Obama's First General Election Ad: "Country I Love" (VIDEO)

"The Obama campaign today announced the release of its first television advertisement for the general election," an Obama camp press release states. "The sixty second ad, entitled "Country I Love," will begin airing in eighteen states across the country tomorrow to highlight how our shared values have shaped Senator Obama's life."

In the spot, Senator Obama speaks to voters about the core values this nation was founded on and how they have guided him to work hard for his education, to bypass jobs on Wall Street to work as a community organizer, and to lead the fight for America's families and veterans as an Illinois and United States Senator.

The ad presents Senator Obama's record of passing laws to reform welfare, to cut taxes for working families, and to ensure America's veterans have the health care they deserve.

The ad will air in Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

Watch the ad:

Washington Post's Chris Cillizza notes:

It's clear from this ad that the Obama campaign recognizes that it must educate voters about his background in order to counter the slew of negative information being moved via whisper campaigns and email chains already in this race.

This ad's message is simple: Barack Obama is just like you. He knows what it's like to start with little and work your way up, he loves his country, he loves his family.

It's a powerful opening salvo -- aided by a candidate who looks natural delivering the message. It's also an important sign of the work still facing the Obama campaign in the coming weeks and months.

Many voters know little of Obama and are hungry for more information. Do they get that information from the candidate or from other sources that are far less favorably inclined to the Illinois senator? It's a key question heading into the fall.

Comments

[gsikev]

this video made me vomit.

[papla]

you must be brain sick then...lol

[bernj]

Well used that white hood your friends gave you so you don't get it on everyone else.

[pilgrim7]

And your suggestions to make his ads better would be...hmmmm­? Or did you just want to make yourself vomit again?

[nativeeyes]

Republicans know they are history, Toast, done and finished..­.

McCain is the sacrificial Lamb being thrown to the WOLVES!!


He can't even get out of the way.... Now that stinks....­.


BYE BYE MCCAIN!!

[mergina]

Oh, Obama is not really like any of us. Obama is riding an ego fueled high that is dangerously close to losing him the election.

[neetsie37]

Did you notice that most small statured men have a herculean-sized ego? That's Obama, I've never seen such a swaggering, self-important, egocentric man since George Bush.
Say goodbye, folks. ........ he's gone.
You HIllary haters will rue the day you got behind him.

[c1ee]

Huh? Hillary, is that you?

[kristin]

Barack Obama is 6' 1-1/2" tall.

[kristin]

It is very subtle --- but I went back to have a look. it can't be by chance. First, just the choice of a window background is not common. Then, to his right (our left) is one complete cross. Terrifically impressive in its creative subtlety.

[klmebane]

i don't hate hillary. before the primaries actually started she was my initial choice, name recognition and all. but the more she talked, the less i liked her politics and the way she played the game. obama brings something different and new to the table. and i would think to run for president you would have to think somewhat highly of yourself, otherwise why are you qualified over someone eles? i don't want someone who has zero confidence in themselves and their ability running the country. i'm from illinois, i've seen senator obama in action, and he really does care about other people, as opposed to faking the funk like mccain or clinton. he cares about the majority of americans instead of the 1% who are already disgustingly rich, and won't really be impacted at all by high gas prices, recession, or taxes. that 1% doesn't need help, they got their sh*t under control. its everyone else who is struggling to make ends meet in todays economy.

[mypov123]

Well, when Sen. Clinton first threw her hat into the race, she said she was "in it to win it", sounds like someone who thought she was "inevitable". If that's not a sign of a "healthy" ego, I don't know what is. Hillary thought there would be no REAL competition against her for the Dem. nomination. She basically thought she would moonwalk to the nomination, and was hell bent on destroying Sen. Obama's chances once he surpassed her in the delegate count, "As far as I know he's not a Muslim", using the "kitchen sink" strategy during the primaries. But, whatever you say, you're right *rolls eyes*.

[NeoStar9]

Sorry but anyone that runs for President of the United States or any position of leadership has a high opinion of themselves. That's just the nature of the beast. You can not fault Sen. Obama for being confident or appearing so. If he wasn't then he'd have no business running. The same goes for anyone trying to be president.

Sen. Obama at least has experienced the lives of normal people growing up even though he was able to move around. Sen. McCain pretty much came from a life of privilege and was favored throughout his career (the man graduated at the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy yet was allow to be a pilot and even lead. What kind of crap is that? His father being a Admiral at the time makes it all clear.).

