Reviews: TV critics praise Obama ad

On Wednesday night Barack Obama faced one of his toughest audiences yet: the nation's TV critics.

Reviews of his infomercial say the candidate managed to pull off a strong half-hour of political messaging. Of course, critics are usually subjected to NBC's "Knight Rider" and CBS sitcoms in this time period, so Obama wasn't exactly kicking "Mad Men" off the air.

The verdicts...

"Obama uses his TV time well ... There was talk about tough issues but no harsh attacks on the other side and no flashes of anger. It was if the campaign had adopted a new political mantra: Speak softly and carry a big ad." -- USA Today

"As political filmmaking, 'Barack Obama: American Stories' was an elegant combination of pictures, sounds, voices and music designed not so much to sell America on Barack Obama as to communicate a sensibility. The film conveyed feelings, not facts -- specifically, a simulation of how it would feel to live in an America with Barack Obama in the White House. The tone and texture recalled the 'morning in America' campaign film made on behalf of Ronald Reagan, a work designed to give the audience a sense of security and satisfaction; things are going to be all right." -- Tom Shales, Washington Post

"There was barely a whisper of negativity in the half hour, but the almost Palinesque call to self-reliance that ran through the show from start to finish undercut both the GOP vice presidential candidate's and McCain's complaints that Obama's big-government philosophy borders on socialism ... Without a wild-eyed college kid in sight, the youthful candidate made his pitch not for change into some newfangled tomorrow, but back to the values of the past. He certainly lost nothing from the infomercial, and it's likely he found more than a few buyers." -- Jonathan Storm, Philadelphia Inquirer

More....

"Every few minutes, Obama would re-establish intimacy with the viewer, addressing the camera to tick off a few more action items for his first term in office. These have been recited countless times in 30-second TV ads, but as they stacked up throughout the program, they acquired a kind of momentum that's simply not possible in a conventional commercial." -- Aaron Barnhart, Kansas City Star

"It didn't have the cadence and drive of earlier speeches; the crowd didn't immediately respond to every phrase with all it had (though it built). Maybe it was getting late in the day, certainly late in the 20 month campaign. Maybe you can't come in at the end of a speech and get its full effect. It wound up with some of that speechifyin' sweep we've been expecting but no big finale. Also: No credits and no scenes from next week's episode. Because next week, he'll either be the next elected president, or he won't." -- Roger Catlin, Hartford Courant

"Obama also can expect some zingers for speaking frequently during the ad from a setting evocative of the Oval Office (except for the wood paneling). Backdrops have been problematic for his campaign -- the columns that framed his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention were subjected to ridicule. The Oval Office motif will fuel McCain charges that Obama is taking for granted the outcome of Tuesday's election. And there was the Great Seal of Obama he used on the lectern one time. Then again, if he was taking victory for granted, why pay for 30 minutes of prime-time television?" -- LA Times

"And he looked presidential when the wheat -- I swear, the infomercial opened with acres and acres of wheat -- was doing what wheat does, waving over those oh-so-golden plains. This was 30 minutes of high-class production values, which told you little that you didn't know before but which offered you 30 minutes of feeling comfortable watching Obama from your living room, 30 minutes of campaign speech and autobiography and touching photos with his kids and with his mom." -- Rocky Mountain News

ALSO: The AP fact check .... Politico's pundits roundtable ... Video: The full infomercial ... NY Post: Infomercial pitchman gives the ad high marks ... McCain responds

UPDATE: The ad's ratings are coming in. Obama beats "Knight Rider" and Ross Perot!

Previous: Obama ad will have live portion ... "Pushing Daisies" creator Fuller on competing with Obama ad ... CNN rejected Obama ad; Fox News not asked ... Thoughts on "The Obama Show" ... Obama buys half-hour of network primetime.

Comments

[Jeremy]

Are you honestly surprised? I mean I'm not one to say that the media is entirely liberal but three guesses on who these critics are voting for and the first two don't count. If you want real news about his ad why don't you check the AP wire about how unrealistic all of Mr. Obama's promises were.

[JH]

The AP fact check is already linked at bottom of the post

[byron]

And of course the righties blame the media for being liberal.

Tell me, isn't the media SUPPOSED TO BE LIBERAL??? The very definition of Liberal is *FREE FROM BIAS*

[Dan Ullmer]

Great leaders set a direction and a theme we want to belief in. The specifics of their programs and promises are less important then the support of the people they win to move our nation in the right direction. The leader that can bring into focus the nation we want to be is the leader people will want to follow, and elect. I think Obama has hit the bulls eye with this program for a majority of Americans. Attach, smear, and fear campaigns provide no vision of the future we want to embrace.

