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

[mike53]

I bet he was talking about Iran.

[sanywhere]

and i bet your iq is around 15.

[BWonka]

'A fool and his money are soon parted.' You must be broke by now.

[Mogamboguru]

So, short snippets are the latest arrow in the Rep's quiver, I see? About the last one, I presume. Because - you are not even good at it...

[orangepetal]

Stay tuned now for the Obama flip / flops. The revolution will get watered down, so welcome to the real America. Yes, we are capitalist ( not marxist ), we will protect our security (no we won't be buddies with repressive regimes ), we do not tolerate racism (even if it is reversed ), no extreme religious ideologies, we aim to unite not divide, to blend not to isolate. We are the Hilary supporters and Obama, you are seeming so much more conservative already. You are grateful and appreciative as opposed to extremely disgruntled. You already stole all her great ideas, now her stances. Wow, you're unbelievable, your audacity is insulting. Are you courting us? We are not interested, we say no deal ! Remember you don't want to risk loosing your base, but maybe they will recognise that you are just postering yourself, for political necessity. We see that, very clearly.
Hey, guys its not really that bad. You'll all grow up and see that taxing money that hard working wise people manage to put away isn't such a genius idea after all.
Let Clinton take it to the convention if she wants to. Obama, Pelosi, Dean and Reid give the people back the DNC !
PUMA Mc Cain Democrat

[ZadieSmith]

Wow, that made zero sense.

[kitfox]

Thats because he and mc*in are sharing the same meds..

[lorla]

Such a pretty screen name for such a bitter C lintonite.

[Sabreen60]

All that to say what? You are child living in a grown up world. Too bad.

[missusam]

That is exactly how she sounds. You hit the nail on the head. Those are not her words, sounds like a mission statement or rules and by-laws from the She-woman, men-haters club.

[RaraAvis17]

OrangePeal - You are sad.

[orangepetal]

I am scared, scared of Obama and the real CHANGE his administration will bring.
Sorry, I know it's not what you all feel.
But I do hope in the next five months more and more people will see what I can.
That is why I write, otherwise I actually have alot to do and don't really have the time it takes to post.
I know the racist, troll and Republican lines are used to squash disenting opinions, but really how many racists, republicans, non liberals do you think read Huffington. I'm one of the conservative Democrats that Dean hates.
I'm pro choice, support gay and labor rights, I support judicial reassesment and change, I believe the goverment should share in the well being and interests of the people,ETC. But in Nov I will hold my nose and vote against many of my ideals, for the best of two evils-Mc Cain, because of all of you, who have no respect for what I consider very important. So good luck.

[GravitonX]

In your grammar classes, they should have taught you not to use "we" when in 1st person.

[orangepetal]

You are right, I apologise, I. Although I am definitely not alone.

[Lynette]

Excellent commercial. Yes we can get America back on track and out of that "made in China" mindset we have been forced to lived with for the last decade. Good ole' America.

[BlackbirdHighway]

I've never given a dime to the Democratic party in my whole life, but after seeing that button, I'm in.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Give a little. It's your GD country. Push in the right direction.

[gladys46]

Aaaaah, we used to say "be still my heart!" Be still my heart! O's honesty and empathy flows!

Great Ad.

[JohnShank]

Are the grandparents of whom Obama speaks the same ones with the grandmother who he says reacts like a "typical white person" around African-Americans? Just wondering.­..

And the day he cuts taxes for working families (especially the middle class) will be the day that I flap my ears and fly to the moon.

Socialist slop....

[MsDoc]

Have a nice trip.....

[CanadianAmerican]

Yes, the same one who acts like most (especially older) white people who are apprehensive of blacks. I suppose you are one of the exceptions, or you believe yourself to be?

And will you be honest and admit you are wrong if and when Obama implements middle class tax cuts (as he most certainly would if elected... he has been crystal clear on this)? I'm confused, do you think middle class tax cuts (i.e. using the tax system to redistribute wealth from the top to the bottom) are "socialist slop", or are you in favor of them?

[rinpochet]

Because his grandmother acts like a "typical white person" doesn't mean that he doesn't love her. My mother always acted like a "typical white person" and she meant the world to me. The only thing wrong with that statement is in your tiny mind.

BTW, hope your ears are as big as your mouth as you will definitely need them with an Obama presidency.

[amcg50]

That is not what he said about his grandmother and you and the rest of the Wingnuts know it! But then why should the "facts" get in your way!

[BigSid]

A 50 or 100 year war is not what McCain said. If you wanna start straightening out the records here, let's try to make right all the things Obama has misrepresented as well.

