people buy this." Yes, but the sad part is that it rings hollow with us, and those who don't know who she's copying and don't see through her.... it makes me shudder....

Re: Good Ad | Report to Admin

By Franklin Katunda Sep 5th 2007 at 11:07 pm EDT

Lets Hillary play old school as looser as that sounds, she won't get anywhere with it in 2008, because the American people know who started that LINE. John Edwards did the same, but cannot fool the wisened electorate. See Hillary and Bill went on and appeared on Ellen's show and Larry King this month simply to steal the headline....Simple is that. And that is dirty old politics.

Nevertheless, we are going forward on the Obama's side, such as the "OPRAH'S ENDORSEMENT" which will bring millions of viewers behind senator Barack Obama, thousands of her network members' emails, millions in money contributions, the women's vote, more of the African-American vote and this endorsement will bring the middle class/mainstream of Americans (all racial backgrounds) to the table of debate.

Watch California this Saturday:

" On Saturday, Winfrey will host her first-ever presidential fundraising affair on the grounds of the Promised Land, her 42-acre ocean- and mountain-view estate in Montecito, Calif. - an event that is expected to raise more than $3 million for Obama's campaign" - CBS News, 9/5/07

An Obama-Oprah Ticket? Yeah, why not? Every candidate is craving for it...Its as efficient as some of the unions' endorsements for an aggressive grassroots get-go.

GO OBAMA-OPRAH 08'

Re: Good Ad | Report to Admin

By Time Words Sep 5th 2007 at 11:14 pm EDT

There is fire raging.......NY Times

Link

Re: Good Ad | Report to Admin

By ObamaAlumni Sep 6th 2007 at 3:17 am EDT

The fire did indeed rage....I had to add my two cents thanks for the link.

Re: Good Ad | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Sep 5th 2007 at 11:41 pm EDT

Great Ad

Re: Good Ad | Report to Admin

By Justine from Fort Pierce, FL Sep 6th 2007 at 9:30 am EDT

Barack is the "center" of this election. None of the other candidates are truly running on their own merit, ideas or experience they are following Barack's lead.
If some of Hillary's youtube videos hit the air in NH she will be seen as an extension of Bush politics and the ultimate "flip-floppin fabricator" and not an agent of change.
Hillary's crap is getting ready to hit the fan!!!

re | Report to Admin

By vw (Hussien)cat - Because I am very bitter and elitist Sep 5th 2007 at 11:12 pm EDT

I love that outfit Michelle is wearing. she has two that I think are smashing.
I ran across a really great 'ad' or some kind of video introduction. it is about 5 min and it wonderful.
You must see it.

Link

Good to Be on the Same Page | Report to Admin

By Jed Van V Sep 5th 2007 at 11:16 pm EDT

The comments I read in most political blogging sites seem to reflect exactly what we are saying...this is inspiring. Most people seem to see that HRC is playing a safe and very traditional campaign. I love this. I started a blog (Jeremy C Van Voorhis) from Taiwan and I am ready to do all that I can do to make sure we do not see Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton.

This was a posting on my blog....

I am in Taiwan. I have lived here for 15 years. Saw Bush wiggle into the White House in 2000.I saw him smear Kerry in 2004 and now I am watching a very interesting race amongst a great field of Democrats in 2008. My money is on Obama. Although Hillary is supposedly leading I can't imagine why; for me her success is all about Bill.

I saw Obama, like most everyone, in July 2004. After that speech I said many times that he was the next President of the USA. Now he is in a race with people that clearly do not match his skills of inspiring. I am sure they are all good politicians and all would do a good job but there is just something that resonates when I listen to Obama. Hillary Clinton is more yesterday than tomorrow, as is John Edwards. I also like Bill Richardson and Joe Biden but they do not stand as tall as Obama nor are they as cool.