[Atlanta Media Guy]

I find it funny how when someone who has a different opinion about a thought or idea that Obama has and expresses it, it's considered a smear.

-Obama's people illegally accessed information on a person who asked a question.

-We're still waiting for more thorough Medical History on Obama, not the 296 word glance that has been provided. I bet he has emphysema like his dad had since he smokes.

-We're still waiting for him to author one legislative bill in Congress, sorry letters to Paulson do not count.

-He told us Ayers was just a guy in his neighborhood, now we're getting the REAL story on that issue.

-He and Biden told us that he had nothing to do with ACORN, now we are finding out his campaign gave an affiliate $800,000, he provided legal and trained volunteers and now the big one his campaign gave ACORN donor lists.

-We are finding out he enjoyed his friendships with known socialists and marxists. This one scares me.

-The LA Times is withholding a video that mght make Obama look bad. What are they trying to hide.

-I prefer to know more about this guy this week instead of next week if he gets elected.

I watched and it was simple propaganda. If this country is so bad, why hasn't he done more... anything to make it better while an Illinois legislator or in Congress for 150 days.

I like to think our media would do more to teach us about "That One" but they're all voting for him.

[Kevin]

What a difference. I am sooooo looking forward to seeing Obama in my families living room every night. What a change from having to look at the Texas Devil from the past 8 years!!

[Chicago Media Gal]

Folks you all have got to have more common sense than this really. Everything you just stated came straight from a McCain campaign ad--no facts all bull. I have literally seen the work and impact Obama has had on folks before he even made it to the Senate. He is very true to what he is saying...he is all about the American people (all ethnicities and cultures and socio economic status). This wasn't just an informercial, this is a testimony of this man's real life. He is not a Marxist, Socialist, Communist, etc...you don't even know him but you believe this crap you read, and take it as fact. Talk to folks who really know the man, then judge him otherwise. Believing in McCain as if he is the word of God and any man like him will get you in a world of confusion and disillusionment. You know nothing of Obama, nothing at all, ask yourself if he wasn't doing anything beneficial and powerful in Washington, how in the world did he get to the point of possibly being your president. This man worked from the grassroots up to get to where he is. From Chicago to the White House...he has done more in this short period of time and has been trusted by more folks who populate the City of Chicago and the State of ILLinois than Palin in the whole state of Alaska, with her pregnant teenage daughter (who really doesn't know the father of her child). Obama must be doing more things right than "liberal" to have gotten to where he's at. It's amazing how you call the media biased when really its working in "That Other One"s favor more than anything. There is more negative judgement via the media on Obama than McCain has experienced for the past 20 months. If you can take the time to type the bull I just read, then take that same time to listen and read, as Obama has been as specific as he should be on these matters-Ayers, Acorn, and other crap that has been thrown out there that has nothing to do with fixing this mucked up economy and now divided country do to McCains constant personal insults and racially charged attacks on Obama. If Obama was a white man, you know good and well you wouldn't complain at all. You'd switch parties and vote for him.

[LUZ]

IT WAS VERY TUOCHING, I DID REALLY CRY

[janvanwerth]

The people who endlessly repeat the lies put forth about Obama by Limbaugh and his ilk and by the McCain campaign show that they have no clue about how the world works--and where that can lead us is frighteningly demonstrated by the mess the Bush administration leaves behind. DO they really believe that the good people of Illinois would elect to the senate a Marxist/Terrorist/Murderer? Do they really believe that someone as conservative as Chuck Hagle would endorse such a person? Do they really believe that the Newspapers who endorsed Obama want a new Communist America? Wake up, there is a world outside, and if you want to play a role in it, you'd better start by trying to understand it.

[Sarah]

The ad was great. It was focused on the very real struggles of very real Americans. It rang true to the people I know and the stuff they are going through, then Obama went through the specifics of his plan, which are like a frickin' life raft, as far as I can tell. Seriously, if McCain gets elected, I expect 20% unemployment in this country within one year.

[Annie]

I work in the Film & Television Business as probably many of you do as well; I did not see the info-campaign-mercial - but it all sounds creative to me. Obama has become the actor on the stage with his lines well scripted. I don't mean to be so harsh, the man is indeed quite eloquent when delivering his lines, but that is all I am hearing - lines from a script.

