2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

New Barack Obama Minnesota Television Ad, "Join"

Obama for Minnesota Launches Statewide Ad Buy

ST. PAUL – The Obama for Minnesota campaign today launched introductory statewide television and radio ads. The ads will educate Minnesotans about the Feb. 5 caucuses and let them learn more about Obama’s vision for bringing change we can believe in.

“Minnesotans see that Barack Obama is the one leader with a plan to turn around our struggling economy and make sure we have good jobs that pay a living wage, the strength to end this war in Iraq, and the ability to bring universal health care to every American,” Obama Campaign Minnesota Co-Chair Rep. Betty McCollum said. “These television and radio spots demonstrate the Obama campaign’s commitment to Minnesota and will give Minnesotans a chance to learn more about Barack Obama and the caucuses on February 5.”

The ads complement Obama’s aggressive grassroots organizing that began in October.

Thus far, the campaign has recruited approximately 600 volunteers who have logged approximately 4,000 volunteer hours. The campaign has opened seven offices and engaged 45,000 Minnesotans in conversations about Barack Obama’s vision for bringing real change and restoring our standing in the world.  The Obama campaign was the first to open an office in Minnesota and the first to air television and radio ads.   

New Barack Obama Minnesota Radio Ad, "Because"

"Because"

BO: I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Anncr: Maybe it’s because you want to end a war…

Brian: Obama was against [the war in Iraq] from the beginning.

Anncr: Maybe it’s because he gets where we’re coming from…

Dante: Obama is the candidate for our generation.

Anncr: Or because you’re looking for someone who’ll do what’s right, instead of play political games.

Katie: Barack Obama just has an ability to bring people together.

Anncr: So Barack Obama’s the answer. But here’s the question. What are you doing February 5th? At 6:30 pm?

The change we need begins with you. Caucus on Tuesday, February 5th. But don’t be late – voting ends by 8:00 pm.

Text MN to 62262 or visit Minnesota dot Barack Obama dot com to learn more.

Because Barack Obama’s change we can believe in.

BO: I want you caucusing for me… You have the chance to decide the next president. You’ve got to get involved. You’ve got to get mobilized.

Anncr: It’s your world. On February 5th – help change it.

Paid for by Obama for America.

Obama Campaign Announces New Television Ads In February 5th States

Obama Campaign Announces New Television Ads In February 5th States
The new ads highlight Obama's ability to unify Americans to bring change

Chicago, IL —Today, the Obama campaign announced that it will begin airing new television ads in key February 5th states.  Over the past two weeks, the Obama campaign became the first to air ads in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Tennessee and  New Mexico.  Today, the campaign also becomes the first to air ads in Alabama, Georgia and Delaware.  The campaign is expanding ads through New Mexico, and also airing ads in Utah.

The new ads will begin airing tonight in the following states:

Alabama- President

Connecticut – Need

Delaware – Need

Georgia – President

New Mexico – President, Chances

Utah – Need

“President”

Visual
Audio

Barack V/O:

I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Visual

Barack’s Iowa victory speech
Barack Sync:

I’ll be a president…

Visual

“Obama offers universal health care plan”

Associated Press

May 29th, 2007
Barack V/O:

…who finally makes health care affordable…

Barack Sync:

…to every single American…

Visual

Barack working a rope line
Barack V/O:

…by bringing Democrats and Republicans together.

Barack Sync:

I’ll be a president who ends the tax breaks for companies…

Visual

Closed plant; workers speaking
Barack V/O:

…that ship our jobs overseas, and put a middle class tax cut…

“Obama calls for middle-class tax relief”

Reuters

Sept 18th, 2007
Barack Sync:

… into the hands of working Americans.

Visual

American flag; Barack with soldiers
Barack V/O:

And I’ll be a president who ends this war in Iraq and finally brings our troops home.

“Obama opposed Iraq war from the start”

Associated Press

Oct 2, 2007
Barack Sync:

We are one nation, and our time for change has come.

“Chances I Had”

Visual
Audio

Barack V/O: My parents weren’t rich. My father left me when I was very young.

Barack SYNC: The one thing I was able to get was a great education.

Barack V/O: We should give every child the same chances that I had

Obama’s Education Plan:

-  Expand early childhood education

-  Recruit a new generation of teachers

For more details:

NM.BarackObama.com

Barack SYNC: By investing in early childhood education and recruiting a whole new generation of teachers. But government alone is not going to solve the problem

Barack SYNC: We need parents to turn off the television and instill in our children a sense of excellence.

Barack SYNC: We’ve got to ask more of ourselves

Change we can believe in

Vote February 5th   

Barack V/O: if we want the kind of world education that they need.

Approved by Barack Obama. Paid for by Obama for America.

Barack V/O: I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

“Need”

VISUAL
VOICE 

CG: The Obama Plan:

- Close corporate tax loopholes

- $1,000 tax cut per working family

-  No taxes on seniors making under $50,000

Utah.BarackObama.com

Barack Obama for President

Vote February 5th

Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe On The CNN South Carolina Debate

Campaign Manager David Plouffe on the debate.

Tonight we saw how important it is to elect a President we can trust.  Barack Obama’s commitment to fighting for working families, expanding health care to the uninsured, and taking on the lobbyists who shut out the voices of the American people hasn’t changed with the politics of the moment, it’s been the cause of his life.

This campaign is a choice between a candidate who will do or say anything to get elected and a leader who has spent over two decades bringing people together, taking power away from the special interests, and being honest about the challenges we face.  That is how we’ll turn the page on the politics that have let us down for far too long, and that’s how we’ll solve the challenges we’ve talked about year after year after year.