The biggest problem is the press. They are on the HRC (Bill Clinton) bandwagon. They gave Obama great coverage at the beginning but ever since then peoples opinions have turned based on, what I think, are terrible misrepresentations from the press. You have to give credit to HRC for running a good (totally boring and unoriginal) campaign but she is following a play book perfected by Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. Her game plan is to be careful. This is so yesterday.

The greatest and most troubling strength she has is the last name Clinton. But ask anyone if they think Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton is actually change and I guarantee you will have them off balance. Ask if they think the unwritten rule about past presidents throwing there support behind someone early is a good thing or even fair. This is America and sons following fathers and wives following husbands is not what this country is about.

Thank you.

Remember howard Dean? | Report to Admin

By Will Sep 5th 2007 at 11:19 pm EDT

Dean used the same tired line "We're gonna take our country back."

Sorry. I want to see Barack as President, but that ad's main slogan is weak. Take the country back? From who? And bring it back to where?

Re: Remember howard Dean? | Report to Admin

By Mid America Mom Sep 6th 2007 at 12:37 am EDT

Oh I did not know that!

Re: Remember howard Dean? | Report to Admin

By Justine from Fort Pierce, FL Sep 6th 2007 at 10:42 am EDT

"Bring the country back from who?"
...out of the hands of "mad men", media manipulation and strongholds that have silenced the voice of the people!

"...to where?"
...into a place where we can speak and be heard!!! A place of hope, dignity, moral standing, honesty, a new sense of pride and change for the betterment of all Americans and for peoples all over the globe who look to these attributes once demonstrated by representatives of America!

If we join Barack in his efforts, we will not only be able to participate in a democracy again but Barack Obama will be our next President!!!
So let's take this country back, Obama!!! I am so tired of being ignored!!!

Re: Remember howard Dean? | Report to Admin

By Tammy Sep 6th 2007 at 1:20 pm EDT

Will,

Take back our country from LOBBYISTS, PACS, and other SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS as well as CORRUPT POLITICIANS and bring it back to ordinary American citizens.

It sounds like a plan to me. I like the phrase and obviously so does Hillary since she has started saying it after hearing her leader, Sen. Obama, use the phrase.

Re: Remember howard Dean? | Report to Admin

By Will Sep 6th 2007 at 2:05 pm EDT

Tammy,

It's straight out of Howard Dean's playbook and how did he make out in '04?

This ad is uninspiring political fare.

To see a very well written and timely piece, check out Maureen Dowd's Op-Ed in yesterdays NY Times. If I knew how to make a LINK, I would, but I don't, so please read it.

Obama '08

awesome | Report to Admin

By AmandaMo Sep 5th 2007 at 11:23 pm EDT

Love it!

Re: awesome | Report to Admin

By Karanja Sep 5th 2007 at 11:27 pm EDT

I am sorry to go off topic but you guys have to see this video. Seems like Pro-Obama. Really neat.

Re: awesome | Report to Admin

By Karanja Sep 5th 2007 at 11:27 pm EDT

sorry, here is the link;
Link

Re: awesome | Report to Admin

By ObamaAlumni Sep 6th 2007 at 3:25 am EDT

funny lol

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Mark Sep 6th 2007 at 3:01 am EDT

The ad is terrible and uninspiring. A waste of money. It would have been more worthwhile to air the video of Michelle speaking to the other women in Chicago which was very positive and inspiring. And by the way, all of her info can be immediately confirmed to be true by following up on her Wikipedia article which talks more about her public education.

Hey campaign managers... listen up! Jimmy Carter took the proper policy angle public and did not do too well with the American public in terms of impression. Ronald Reagan's 1984 "Morning in America" campaign contains a historical lesson for you folks.

Good luck.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Mark Sep 6th 2007 at 3:20 am EDT

I watched both videos again. Hillary's ad is clearly better due to repeated use of the word "we" which helps the viewer to feel included as part of the change, the campaign and the election. Barack's video is nice but standard political fare. Putting the two videos up against each other shows that the admakers have taken the essential strength and message of the Obama campaign and grafted the feel of it into Hilary's ad making her look like the better candidate.