The Congress Insurance Plan is unaffordable to the majority of Americans; McCain's plan is simply a reasonable credit on your taxes. However unfortunate it may be, America needs a better socialized medicine plan. There’s nothing communist about that!

I'd also like to know more about Acorn. I was for Hillary, and during the Texas primary, I heard this quote from a primary judge - "There are Obama people all over the county - not from Texas - rounding up people to caucus for Obama... Their tactics are questionable and possibly illegal." Our conversation continued by discussing the various incentives - such as money, etc. that was given to these rounded up caucus people.

I've always wondered if they were Acorn people. Additional tactics were observed at the Travis County convention in which some of these same people - not from Texas - were refusing Hillary delegates to sign in and were stalling pass the time deadline.

I promise that I'm not making any of this up.

I haven't trusted Obama's campaign since then. Some of the people Obama surrounds himself with don't do things legally. It's a darn shame.

Besides, the infomercial cost what @ 3 million? Obama's campaign money raising and spending is the antithesis of what Obama is supposed to be all about. I really want to believe in Obama, but since I’ve been behind the scenes on so many sets, I just can’t.

[Laura Brafton]

Atlanta media guy, Here is a link that lists 152 bills Obama has authored. That's 152 more than the "none" you site. I assume you have Google since you posted here. I put "bills obama has authored" into Google to find the list. It would probably not have been too tough to have found it yourself, one would presume, but it's so much more fun to spread baseless rumors, I guess. The idea that Obama has sponsered no bills is right-wing hogwash. Does it make you wonder what other "facts" you wrong? .

http://you.presscue.com/node/442

[Greg Stone]

Just a terrific job and very effective.

Obama won't get everything right. I've been watching campaignd and voting for almost 50 years and I have the built-in cynacism of an old reporter and editorial writer.

That said, I have never seen a candidate to match Barach Obama for integrity, intelligence, and judgment. Having watched this infomercial - and his whole campaign - I will go the polls for the first time in my life, absolutely enthusiastic about voting for a candidate. Barach Obama is very special.

[John Sutter]

Barack, and the crew he has gathered around him, are incredibly gifted and intelligent, much like Ronald Reagan was. If Barack truly utilizes his talents to use government to benefit the public good, and not just the the special interests that helped elect him, and I believe he will, America will be a so much better place at the end of the next four and/or eight years.

I thought his ad was excellent, uplifting, inclusive, and I think his administration will be also. It will be so nice to have thoughtful intelligence heading our government again.

[John Sutter]

Barack, and the crew he has gathered around him, are incredibly gifted and intelligent, much like Ronald Reagan was. If Barack truly utilizes his talents to use government to benefit the public good, and not just the the special interests that helped elect him, and I believe he will, America will be a so much better place at the end of the next four and/or eight years.

I thought his ad was excellent, uplifting, inclusive, and I think his administration will be also. It will be so nice to have thoughtful intelligence heading our government again.

[Billy G. Suggs]

Well, after reading these reviews I now believe that hypnosis works, at lease with those who are taking Obama at his word.

[RoadScholar]

To "Annie"...

Right. Admit you didn't see Obama's special, and then go on anyway to attack him.

I got an idea: How about you actually watch it, and then tell us what you think? As a person in the television/film business, if you are ever connected with 30 minutes as superb as these, count yourself fortunate indeed. What you WON'T see is: 1) McCain-bashing 2) self-aggrandizement 3) vague promises 4) empty 'line-reading' 5) insincerity 6) truth-stretching... I could go on, but I have a business to run.

I, too, will be voting for Obama with more excitement than I have ever felt for a candidate, and I'm 52.

[Vicky G.]

Give me a family first, multi cultural, head of the Harvard Law Review, grass roots grown, single mother raised President over the closed minded, closed doored, secretive, banal, average intelligence, daddy issue stricken arrogance of the last eight years and I'll be happy. As a recently laid off television executive who has seen my business pounded to dust during this Republican, no legislation, no rules administration I say Praise the Lord! Bring on Obama! Change is a coming.

[skyreader7]

Republicans can't admit that their unfettered rule was a complete disaster. And McCain? Admits he knows nothing about economics. Definitely knows nothing about picking a running mate. Yet millions of idiots will vote for him. Bush III will go down in a flaming and deserved defeat on November 4th.

[Vee Dub]

It's been nearly two years of Republicans beating up Republicans, Democrats beating up on Democrats, and the Dems and the GOP beating up on each other. I hope all sides can get past the anger and rancor and come together on November 5.

