NationalJournal.com's Ad Spotlight

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

A Fiscal Focus In Indiana

Filed under Barack ObamaFiled under Television Ad
Posted at 5:14 PM
Click here to watch "Jobs"

Barack Obama is the target of yet another negative ad today, but this one is not coming from Republicans. The American Leadership Project, a 527 group financed almost exclusively by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a union which has endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton, announced today that it is spending $700,000 over the next week to run a TV spot in Indiana calling Obama's economic policy into question.

"Jobs" features ominous music and newspaper headlines that criticize the Illinois senator's economic platform. "The Associated Press reported that Obama's plan to clean up financial markets had 'no specifics,' " an announcer says. "And the Washington Post wrote that what Obama would actually do remains 'a mystery in too many areas.' " In fact, the Post article cited in the ad is an op-ed piece by columnist David Ignatius.

The ad attacks a soft spot for the Obama campaign, as he's struggled to win over working-class white voters. To address that, Obama has retooled his stump speech to focus on the economy while campaigning in Indiana, and he has significantly increased his advertising in the state ahead of the May 6 primary.

The campaign's only new spot running on Hoosier State airwaves, "Fat Cat," shows Obama speaking to a small crowd about his refusal to take money from PACs or lobbyists. "I got into this race to change how business is done in Washington," he tells the crowd. "When I go to the White House, I'm going to be answerable to you. I'm not going to be answerable to a bunch of fat-cat donors."

A similar ad that Obama ran in Pennsylvania bit of trouble and-->started a bitter exchange exchange--> between the two Democratic camps.

Other spots in Obama's Indiana lineup include:

"Enough" (subscription): Obama tells a small crowd that the government needs to stop giving tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs overseas. Debuted in Iowa.

"Join" (subscription): Obama tells supporters that they can help bring change to America and the world. Debuted in Super Tuesday states.

"Need" (subscription): Blames the Bush administration for increasing the gap between corporate America and working Americans. Debuted in New Hampshire.

"One Voice": Features footage of Obama speaking to a large crowd, focusing on a positive message of change. Originally aired in Pennsylvania.

"Opportunity": Debuted in Pennsylvania and links Obama's life story to the American dream.

"Toughest": Touts Obama's work to curb the power of special interests in Washington. Debuted in Super Tuesday states.