[Buddy McCue]

Anybody who runs for President has to have a large ego. It's the top job in the land. What's your point?

[mm29464]

I think it is a great ad and hit all of the right notes. Hopefully, an ad such as this will do much to quell any notions of him being somehow "un-American" and any other of those nasty fear-mongering attacks both on the internet and from the right wing. Any fair-minded person can't help be struck by his biography and the man's fundamental decency.

[MrGiggles]

Yeah, but he wasn't wearing a flag lapel.

[4wehttam]

Yes he is wearing a flag pin.......­..........­..........­..I'm sorry that he's forced to do it because of people like Insanity, O-LIE-ly and LimpBalls.

[Softnsweet]

Yea, he is wearing a flag pin made in China. See you have to wear that so China will know that they own us.

[Bagger]

John McCain has said he does not love America. I knew we couldn't trust him.

[Softnsweet]

John McCain loves America. Now you are taking it out of context the way the repubs have done to Michelle Obama. John McCain loves America, you know it.

[bryansmith]

sucks when they take your candidate's words out of context doesn't it?

[c1ee]

How do we know though? What proof is there that he loves America? I think he should set up a conference to prove to everyone he really does love America and bring out irrefutable evidence to prove it. Until he does he hates America as far as I'm concerned.

[dugan45]

If Obama renegged on his agreement not to take public funds, then John McCain does not love America.

In fact, McCain has never proven he loves America. He loves flying planes that crash and positions of power he purchased with Keating Five profits.

[Suthngal]

Simply clarification:

JM said he did not LOVE America until he was deprived of her company.
Difference: he implies that he NEVER loved America prior to becoming a POW.

MO said for the FIRST time in her adult life, she’s REALLY proud of her country.
Difference: she states that she has ALWAYS been proud of America, yet she was REALLY proud of her country for the first time.

Both made very powerful statements, which should be taken at face value. However, if you desire to dissect these statements­...JM is more damning.

Republicans for Obama 08

[johnnygoodwud]

chill, this is just an introductory ad, soft sell. the 'good stuff' is coming. mcgramps is in for a buzz saw.

[ebanks84]

If his feebled mind can remember what a buzz saw is:)

[Vermontah]

I think the window in the background was an intentional reference to Huckabee's floating cross. I think that's rather droll.

[TroubleNYC]

Reaching a bit for them straws are we?

[ebanks84]

I believe they're windows.

[mark77]

LOL.

[kristin]

It is very subtle --- but I went back to have a look. it can't be by chance. First, just the choice of a window background is not common. Then, to his right (our left) is one complete cross. Terrifically impressive in its creative subtlety.

[dugan45]

Oh, well, then, I suppose he should have appeared in front of a green screen so Colbert could be fair and balanced? Know what I'm sayin'? Colbert would love to have simultaneous green screen contests rather than just one for McCain.

I'll bet Report viewers will do a bangup job, even better than they did for Colbert's Star Wars contest.

That darn Obama.....­.....consi­dering theatrical values that bring to him the audience he's targeting. Darn him darn him darn him.

[newgeneration]

It shows how backwards this country is ,,, that this man has to keep explaining to people what his background is.

[mark77]

I find it hilarious that some keep saying "they don't know who Obama is." I would venture to say that more is known about Obama than any other politician in modern history.

Does anyone know where McCain was born? What states McCain grew up in? What McCain's parents did? What college McCain went to? What he he did before he entered politics? How he got into public life? When he became a senator? Many people probably don't know. They probably know all or most of these facts about Obama. But no matter how much information Obama provides about himself, or how much information, some will still complain that "they don't know who he is."

[ebanks84]

Does anyone know he was the "Hello Hanoi" radio personality while he was a pow?

[4wehttam]

I know more about Barack than I do Bush, Clinton and Gore combined.

[Softnsweet]

I have heard them say that they don't know who Obama is. They are lying, to be honest, they probably know more about Obama then they know about Gore, the Clintons, Bushs or McCain. I know that I do.