Barack Obama Wins Delegate Battle In Nevada

Obama Wins Delegate Battle In Nevada

Statement from Barack Obama...

We’re proud of the campaign we ran in Nevada.  We came from over twenty-five points behind to win more national convention delegates than Hillary Clinton because we performed well all across the state, including rural areas where Democrats have traditionally struggled.  The reason is because tens of thousands of Nevadans came out to say that they’re tired of business-as-usual in Washington and ready for a President who can bring this country together, take on the lobbyists and special interests, and end the politics of saying and doing whatever it takes to win an election.  It is the kind of politics that feeds our cynicism and distracts us from taking on the real challenges facing America – an economy that’s left working families struggling, a broken health care system, and a war in Iraq that must end.

We ran an honest, uplifting campaign in Nevada that focused on the real problems Americans are facing, a campaign that appealed to people’s hopes instead of their fears.  That’s the campaign we’ll take to South Carolina and across America in the weeks to come, and that’s how we will truly bring about the change this country is hungry for.

Statement from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe...

We currently have reports of over 200 separate incidents of trouble at caucus sites, including doors being closed up to thirty minutes early, registration forms running out so people were turned away, and ID being requested and checked in a non-uniform fashion.  This is in addition to the Clinton campaign’s efforts to confuse voters and call into question the at-large caucus sites which clearly had an affect on turnout at these locations.  These kinds of Clinton campaign tactics were part of an entire week’s worth of false, divisive, attacks designed to mislead caucus-goers and discredit the caucus itself. 

Senator Patrick Leahy Endorses Barack Obama For President,

SENATOR LEAHY ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Cites Obama's Ability to Restore America's Standing in the World

Chicago, IL – Today, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President, citing his unique ability to restore America's standing in the world, end the war in Iraq, provide health care for all Americans, and rally this nation around a common purpose. 

Chairman Leahy said, "Barack Obama is the best candidate to reintroduce America to the world – and restore hope in our country.  Barack Obama represents the America we once were and want to be again.    When Barack Obama is President we will lead with hope, opening the doors of opportunity to all, realizing the potential of our great nation for its citizens and as a leader of the free world.    Barack Obama will be a President who once again believes, 'Yes, we can.'  That is why I am endorsing Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States."

Senator Obama said, "I am proud to have the support of Senator Leahy.   Senator Leahy had the judgment and courage to vote against the Iraq war, and he's been a champion of our rights here at home, and of human rights around the world. He is a leader guided by integrity, respect for our Constitution and a love of this country.   I look forward to working with him to stand up to the special interests, rally Democrats and Republicans together to get things done, and bring about change we can believe in." 

Leahy was elected to the United States Senate in 1974 and is currently serving his sixth term.    Leahy is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a senior member of the Agriculture and Appropriations Committees. He also chairs the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.

Two New Barack Obama Nevada Ads, "Would" And "President"

Two new Nevada ads

Two new ads are now running in Nevada. The 30-second campaign ad entitled “President” features Barack Obama detailing his vision for change: affordable health care for all Americans, tax breaks for workers, not companies, and an end to the war in Iraq.   

“Would," also 30 seconds, serves as a both a testament to Obama's past record and a declaration of what he will achieve as President. It details his opposition to the Iraq War from the start and his success in passing ethics reform to reduce the power of lobbyists, concluding with a promise to unite the nation and bring change we can believe in.

Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe On Tonight's Nevada Debate

Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe On Tonight's Nevada Debate

"Tonight, voters in Nevada and across America saw why Barack Obama is the one candidate who can bring Democrats, Republicans and Independents around an agenda that can help struggling families pay the bills, keep their homes, afford health care, and find good jobs with decent wages. Throughout his twenty-five years of public service, Barack Obama has made progress on tough issues like health care, death penalty reform, and ethics reform by bringing people of differing views and opinions together to get things done."

Obama Campaign Unveils Minnesota Latino Leadership Committee

Obama Campaign Unveils Minnesota Latino Leadership Committee

ST PAUL - The Obama for Minnesota campaign today announced its statewide   Latino leadership committee, chaired by state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, the first Latina ever elected to the Minnesota State Senate.

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Endorses Obama

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Endorses Obama

OMAHA, NE – Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) today endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing Obama's ability to bridge the partisan divide and to carry Democratic candidates across the country to victory in 2008.

"Those of us on both sides of the aisle who have made it our purpose to set aside partisanship to address some of the important issues of the day want a president that will join the effort, not foil it. Barack Obama, to me, represents the best hope for our own political reconciliation and a future where the cogs of government are working smoothly for progress instead of being gummed up by partisanship," said Senator Nelson. "Barack Obama will be the strongest candidate in the heartland, because he puts solutions and consensus fist and he inspires great crossover appeal among Republicans and independents."

"Senator Nelson represents how Washington should work – he reaches across the aisle to make progress where there is common ground," said Senator Obama.   "Senator Nelson understands that Americans in the heartland do not believe the country is divided into red states and blue states, they are ready to unite around a common purpose to bring the change we so desperately need.   As a Governor and a Senator, Ben Nelson led the fight to bridge the divide between urban and rural communities, to expand health care for children, to boost the production of renewable fuels, and to strengthen our military.   Independent-minded leaders across the country are joining my campaign because they know we'll need to unite Americans of all ideologies and from all walks of life to bring change we can believe in."