[sanywhere]

should not be a problem for you. dumbo had big ears, correct?

[trinity29]

the more BO makes positive ads and McSleepy makes negative ads, the choice will be clear to the voters. The republican party has not yet realized that going negative as a strategy will backfire on them because people are just tired.

[gotborked]

True, negative ads are not ideal. But, on the other hand, Repubs shouldn't give BO free reign to say whatever he wants about himself with no retort.

Voters have a right to know the truth about the man and his policies.

[barackobama4prez]

Repugnates can't begin to share the truth about anyone....­not even themselves. They are LIARS. You want truth, visit the candidate's websites and blogs like Huff.

[MsDoc]

I really wouldn't worry too much about "free rein". Fox News will certainly blow any little slip or idiosyncrasy into the Godzilla of political stories. It is, after all, what they do.

[gladys46]

He could say ... I'm Barack Obama ... and you ain't .. Mc!

[CanadianAmerican]

Are you saying there is something untruthful in this ad, and if so, what?

[BWonka]

We do know what he stands for - moving forward. And Mc Loser stands (sits?) for continuing the same failed policies that have brought us near to bankruptcy, a failed war, and NO hope for anything different in the future.

Learn - or stay ignorant and vote for Mc Loser.

[superduperandy]

Ah yes, the Flag Lapel issue! I trusted him but then he went and double crossed me by wearing a flag lapel. I've trusted friends in the past who've done the same - they may as well stab me in the heart with a cursid flag lapel! A real candidate would pass aggressive measures on Flag Lapel reform, Flag lapel exports and on using flag lapels as a form of torture. Oh what a significant and substancial issue! Please, let's hear more! Let the coverage continue CNN, I can't get enough on this important matter!

[jones]

I'm having some deja vu with this ad. didn't he run ads very similar to this one during the primaries? Maybe I'm just video overloaded these days.

The shot of Barack as a kid next to his granddad is striking thou. He looks hauntingly just like his granddad.

[folksonomy]

Good job with the ad. Not too long or sickly sweet. To the point; succinct.

Vid link duly blogged.

And, yes, I swooned just a little bit watching.

[Dutchy]

good add if a little sickly sweet. Like how wide it's being played, GA, ND, NC and AK could be in play this year.

[thylacine550]

win or lose, it's so great to hear a politician at his level just talk in a normal, conversational voice- eschewing semi-theatrical delivery and rhetoric. not a hint of pretension. lovin' it.

[bluegreen]

Aw, shucks.

I feel like I just got a Hallmark card!

It's good, though. Way to go!

[wutzhappn]

I see a floating cross in the background, and a virgin mary too...

[LeftHandedBrain]

Still not over Hillary's loss, are you?

That's all right. Hope you feel better tomorrow.

[Graywolf48]

I'm a cynical old S.O.B. that has been a member of the working class all my life. I'm a white male, and a Viet Nam veteran. I'm college educated and well read and I like to believe I'm not easily taken in by smarmy politicians and BS artists. I think I'm pretty "middle American". I live in the foothills of Appalachia, in Southeastern Ohio. I like this ad and I like the message and my gut tells me Obama will be good for America. It took me awhile, Obama was not my first choice. The more I see of this man, the more I like him. Is he perfect? No. Is he the Messiah that will make everything in America good again? No. But, he's a damn good start and a hell of a lot better than what we've had since Reagan. McCain doesn't measure up in any capacity. Obama offers hope and a can do attitude. I hope Obama gets to take the oath of office in January. I know I for one will work to help get him there and will be cheering him on.

[Margij]

Kudos to you GraywolF!

[Scytherius]

I have a very similar background and path to get to supporting Obama. Nice.

[MsDoc]

I've read some of your previous posts and have respected your thoughtfulness. This post says very well what the entire election is about...an­d underscores realities.

I cannot help but feel that the very fabric of our nation is at stake, and I feel hopeful ( a little bit at least ) that Obama will try to bring us back on track to being a nation that the world community can respect and trust...an­d maybe even we can respect and trust.

[PDXer]

Nicely said.

[peacefulsusan]

Wow! What a thoughtful comment. We need you in Ohio. Thank you.

[gotborked]

A very cunning and well calculated ad...

Obama's campaign knows that his textbook-liberalism stands to be a major turn-off for Americans that are independant voters, but hold "traditional American values."

Stating that he holds these values and loves his country is exactly what Obama needed to say to make these voters question reality. This is because if people just looked at his actions, policies, and record, they would realize that, in reality, Obama is diametrically opposed to these values.