[midwesthousewife]

Well, we are all news nuts or politics-obsessed folk at this site, but alot of Americans aren't. They just hear occasional tidbits--Obama, Hillaray, bitter, Reverend Wright, Obama, etc. They are getting fleeting impressions that are creating an idea in their minds of what each candidate stands for. That's why it was so maddening during the primaries to see how the poll numbers could be pushed one way or the other based on a poorly reported "controversy". If you are paying attention to the details, you already know what the facts really are. But unfortunately most Americans are very poorly informed, about everything! Just watch Jay Leno's Jaywalking segments. Very disheartening to know these people have the right to vote. So, it is necessary to keep reintroducing Obama, and his wife.

[ebanks84]

...and explain and explain some more. The republicans are like your worse nightmare. They don't go away easily.

[4wehttam]

More like toddlers, you have to keep repeating things over and over and over again before they understand what NOT to do.

[rollingdivision]

Prediction: Based on the Obama handlers approach in this first commercial. Soon, make it about the middle of September, we will see Obama ads where he will be changing his withdraw from Iraq within 16 months position and will move much closer to the McCain policy. Obama will claim he's doing this based on new information he has gotten from his visit to Iraq, his meetings with the Generals and or his meetings with Iraqi politicians. Watch for Obama to renege on his 16 month withdraw.

"Bringing Our Troops Home
Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. Obama will make it clear that we will not build any permanent bases in Iraq. He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda."

[AnotherToerag]

I highly, highly doubt it. We will just have to wait and see.

Will you vote for him so we can make sure we see if your prediction is correct?

[rollingdivision]

No, my belief that professional politicians and bureaucrats are the bane of modern man, my desire not to give any more power, influence, control or money to these vermin and my belief divided government is much less destructive than one party control, forces me to vote for McCain. Additionally, Overall McCain is promising somewhat fewer new government programs and spending than Obama so that is something of a plus for McCain.

[Vermontah]

I disagree. He must undertake a complete overhaul of the mission in Iraq, that's for certain, and then decide which direction to go. I believe his mandate will be to withdraw troops from combat. I believe he will reverse the unstated Bush policy of permanant US presence in Iraq. When he makes that clear, the violence will dramatically cease. I believe we will have troops there for some time as the country stabilizes politically. I think his foreign policy team will reduce the conflict there to isolated local problems. I also think that he will check Iranian hemogeny and there's a good solid chance that peace could come to the region under his leadership.

Seriously, everybody in the entire world is waiting for the grownups to take over in the US, and the fascination with Obama will immediately put us in a very strong position strategically everywhere on the globe. We'll see if his judgement and statesmanship can maintain it.

Go Barack.

[dugan45]

This time around, we shall see actual honor and integrity brought to the White House.

Go, Obama!

[rblackbird]

I think rollingdivision raises a valid concern. Now that Obama has reneged on his promise to use public financing, his credibility is weakened. Does this mean he "will say anything to get elected?"

[Softnsweet]

rblackbird,

Obama did not reneged on his promise to take public financing. Go on MSNBC and with the Keith Olbermann show that aired yesterday before you put that out there

[bryansmith]

actually, he did NOT make a promise to use public financing. He made a promise to work with the other candidate and except public financing if the other candidate chose to do so. Given that McCain has waffled around on the issue, and only decided to except public financing after Obama's announcment, I can't see how Obama reneged on a promise.

Further more, McCain used the promise of public financing as colateral for campaign loans, then said he would not take public financing. Then, when the DNC filed suit and then Obama made his decision to have his supporters fund his campaign, McCain decided he should probably take public finance, or face a campaign finance scandel. He will still be in trouble because he has already spent private funds on the general.

And lets not forget that had Obama taken public finance, he would have had no defense against the GOP/swiftboat onslot in Sept.

[olivia]

Another Republican-created myth busted.

[rollingdivision]

The focus of this ad indicates the Obama handlers think Obama is perceived as weak on values, patriotism and love of country. And they are correct.

[rmetz74]

That's one way to look at it.

I think they think middle America has bought into the bogus elistism accusations, so they're countering it with the truth.

[AJTheReverb]

Maybe the Campaign just wants America to get to know him since there are still a LOT of people who dont know much about his background.

McCain is running the same kind of ads, its politics.

[missusam]

I have never seen your average joeblow in the wh.

[Mij13]

Didn't sound that way to me at all.

[juangault]

I found these rumors out there, I think it was "Slate". I cut and paste.