I would recommend that the company that did Barack's video be fired immediately.

Let's face it folks. Barack's public voting record and stand on issues does not significantly differ from Hillary's. The difference in the candidates is who they are at their core and what they really intend on doing. Bill Clinton is the known factor, he is a demopublican who held up traffic at LAX for a haircut one day. If Barack can't beat these two, he doesn't deserve to win.

A lot of these comments are a little too cheerleadery on this blog. I hope that there are some serious folks analyzing how to get a message across.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By ObamaAlumni Sep 6th 2007 at 3:34 am EDT

I agree that the add needs improvement, I disagree that there voting records are similar. Baracks sponsoring or cosponsored legislative record blows hillary away. I agree if He cant beat them then he doesnt deserve it. Period. I also agree that sometimes as supporter we hype each other up to much and we need to hold HQ responsible for there shortcomings.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Kwame Sep 6th 2007 at 10:10 am EDT

Mark, you raise an important point. I think we should analyze both ads in the context of what the respective campaigns are trying to achieve.

Hillary's strategy, in addition to stressing her years in DC , is to show some warmth as a person. I am therefore not surprised that she consistently used the word "we".

Barack, however, doesn't have the warmth problem and is trying to make a more substantive case.

Barack's overall strategy as he articulated is to lay out a case that 1) we need fundamental change in Washington and 2) he has the experience to achieve that change.

I think the ad is consistent with this strategy because he lays out his experience in fighting for fundamental change to the political process (e.g., lobbyist reform, spending transparency, etc) and hopes that voters see that as a good indication that he will effect more changes as president.

I get the sense that you might disagree with Barack's strategy and would prefer if Barack's makes a personal case about who he is as opposed to a substantive case. I will say that such an approach would only fuel the mis perception that Barack is all sizzle and no meat.

I agree with you that we need more serious discussions here because that is the best way for us to be helpful to the campaign.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Mark Sep 8th 2007 at 3:43 am EDT

Good post and I do appreciate your response. I do however feel that in attempting to reach out to the uncommitted middle, that the essential message needs to resonate as a thematic core. I do not believe that most people really believe that politicians are able or willing to carry out specific policy positions. "All sizzle and no meat" is just a misleading media smear. The Reagan "Morning in America" campaign was successful and it focused on core value themes. Additionally, Reagan was the only politician who spoke in positive terms. Campaigns that run around implying that the world is a terrible place and we have to fix it, if they focus on the terrible rather than our ability and moral duty to fix it, lose.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Richceo38 Sep 6th 2007 at 1:23 pm EDT

who are these idiots on here talking about how terrible the ads are...These ads are wonderful. He is appealing to a different demographic. One do not show his best hand 4 months from the first voting day..My goodness..WHat idiots.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Mark Sep 8th 2007 at 3:48 am EDT

I am one of the "idiots" who posted here. By the way, I'm also a physician and love my job caring for people. Barack as president would generally speaking, make a lot of people feel like the world might become a better place. He could bring out the best in people. Since we are on the same side, I would appreciate it if you could refrain from name calling.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Tammy Sep 6th 2007 at 1:33 pm EDT

Sen. Obama's ad lays out a record of accomplishments that support him as the CHANGE AGENT.

Sen. Clinton has absolutely no accomplishments to cite so she's using a generic ad. You're impressed by that? She doesn't cite one single solitary accomplishment. That's because she doesn't have any. Sen. Clinton therefore doesn't have a record of being a change agent at any point in her political life.

Clinton's ad is a "talk the talk" ad.

Obama's ad is a "talk the talk" and "walk the walk" ad.

I think it's pretty clear which one the American people will prefer.