After such a long, drawn-out campaign season, THAT is the change we need.

[John Storms]

empathy, respect, understanding of the problems of all Americans, specific ideas for addressing those problems,hope for the future, belief in helping others as well as being responsible and accountable for ourselves, an understanding of one's own imperfection and willingness to admit it.... These are great American qualities.

A wonderful piece of positive campaigning. If B is just 50% as real as he seems, we may just heal and find America again!

[Jay]

Atlanta Media Guy, Marxist and Socialist scare you?! Please open a book, then read it. Stop listening to the McCain soundbites and use the reasoning skills you (should) have. I can respect "let the free market solve it"/"trickle down"/"every one for himself" brand of politics (it's a free country after all) but this recycled hysteria has got to stop!

Um, I just read the AP fact check as suggested and all it says is there's a chance that Obama's plans could not work and any president is gonna catch hell from this deficit we've got, so why was I told to read that? And whywould that be a reason to vote for McCainPain?

I forgot the last "L" on purpose.

[Kim, Arizona]

I really enjoyed watching Obama's infomercial last night. My husband and daughter enjoyed it too! I too am looking forward to seeing Obama on a regular basis giving Americans the truth as well as showing us the way to more opportunity in this country. He'll save our reputation around the world too...you just watch! I didn't need his infomercial since I've already voted for him (and so have many of my family members)but just as well....I like hearing regularly what he will do to open up doors for Americans.

[Ted Kobernick]

As I watched the 30 minute ad, the realization grew on me that this man has a unified vision for America: it is based upon compassion and good sense, focused upon getting us all involved in a renewal, not just of our economy, but of our self-image as Americans.
At the same time, I realized more and more that McCain has never expressed a unified vision. His campaign has been accused of being "tactical." What this means to me is that he approaches each political crisis as it comes, resulting in a patchwork of unrelated "ideas" and a series of unwarranted attacks on Obama.
This was a good ad. It was a "closing argument" in the sense that instead of breaking new ground, it summed up the entire Obama campaign.

[Audrey]

The infomercial was very moving, well crafted delivered and I do view it as the final argument! I have to ask the people on hear against Obama for the smears, and lies. What does John McCain really offer? What has he told you that's real? Lies, distractions, the same fear and smear campaign run by Bushites including Karl rove. He's using a lot of the same people, tactics as Bush did in 2000 & 2004. He's been throwing a huge campaign tantrum in America's face. You wanna know about relationships okay let's be fair. Let's start with his 1st wife Carol, then 2nd wife Cindy and the women he flaunted in the middle. Let's talk about the date he filed for license to marry Cindy then the date of divorce from Carole. Let's talk credibility, a woman who stood by him versus how he put her away for a younger healthier model. Let's talk RNC 1/2 million dollar donation to the PLO org that was run by Kalidi and the Chair person was McCain. Hmm what's worse. If we're gonna open the can let's not just watch a tape let's look at McCain's affilitions. Has anyone noticed McCain seems to place his past issues on Obama's head as if to make them stick. When you dig deeper you find this stuff in the history of John McCain not Barack Obama. What about McCain's meeting with terrorist, his campaign manager who is a fannie mae lobbyist to McCain's Senate office. Both campaigns have people who work for fannie mae listed as contributors. McCain was until last month a supporter of ACORN. See what I mean the rubber glue effect! To sum it all up the Infomercial was awesome! McCain was on CNN getting free coverage although they refused Obama they gave McCain time for free and he did his usual. Waste America's time throwing a temper tantrum about "That One"! No policies just rants as normal

[Jason]

I loved it and I'm a long time Republican. McCain lost me about three weeks ago when he started to attack attack attack. When a candidate does what McCain is doing now, it tells me he has nothing to offer, or is afraid to tell the people what he is really about. I watched Obama Last night and he won my vote.

My first Republican vote was for Richard M Nixon, yep "Old Tricky Dicky", my next vote will be for a young black man. That folks is saying a lot for a white Mississippi Republican. We need special leadership in these difficult times and I believe Barak Obama is that special leadership.

[shamed]

Ashamed and emmbarresed! We-my brothers,sisters,wives spouses and childern gathered for what we thought to be a comedy show last night. I had planned the get together as a family event weeks before the Obama ad was known to me. Today all 16 of us voted Obama after removing all of our mcshame yard signs! We discovered
that voting for the a man was better than voting for a party without direction !

