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Celebrities Turn a Critic’s Eye to Selecting New Obama Ad

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May 12, 2008 7:36 AM

ABC News' Lindsey Ellerson Reports: Ben Affleck, Oliver Stone, Matt Damon, Naomi Wolf, Julia Stiles and other eye-grabbing celebrities joined together with the progressive group MoveOn.org to select the newest entry into Barack Obama’s ad campaign.

Judged as most compelling and representative of Senator Barack Obama’s message, just one day before the West Virginia Democratic primary, MoveOn.org is announcing the winner of a pro-Barack Obama ad contest created for the general public to try its hand in presidential politics.

The winning ad: “Obamacan,” illustrates a message Obama has continuously endeavored to clarify through this election season, that he has the ability to unite the country more effectively than his Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton. Illustrating his ability to unite historically disparate parties, the ad tells the story of a Republican veteran under former President Ronald Reagan and the first President George Bush and steadfast believer in national security turned Barack believer. The closing words of the television spot: “I’m a life-long Republican and I’m voting for Barack Obama.”

Watch the winning ad HERE.

“Obama’s candidacy is rallying people from across the political spectrum to end this war and take on our challenges at home--fixing our economy, getting all Americans healthcare, and powering our nation with clean and affordable energy,” says MoveOn’s Executive Director Eli Pariser.

MoveOn.org, which endorsed Obama in February – the first time the organization has endorsed a candidate in the Democratic primary – orchestrated this contest to shed a creative light on the Senator’s candidacy. 

Click HERE to watch all 15 finalists.

This contest seems to cater particularly to a large demographic of Obama supporters: young, energized and web-savvy voters who have been responsive to web-generated election content.  While MoveOn.org’s contest may not have generated as much internet attention as Obama Girl – click HERE to watch the latest Obama Girl video – and Black Eyed Peas star Will-i-am’s "Yes We Can” music video since the inception of the contest in late March, the progressive organization has received more than 1,100 entries and 5.5 million people nationwide cast their vote to help select the 15 finalists.

The ads were judged by MoveOn members, as well as the celebrity judge panel based on three criteria: overall impact, originality and positive message.  The entries were then posted to the internet and the general public was given the opportunity to rate the entries.  Of the 15 finalists, ten were selected by the MoveOn members and the other five were picked because of the amount of clicks they received on the site.

While the contest guidelines were minimal, allowing the producer creative liberties, the instructions clearly indicated the fundamental objective of the entry should be to promote the Senator and under no circumstances, criticize Democratic rival Sen. Clinton.

“Ads should not talk about Hillary Clinton or reference her,” MoveOn’s website specified.  “If you mention John McCain, George W. Bush, or the Bush administration, you should only do so in the context of contrasting them with Barack Obama.”

MoveOn.org will spend $200,000 to televise “Obamacan” on the cable channels as well as network TV in the battle ground states, such as Ohio, Colorado and Wisconsin.  The producers of the ad, David Gaw and Lance Mungia, both of Monrovia, California, will receive as a reward, a $20,000 gift certificate for video and production equipment.

The organization also awarded prizes to other select ad entries including “They Said He Was Unprepared”, which points out the parallels between Obama and former President Lincoln, as has been noted repeatedly by pundits throughout the campaign.  The script reads: “His opponents ridiculed him as inexperienced and woefully unprepared.  His only government experience had been serving the Illinois state legislature…He never held an executive or management position of any kind.  Yet, this man was elected president, twice.  And they said he was unprepared.”

Click HERE to watch it.

“Join Me,” which attempts to appeal to working-class voters with its “small-town USA” feel, showcases an All-American male discussing the importance of “family dinners” and “church on Sunday,” from the bed of his pickup truck. The piece reiterates the ubiquitous theme of change explored in the winning ad, “Obamacan”: the voter has been a life-long Republican but is now crossing party lines to vote for the Illinois Senator. “I’m going to be faithful to my values. Join me. Let’s bring our troops and our tax dollars back home where they’re needed.”

Watch the ad HERE.

May 12, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (106)

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The "game" is not in the number of traditional party loyalists crossing party lines. It is a small number in either direction. The game-winner is the group of people, sometimes called Reagan democrats, sometime so-called swing voters, or sometime being labeled as poor, less-educated, bitter voters.

Who has the most likely chance gainning their trust will in in November. Simple enough and seemingly obvious enough.

Posted by: tufa | May 12, 2008 7:52:48 AM

Only new and/or young voters will fall for a Hollywood driven promotional piece. Those of us who have been around awhile know empty hype when we see it. It's a shame the DNC insiders don't seem to realize that the majority of voters are not impressed by Hollywood's support of a candidate. How many MoveOn supported presidential candidates have actually won a general election?

