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

[terramartom]

EXCELLANT!!!!
America needs to see this all over the TV screen everyday until the Election!

[anopenmind]

I love it!! I think Ronald Reagan would be disgusted by what has happen to the Republican Party!

By the way, wasn't Reagan a Celebrity and a Great Communicator!

Republicans for Obama ’08

[Oregon Ivy]

It's only fitting that the man who started this whole "Trickle Down" myth helps to undo the mess it caused.

'Bout time!

[smark]

Great, effective ad!!!

[OrbitOfOurOwn]

This is a GREAT ad. The problem is that it will not appeal to today's republicans. This latest breed of republican only recognizes Reagan in name and have perverted his ideals. They have taken the party and its policies into a netherworld of hate and despair and religious obsession.

Having said that - if there are any undecided independents out there (and I just can'[t believe they have not made up their minds) then this might just sway them.

Get it on TV!

[kjstjohn]

It might appeal to some Reagan Democrats I know.

[MaryanneAZ]

A wonderful and moving ad. Go Obama!!!

[krompessor]

Best Ad I've seen all year.....t­his is a knock out punch, hope to see it on my tv soon.

[situationcritical]

To quote a very famous fake presidential candidate:

"That's hot!"

[myna]

Wow!

Must ... air ... now!

[JohnGaltSpeaking]

The world will begin to change only when you are ready to pronounce this oath:
I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for the sake of mine.

Mr. Obama is a Marxist. It shows in his off-the-cuff statements, and in the people with whom and in the policies with which he has surrounded himself for years.

The “wealthy” of this nation (who by the way are also the producers of most of our goods, services and jobs) will remain “wealthy” precisely because they will continue to do the things that made them wealthy in the first place, and will find ways to protect their assets from the draconian tax policies of an Obama Administration. If this calls for such measures as cutting jobs in order to keep their businesses financially healthy, they will do so. They will have to.

From whom then will the Obama Administration extract the necessary taxes with which to pay for their social engineering? The floor for their tax hike has already dropped from $250k to $200k (Mr. Obama said both of these figures in the last debate), to now $150k, per Mr. Biden.

You are next. I am next. We all are. Believe it. Protect your assets now.

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
– Ben Franklin

[VexedInTheCity]

The question isn't if Obama is a Marxist... because that answer is plainly no.

The question is, how much of the stuff in your house is your own and not being financed in some way?

read this http://vexedinthecity.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/if-you-make-less-money-than-me-you-want-wealth-redistributed/

Then ask yourself if you couldn't use just a little relief so that you could actually own your life and not lease it from your creditors.

[karmafriend]

bull pucky!

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1027/p16s01-wmgn.html

[smark]

Lies, all LIES. McCain & Palin have nothing but LIES left!!! Such great Christians! HYPOCRITES!!!

[revko]

JohnGaltRattles:

"I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man..."

How does one live such a lonely and inconsequential life?

[PG]

The poster's name says it all, but guess what...

Ayn Rand is dead and discredited; she remains the hero only of woefully ignorant college freshman who haven't yet learned what a social contract entails. John Galt is fiction, as is the assertion that Barack Obama is a Marxist.

Wake up, come out from under your rock, and join the real world. There is work to do.

[unity08]

Ouch!

[SuzyQ08]

This is ad is excellent. it's the perfect response to the way Palin has been using Reagan's name in her speeches. Very effective.

[thpreader]

Perfect!

[karmafriend]

LMAO!

'tis the season for spooking and that is sure to send chills up the spines of many republicans.

Thank You, Mr. Goodby!

[glaze]

One-Two Punch-
1) This ad.
2) The new one with McCain quotes and tape of Winky- winkin'.