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

[jadez]

sweet.

[thecanadian]

Excellent & Positive Ad. What a nice change from all the negatives the Reps are passing around.!

[Margij]

Yes, what a welcome change. I am so tired of negative ads.

[white mende man]

Not to ruffle anyone's feathers but I feel about Barak Obama the same way I felt about Ronald Reagan. It's amazing how faith can give us someone that is capable of pulling the United States out of the brink time and time again. Yes I was a Reagan Republican, and I am ashamed of where the Republican party has taken this great country of ours. I voted for Kerry and I am proud to have done so.

[NoneyaBizniss]

It's morning in American again - dang right! GObama!

[barackobama4prez]

thanks for that. we have to remember there are lots of republicans hurting just like democrats.

[obamanation31]

This is very optimistic ad. It makes me want to run in the field of flowers.

[erichitchmo]

Bravo! Loved it.

[skyreader7]

Great message. Great delivery. Great ad. He's a natural.

[NotPC]

Notice that he is wearing his "cute" little flag pin! He really stood his ground on that issue, didn't he? I also noticed today that he has lied to you folks once again.....­...he said months ago he wasn't going to opt out of federal financing for his campaign - but today he did. He really makes it quite difficult to trust him.

[DemMD]

Trying to divert attention away from John McLiar, are you? Nice try. Actually, I take it back, that was pretty pathetic to be honest.

[white mende man]

Damned if he does damned if he doesn't. what's your point? Are you ashamed or afraid that he could look "PATRIOTIC"?

[poppaculture]

Oh, NotPC, do I sense a tinge of envy? Clawing away may make you feel better, but only in the short run. Correct your head.

[FreeSpeech200854]

You're complaining because he chose NOT to use tax payers money for his campaign! You're an idiot or a Republican­...which by the way is basically the same thing!!

[RDinLondon]

Essentially, in getting donations for 1.5 million donors, he is receiving public funding. He has tried to vet donations and return those from PACS, which was the point of taking public funds, i.e. not being in debt to lobbyists. He will instead be accountable to the voters and those that donated to his campaign.

Why would, or should, he limit himself merely because Sen McCain and the GOP are not doing as well in regards to fundraising?

[DevilAdvocate]

very nice. everyone set it to friends, family and all the social network websites!!!

[MaracaKabob]

Damn, is he a handsome man. Inside and out.

[tattery202]

What?
He didn't say I should be afraid because of 9/11?
He didn't say the only way to show your patriotism is to wear a flag lapel pin?
He didn't say that war is good?
He didn't say the only good Amurkin is a christian Amurkin?

I don't kow, this whole change thing is going to take some getting used to.

[kellygrrrl]

I'm really scared.
what if we actually have to make CHOICES????

[DenveRockwell]

What if those choices have to be made on ISSUES and not on BULLSHIT?

/head explodes

[MsDoc]

Choices??? What means this word "Choices?" You mean we might have to...oh it hurts...th­ink?

[ATFIllinois]

No, that's Rudy. NOUN, VERB, 9/11!!

[fivecard]

Nice ad.

[PuaTahiti]

Wonderful ad!

[eXcommunicate]

I'm not a big fan of, "apple pie and little league" campaign ads. They seem somehow underwhelming and disingenuous, no matter how down-to-earth the candidate really is. It just smacks of pandering. I'm saying this as an Obama supporter since 2004. :)

[white mende man]

No you're not. Who in the add his he pandering to by telling us his life's story and thereby depriving the liars from deceiving the public about who Barak Obama really is and what he stands for?

[Just2Fitz]

Let him get his name out there with this nice ad and then the more prolific ads will appear.

--Just 2 Fitz

[clearthinker2008]

What kinds of ads do you like?

[ethearch]

The Republicans really didn't want to run against Obama, and the reason is they knew they would be facing ads like this one. I truly believe that once the saturation ads start around the country that explode the ridiculous caricatures of him perpetrated by the likes of Rush Limpbaugh, Sean Hannity et al, the support for him will grow; especially among independents.

OBAMA '08

[kimbutgar]

This is a great ad and I hope they show it on faux network, the 24/7 anti-Obama network. Last night I watched Hannity and Colmes for a while and it was anti Obama the entire time I watched. I had to take a shower after watching this show as I was so disgusted by them attacking Barack who is 1000%+ times better than McCain. I look forward to and will be proud to say President Obama is our leader.

[SeekerOne]

What do we know about Sean Hannity? What's his background? Just wondering how he'd hold up under the microscope.

[LeftHandedBrain]

Great analogy! An insect under the microscope. How about under the magnifying glass on a hot day.

Sorry, I really am a pacifist, but I make exceptions to right-wing radio shills.

[BigCatfish]

Score!