BTW, every team has its CHEERLEADERS.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Mark Sep 8th 2007 at 4:03 am EDT

"BTW, every team has its CHEERLEADERS"

Touche! If I dress up as an Obama cheergirl, it's not going to be a pretty sight. We might go down 30 points in the polls. Better leave that part for Obama Girl.

re: New Ad | Report to Admin

By Ann Cantelow Sep 6th 2007 at 8:54 am EDT

Sorry, I didn't like the ad, either. I thought it resembled lots of other political ads and found it rather dreary and boring. If I wasn't already a supporter of Obama, I think I might have changed the channel when coming across it. Although it presented accurate facts, you're not inclined to trust that style.

I think it should be more direct, should have more full motion video quotes, and try to resonate with the better press reports of his current speeches. This is tv, and I think we should see him moving, speaking. I think a slide show seems old-fashioned. Then you get the notion of same old, same old - not the message of this campaign!

Barack has talked about his accomplishments. Since the goal is to educate about his accomplishments, maybe it would be good to use footage from that.

(getting fired up here) How about showing some footage from the 2004 speech? (I didn't see it, bet it was great.) Then show him talking to a crowd in the present. There must be footage from Illinois senatorship? To show a long history, to get the point across of his solid experience, show him doing political things in the past, and show him speaking well and confidently in the past, as well as now. That gets the message across of consistant hard work and experience as well as anything. I think someone should take on the project of going through old sound *and* video recordings and assemble clips of moments that would be good for ads, and make them available for ad designers to select from.

Loved it!! | Report to Admin

By Misty F Sep 6th 2007 at 10:14 am EDT

I love that commercial, especially the last line. It's so true!

"If you join me, we're gonna take our country back."

Change | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Sep 6th 2007 at 10:52 am EDT

America, the people’s patent or the corporate copyright!!!

Oprah - Supporting Obama | Report to Admin

By Ethel Sep 6th 2007 at 11:22 am EDT

Please make a postive comment about Oprah supporting Obama on CNN website

Link

Taking our Country Back | Report to Admin

By Michael Guinn Sep 6th 2007 at 1:15 pm EDT

For way too long I've been made to feel that my Country had changed so much that it wasn't mine any more--Let's Take America Back now that we have a candidate that will help us DO that! Let's get away from all the division that has been touted by the current administration and his cronies-OBAMA 08!

Re: Taking our Country Back | Report to Admin

By Tammy Sep 6th 2007 at 2:33 pm EDT

Amen.

It's pretty good | Report to Admin

By David from Chicago, IL Sep 6th 2007 at 6:05 pm EDT

not great.

But I think it's important to remeber that all ads (even non-political ones) are aimed at specific demographics and not everyone.

Obama needs to make up ground among older iowa voters and voters who think Obama is too inexperienced. this ad is aimed at these voters.

here's a good comparison, remember Obama's youtube ad? I really liked that ad, but that's because it was aimed at younger people like me.

in short, don't expect every ad to wow you. some will and some won't depending on the demographic the ad is aimed at.

Re: It's pretty good | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Sep 6th 2007 at 11:59 pm EDT

David,

Even though you do not have a profile posted on here yet, I do appreciate your intelligent post & open mind to also realize that the ads are NOT necessarily about US & that they have been well thought out & planned.

Again, thank you for posting your comment

Re: It's pretty good | Report to Admin

By Mark Sep 8th 2007 at 3:54 am EDT

I didn't like the ad and I thought I was old. Does this mean that I am really younger than I think?

The rebranding of Hillary | Report to Admin

By Ricardo Sep 7th 2007 at 12:52 am EDT

I have also appreciated the honesty of Barak and how he deals with issues matter of factly. I have been following and encouraging others to follow him and campaign for him where ever I go and meet Americans, including in Europe and Africa.

I respect the message he carries not just for America but the entire world which currently is holding its breath.

Hillary's team must be doing the same because they are trying to reposition and rebrand her but I am afraid when you blow away the froth, what do you get? Nothing refreshing, just plain ole Hillary.

You want to know more about the hypocrisy of Hillay look here Link

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