Barack Obama was only adopted and re-named by a Kenyan father at the age of two. He was actually born to an American Navy Captain who is still classified as MIA in Vietnam. His real name is DeVaughn Wilkins III.
Before attending Harvard Law School, Barack Obama was a CIA agent. He once had Osama Bin Laden in his gun sights but was stopped from pulling the trigger on the orders President George H Bush.
Barack Obama’s daughters still refuse to eat French Fries unless they are re-labeled as ‘Freedom Fries’.
Barack Obama has come close to being arrested only once in his life, and that was for spitting at a cardboard cutout of Jane Fonda.
Barack Obama was given the nick-name ‘Hussein’ by the US ally, the late King Hussein of Jordan who foretold of his eventually becoming president and bringing lasting peace to the Middle East.

[TroubleNYC]

lol

[bujeeboo]

No! It was "Salon".

:o)

[bryansmith]

that's pretty funny

[livesimply]

Project some?

[BWonka]

To you... and a mere 20% who like the where this country is headed

[BigSid]

CONUNDRUM

Obama lectures blacks and he embraces whites. I thought race wasn't supposed to be an issue in this election.

If it's not, then why did he lecture black fathers? And, why does his TV ad feature him having heartfelt conversations with whites?

Why not sit around the table with a nice black family and go out next Sunday and lecture absentee white fathers?

Rev. Wright tried to lecture whites and we all know where that got him...unde­r da bus!

As much as everyone tries to escape it and deny it...race will be the key issue of this election..­.the less Obama tries to make it about race...the faker he seems.

Michelle Obama seemed so fake on "The View" as she tried to be the sweet soccer mom. She's a lot better when she's herself...­the outspoken woman she really is.

So tired of this guy.

[rmetz74]

No one - certainly not Obama - has said race isn't an issue in this election.

The fact is that there are proportionately more black kids growing up without fathers than there are white, and seeing as he IS a black father, he has a special relationship to that audience. And as for the commercial, he's already doing extremely well with black voters, so he's focusing nis first national ad on white working class voters who have bought into some of the lies that have been spread about him. There's nothing fake, underhanded, or remotely surprising about it. It's certainly not a connundrum.

Yes, race will be key. I don't see anyone denying that. He gave a huge speech all ABOUT race, remember?

It's fine for you not to like him. But you're not making sense.

[AJTheReverb]

Why do republicans even bother coming to this blog?

[AnotherToerag]

I thought his speech on Fathers Day was directed at all fathers... not just black fathers. Many of the heartfelt conversations with whites are with his mother and grandparents who helped raise him.

Because of this post, I recommend everyone to watch or re-watch the speech Obama gave on race in Philly a few months ago.

[rmetz74]

It certainly was aimed at all fathers.

I have a feeling Big Sid hasn't actually watched what he's criticizing.

[arjuna108]

Yes, but "big" sid has a point. how hard would it have been for his parents and grandparents to have put on a little blackface and given a big Al Jolsen smile? They should have known that "smart" people like sid would question why white parents would talk to their black children. It just isn't something you see everyday in the Klan.

[MsLiz]

Big Sid, you are a big faker. Go collect your ten cents for writing this post.

[bujeeboo]

He was promised a trucker style cap left over from Bob Dole's campaign and an autographed copy of Bill O'Reilly's new book.

[ebanks84]

More tired of Obama than McCain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

[TheEmptinessOfTruthiness]

Incorrect. Nice smear attempt though.

Remember his comment about "clinging to guns and religion?"

No, of course you don't.

[suzyku]

Excellent ad, to the point, from the heart!!

[TheQuis]

I have a few Factual Quotes from an African American Marine Medic Who fought for his country in Vietnam and was entrusted with the care of President Lyndon Johnson.

"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes three-strike laws and wants them to sing God Bless America."

No! No No!

God damn America … for killing innocent people.
God damn America for threatening citizens as less than humans.
“God damn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and supreme.”

“We bombed Hiroshima. We bombed Nagasaki. And we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon and we never batted an eye"

[TheOneironaut]

*crickets*

[pie8ter]

And your point?

[jmyoung666]

I think the point is no one has identified what Reverend Wright said that was factually incorrect in the circulated clips. The stuff about the government creating AIDS, while certainly believable, has no evidence to support it, but he said those later during interviews.