Obama's Super Bowl Ad

Barack Obama just made himself part of Super Bowl Sunday, running a campaign ad in over 20 states voting next week. A national Super Bowl ad costs over $2.5 million, but Fox refused to run any such ads for presidential campaigns, citing FCC rules that restrict favoritism. So the Obama Campaign plunked down for local ads to get over the hurdle.

The ad features Obama calling on football fans and voters to unite and end the war, fight fear and division, renew the economy and stand up for "something new." It ends with a plea from Obama's speech that "the world as it is is not the world as it has to be." For her part, Hillary Clinton has said she hopes the "New York" teams win on Sunday and Tuesday.

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Comments

[fcrooster]

Here in Colorado--where we overwhelmingly supported Obama at our caucus--I actually tuned in to the Super Bowl hoping to see an Obama ad. Considering those other dumb ads, his would have been a welcome addition. Ads are part of the American tradition of television. It's a shame Fox said "No." As a football fan, I was rooting for the underdog, New York Giants, and they won. As an American, I'm rooting for underdog, Barack Obama. Wow, isn't this part of what American story is all about too?!?

[ButterflyWeed]

Inserting a wake-up about the war to those vegging out in front of the tube on game day was a good idea.

[MyThought]

I find it tacky and opportunistic to say the least. People work hard, have to listen to politics and the wrongs of the world day in day out - a couple of hours watching the game without stupid political ads would be nice.

So much for caring for those who would enjoy a couple of hours without this crap.

Turned me right off.

[SJH]

I'm a strong Obama supporter but I think that ad was way too vague and fluffy. Perhaps it will help garner him votes, and I guess that if ads are gonna appeal to the emotional side, I'd prefer Obama's (appealing to warm, nice feelings) than the Bush-Cheney-Rove model (appealing to our reptilian brains: fear, fear, fear). But I think Obama is likeable and charismatic and inspiring enough just when he's himself without having his handlers turn him into Crusader Rabbit or the new Mssiah or the Prince or Peace or whatever.

[Wil]

Excellent!

[lovethesinner]

Coming off a HUGE upset win by the underdog Giants, this ad will really resonate. Especially because of the use of Obama's voice over the crowd noise.

Is this the "Year of the Underdog

"GObama!

P.S. I was rooting for Eli, too. (What a week he's going to have!)

[PeaceChristBwithU]

This is a very effective ad for one reason. The early ads for the Obama campaign had a narrator telling you why Obama was a great candidate, and they were good, but you were left with the impression that the energy of the campaign didn't carry over well to advertising. Then, you had the ads where famous and notable people said that Obama was great and this helped, because they answered Clinton's allegations that he didn't have experience. Finally, though the campaign figured out that placing excepts of speeches in the ads gave such energy and vitality to a dying artform - the 30 second tv spot. And someone else figured out how to make the visual of the ad modern and vital - so you just weren't watching a speech, you were hearing a speech and seeing the problems and solutions Obama was talking about. Really, really good. I pray that it will be enough on Tuesday. Our tired world need this.

[cynara]

I like Barack and I generally like his ads. But this one was a bit more fluffy and vague than usual, too much so for my taste. But judging from the other comments, maybe I'm the exception.

[PaulMoeller]

Obama wins no matter what - He's a giant and he's a patriot!

[ProgressiveNotLiberal]

FOX is chicken! But we already knew that. And that is a great inspiring ad.
By the way, in the general campaign Obama can hit McCain for the fact that he didn't read the NIE before voting to send us to war in Iraq. Hillary can't because she didn't read the NIE either. Talk about a talking point in favor of Obama!

[vbond]

Great ad... the last scene is stunning.

[bethinCary]

What an AMAZING ad!

Very uplifting.
Love it.
Like the "Yes we can" song too.

[KaAp]

Wonderful wonderful ad ... I am pumped up and ready for Obama's presidency

[pollster08]

YAY! This is wonderrful news no matter what! At least it will be shown locally in most of the Feb 5 states!