[Jason]

I loved it and I'm a long time Republican. McCain lost me about three weeks ago when he started to attack attack attack. When a candidate does what McCain is doing now, it tells me he has nothing to offer, or is afraid to tell the people what he is really about. I watched Obama Last night and he won my vote.

My first Republican vote was for Richard M Nixon, yep "Old Tricky Dicky", my next vote will be for a young black man. That folks is saying a lot for a white Mississippi Republican. We need special leadership in these difficult times and I believe Barak Obama is that special leadership.

[Audrey]

The infomercial was very moving, well crafted delivered and I do view it as the final argument! I have to ask the people on hear against Obama for the smears, and lies. What does John McCain really offer? What has he told you that's real? Lies, distractions, the same fear and smear campaign run by Bushites including Karl rove. He's using a lot of the same people, tactics as Bush did in 2000 & 2004. He's been throwing a huge campaign tantrum in America's face. You wanna know about relationships okay let's be fair. Let's start with his 1st wife Carol, then 2nd wife Cindy and the women he flaunted in the middle. Let's talk about the date he filed for license to marry Cindy then the date of divorce from Carole. Let's talk credibility, a woman who stood by him versus how he put her away for a younger healthier model. Let's talk RNC 1/2 million dollar donation to the PLO org that was run by Kalidi and the Chair person was McCain. Hmm what's worse. If we're gonna open the can let's not just watch a tape let's look at McCain's affilitions. Has anyone noticed McCain seems to place his past issues on Obama's head as if to make them stick. When you dig deeper you find this stuff in the history of John McCain not Barack Obama. What about McCain's meeting with terrorist, his campaign manager who is a fannie mae lobbyist to McCain's Senate office. Both campaigns have people who work for fannie mae listed as contributors. McCain was until last month a supporter of ACORN. See what I mean the rubber glue effect! To sum it all up the Infomercial was awesome! McCain was on CNN getting free coverage although they refused Obama they gave McCain time for free and he did his usual. Waste America's time throwing a temper tantrum about "That One"! No policies just rants as normal

[Michael Deane]

Annie:

Maugham reminded us that the gift of speech is not necessarily accompanied by the power of thought. That jumped out at me when I read your email.

So do you always speak or write without actually observing something first hand? The putdown of Obama's performance without actually seeing the infomercial is pretty bad but the Acorm comments take the proverbia cake. You heard a judge in Texas? Like where did you hear this? And how is it you remember everything so perfectly but really do not know what Acorn is?

Let me take a guess: you are a mindless PUMA, a frustrated and moronic Hillary supporter who cares to comment on things you clearly know nothing about.

Obama reciting lines from a script? The man has written two best selling books and I should remind you, perhaps the most important political speech of your lifetime: his Philadelphia speech on race. This stands in stark contrast to both McCain and Clinton, both of whom had their books ghostwritten.

Which campaign are you watching anyway? McCain is the one who has to have cue cards so he can remember what his message is that particular day. He also needs Joe Lieberman standing over his shoulder so he can be reminded of the difference between sunni and shia.

And the Acorn reference is priceless. You want to know more even though you recited the Limbaugh/Hannity talking points perfectly.

Why is it that I don't believe you when you say you want to know more. The internet is out there with both reliable and unreliable sources. It is up to you to figure out who is telling the truth or not.

Acorn is a community organization trying to empower poor and middle income families through voting registration, housing assistance and so forth. They hired some people to register voters. It is important to remember that they only registered voters, some of whom turned out to be invalid. The point is that these people have not yet voted so there is no voter fraud. The only fraud being perpetuated is that of the Republicans who are trying to disenfranchise voters like they did in 2000 and 2004.

You are a walking talking example of election year ignorance. And stupidity has its consequences...

[Audrey]

The infomercial was very moving, well crafted delivered and I do view it as the final argument! I have to ask the people on hear against Obama for the smears, and lies. What does John McCain really offer? What has he told you that's real? Lies, distractions, the same fear and smear campaign run by Bushites including Karl rove. He's using a lot of the same people, tactics as Bush did in 2000 & 2004. He's been throwing a huge campaign tantrum in America's face. You wanna know about relationships okay let's be fair. Let's start with his 1st wife Carol, then 2nd wife Cindy and the women he flaunted in the middle. Let's talk about the date he filed for license to marry Cindy then the date of divorce from Carole. Let's talk credibility, a woman who stood by him versus how he put her away for a younger healthier model. Let's talk RNC 1/2 million dollar donation to the PLO org that was run by Kalidi and the Chair person was McCain. Hmm what's worse. If we're gonna open the can let's not just watch a tape let's look at McCain's affilitions. Has anyone noticed McCain seems to place his past issues on Obama's head as if to make them stick. When you dig deeper you find this stuff in the history of John McCain not Barack Obama. What about McCain's meeting with terrorist, his campaign manager who is a fannie mae lobbyist to McCain's Senate office. Both campaigns have people who work for fannie mae listed as contributors. McCain was until last month a supporter of ACORN. See what I mean the rubber glue effect! To sum it all up the Infomercial was awesome! McCain was on CNN getting free coverage although they refused Obama they gave McCain time for free and he did his usual. Waste America's time throwing a temper tantrum about "That One"! No policies just rants as normal

