Campaign AdWatch: Reagan Reprise Deployed By Creator Against McCain

In 1980, Jeff Goodby took a moment from Ronald Reagan's debate performance and turned these words into an iconic advertisement and a cultural referent for political junkies that has lasted three decades:

"Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago? Is America as respected throughout the world as it was? If you don't think that this course that we've been on for the last four years is what you would like to see us follow for the next four, then I could suggest another choice that you have."

Now, Marc Ambinder is reporting that Goodby, who's since brought the world those ubiquitous "Got Milk?" ads, is bringing "better off" back -- but he's working on the other side of the fence now, using the words of McCain's hero against him.

Comments

[LeRoiEstMort]

As lovely and powerful as this video may be, Progressive Future is merely a PIRG/Environment America/Fund For Public Interest Research/Doug Phelps ponzi scheme.

Adam Lioz, their Program Director, is nothing more than a snake-oil salesman.

Be warned, DO NOT DONATE TO PROGRESSIVE FUTURE.

[research]

Says YOU.

I see no evidence to support your claim.

Adam Lioz, and Progressive Future come up clean in a search.

[Terriac]

One of the best ads of the election.

[monyae]

please!!!!!!!! where is this ad playing, how many times? we need this ad!!!!!!!!!

[Yola]

By far, the best ad I have seen in this election season!

[Diogenis]

CHANGE! So we can have more than "change" in our pockets!

[owlsocks]

I absolutely LOVE that ad!

[athenasword]

Excellent!!!!!

This is a good one for sharing! I see it being especially useful to help nudge those Republicans who just can't bring themselves to vote for McCain but have not yet committed to voting Obama.

"Got Barack?"

[Mr Grey]

Sweet!

[HonorJusticeTruth]

If Barack Obama had the low standards of honesty John McCain has, we would see a modernized version of the Johnson-Goldwater "Daisy" ad in prime time Sunday night. But Senator Obama would not consider that honorable.

However, the truth is, John McCain's solution to global problems is a military one, and his solution to national problems is to ignore them.

VOTE Tuesday, and vote for the candidate of honor.

[Senzasord]

Are you better off than you were four years ago is an interesting question but is not the most important one at this time. The real question is

"Will you be better off four years from now than you are at this point?"

That is the question we will answer Tuesday.

[charlesevanshughes]

Excellent. Obama should have canned the infomercial and paid for this to run repeatedly in PA, VA, OH, and FL. Truly a deal-sealer.

[ThinkCreeps]

He has the time and money to do both.

[BigVic]

Thanks Ronnie! Rest In Peace...

We will on Nov 5th!

Obama/Biden 08

[DaBluAce]

love it

[Kevinik]

Well done! This ad bring back memories.

[bob8788]

That ad is so awesome, reagan's voice is huanting and obama infront of the flag is powerful, WOW , I am going to post that on my blog

http://www.barackobamacans.blogspot.com/