Posted by: mhhunt | May 12, 2008 8:04:48 AM

The game is over by Obama rules...he does not need to get the needed amount of delegates, so why have a number that the candidate must reach? He does not need the people of West Virginia, Kentucky, and the remaining primaries---he has declared himself the winner. He does not need the voters of Pennsylvania, New York, California, Texas, Floria, Ohio, the top states. Well guess what he does not need my vote either. We sell "fairness" in American, "freedom of choice" which Obama land has done away with.......

Posted by: Anne | May 12, 2008 8:08:37 AM

I saw all the adds, and I must say, right now i am at a lost for words. I believe, I dont't want to be part of a blue state or a red state, I to be part of the United States. Join me will you, please. I am not the type of person to beg, and i yes, I am an Obama supporter, and yes, I am upset about the things that have been said. But today I just want to say, Please, join me, and be part of the United States. Please!!

Posted by: Sharon | May 12, 2008 8:18:03 AM

Hello, i just wanted to say that here in Europe and in the rest of the world we are just very excited, exilarated i d say that a person of the integrity of barack obama is going to be the next US president. After G.W.B we were not sure how worse it could get!! So perhaps you should give it a second thought all those people who disagree and ponder for a moment that the rest of the world will once again respect and not fear the U.S

Posted by: Tony Lemonde | May 12, 2008 8:46:06 AM

Yes this race is over unless Hillary can dig up more dirt to slow things down again. Being the woman that she is she's looking for something as hard as she can. Who in the world would want an underhanded lying woman like this to be president?

Posted by: Barbara | May 12, 2008 8:58:21 AM

Giving free advertising to Obama in the false premise it is a news story.

Al Gore thought he did not need West Virginia either.

Posted by: geevill | May 12, 2008 9:01:50 AM

Barbara

What's wrong with wanting to win? Doesn't Obama want to win also?

Obama's campaign has tried to dig up dirt too. Obama stays above it all while his surrogates sling mud with the best of them.

So, what's really the difference in the way each Candide acts?

Posted by: T | May 12, 2008 9:04:17 AM

What do I have in common with Hollywood elite? Nothing. Do they influence my vote? No. Will I remember and boycot them? Yes.

Posted by: justme2see | May 12, 2008 9:13:57 AM

Never ever never will I or my family vote for Obama.. Never EVER!
We have all drop the DNC and the Dem party is our history.
Will write Hillary in on the Nov ballot and vote for not ONE other....

Posted by: HP Boston | May 12, 2008 9:17:26 AM

Anne...you have the choice to vote for whomever you please. Just remember you will have a tought time sleping ig McCain gets in...4000 or more young men and woemn dead.BTW..Obama has NOT declared himself a winner, He simply feels it is better to attack McCain instead of Hillary. He has given her credit, and respect on every show I have watched. This more than she has given him.

Posted by: tellthetruth | May 12, 2008 9:46:50 AM

I thought how proud I am to be standing up beside my dad. Never did it occur to me that he would become the gist for cartoonists." (sic). "If you're sick and tired of the politics of cynicism and polls and principles, come and join this campaign." — Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 16, 2000 George Bush

Posted by: justme2see | May 12, 2008 9:48:56 AM

"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together." — Bartlett, Tenn., Aug. 18, 2000 (Thanks to Tarja Black.) George W. Bush

Posted by: justme2see | May 12, 2008 9:51:27 AM

"The fundamental question is, 'Will I be a successful president when it comes to foreign policy?' I will be, but until I'm the president, it's going to be hard for me to verify that I think I'll be more effective." — In Wayne, Mich., as quoted by Katharine Q. Seelye in the New York Times, June 28, 2000 George W. Bush

Posted by: justme2see | May 12, 2008 9:52:32 AM

I am glad he only needs the mens vote because he won't get many of the women voters who are supporting Hillary IMO

Posted by: Bishop | May 12, 2008 9:55:17 AM

Obama is running on the same type promises Bushie made. Be careful what you believe.

Posted by: justme2see | May 12, 2008 10:02:41 AM

BUSH: That's totally false for him to stand up here and say that. Let me make sure the seniors hear me loud and clear. They have had their chance to get something done. I'm going to work with Democrats and Republicans to reform the system. All seniors will be covered, all seniors will have their prescription drugs paid for, and in the meantime, we'll have a plan to help poor seniors and in the meantime it could be one year or two years.

Posted by: justme2see | May 12, 2008 10:07:14 AM

It's fine if she keeps running to the end, but then they will
move the goal post again to stay in until the convention...

We know the tricks by now...

Posted by: Lawrence | May 12, 2008 10:08:41 AM

Stella: Apparently you don't know the rules on these blogs. Rule One: You can trash Hillary Clinton as much as you want, in the most vile manner. Rule Two: If you wish to make points which are critical of Obama, you must tread lightly.

Posted by: Truth | May 12, 2008 10:11:04 AM

Do the HILLARY supporters actually think - threatening to vote for McCain when Obama wins the nomination actually scares anyone..who cares..for everyone lost, 10 gained..

Posted by: Lawrence | May 12, 2008 10:20:56 AM

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