[jack]

There may come a time when the such phrases as the media are biased, the Dems are socialists, tax and spend, anti-American, not a true patriot, etc are replaced with earnest discussions on issues.

But it probably won't be in my lifetime.

Still I wonder: Those phrases don't seem to have the oomph they used to have. Are we seeing the decline and fall of empty rhetoric? Or is the state of the economy temporarily trumping all the usual BS?

[Fred]

"Obama's people illegally accessed information on a person who asked a question."

Who are Obama's people? And what access do they have? This is just another lie by another idiot. He lies about Obama's health, he lies about ACORN - he lies about Obama's relationships to "marxists and socialists" - which concerns the poster - though he doesn't say why! - this is why Republicans will lose - they have nothing but lies and inuendos - mostly very weak ones - almost always based on tenuous connections to innocent people - the one thing that republicans NEVER do is argue with Obama on the facts: he's laid out the plans for his administration very clearly - for some reason, republicans hear everything but what the man has to say...

hopefully, most of us wo't be that stupid...

[Brandon]

Obama will be the most beloved, intelligent, thoughtful and decent president this country has ever had. God bless him and his family, and may he find the strength every day to right the wrongs of the Bush/Cheney/Neocon parasites that drove our economy into the ground.

[WisconsinRed]

Did anyone catch Chris Matthews slobbering over this ad? What happened to objective reporting? So how much do I have to make before my taxes go up? $200,000, $150,000, $***,***? I expected Billy Mays or that guy selling the Sham-Wow to pop out..
Here is an EXCELLENT article about media bias, from ABC news, no less!
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=6099188&page=1

[Typical American]

I'll be honest. I am not voting for Obama for one reason. It's because he's black. I don't like blacks and I don't trust them. They are dangerous and stupid. They have poor morals. I am a proud Republican, a proud Conservative and a proud American. It is wonderful to know that so many other true Americans agree with me. We must stop the blacks and mongrel races from stealing our country. Think of the founding fathers. Were any blacks there when the Constitution was written? Let us return to the traditions that made America great. Join me and other true Americans in drawing a line in the sand and keeping this mongrel and his Muslim brethren from invading our White House. VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN ON NOVEMBER 4TH.

[BAMMER]

AFTER LOOKING INTO THE EYES OF AYERS, REZKO, WRIGHT, AND KHALIDI, WHAT WILL BARACK OBAMA SEE IN THE EYES OF AHMADINEJAD, CASTRO, PUTIN, AND CHAVEZ.

THE STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS HAS BECOME THE "STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS FREIGHT TRAIN" IN THE POLLS, PEAKING AT THE PERFECT TIME.

[FloridaGator]

I thought it was a good ad that focused on what we all as Americans have in common and want to strive toward for our country. I was previously undecided (kind of swaying Obama) before the ad, but I will now place my vote for Obama. He brings so much hope to the table and has the ability to inspire and unite our country again. I find that McCain has worn out his attacks over the past few weeks in order to make up for him having no real plan whatsoever. I respect him for his service, I'm a Gulf War vet myself, but his campaign of late has been anything but respectful and has only brought out the worst elements of our society.

[Lilo]

Free speech, the country of opportunities, no socialistic nonsense.
I grew up in a socialistic Country. I have lived through this!!!
Oh, you have no Idée what the future will bring if Obama and the Dems take control.
The words are just so familiar.
I came to the good old USA,because I was starving for FREEDOM!!
I love this Country. This is the best Country in the World. Don’t let anyone ruin everything we have, and don't ruin our Children’s future.
Do we need to change this country? Yes we do. But we don’t have to go the socialistic way.
I beg you not to vote for Obama. I’m not a racist. I have many friends from all over the world. I’m just concerned about you and me.