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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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Power to the women go Hillary

Posted by: Bishop | May 12, 2008 10:22:40 AM

I think that this is great and exciting that these two candidates, the first female and first African American/Bi-racial man to get this close in becoming the President of the United States. Though I'm very mindful of what these two have accomplished, it is more resounding to know that this candidacy has brought out so many young voters and just voters in general. This is a year that will go down in history. I think the Obama affect has taken everyone by storm moreso, not just because he is African American/Biracial, but the fact that he has the "it" factor that is needed today. He represents not only his black heritage but his white heritage as well. His stance on the issues are similiar to those of Hillary Clinton, but a more resound effect aludes him. He's fresh and his ideas relate across the board to so many. I believe that he can do so much in Washington and I hope that his change can bring us all together instead of it being a divide in this United States. A lot of people don't realize that to divide is to conquer and Washington in it's antics wants this nation to be divided so that it can continue on with it's greed and underhanded ways. Unfortunately, many Americans don't see that we are divided by so many things outside of just race...but we need to strive for a better America and I hope and pray that Barack can justify this.

Posted by: Troy | May 12, 2008 10:23:31 AM

Obama is not my hope my children are.

Power to the Women go Hillary

Posted by: Bishop | May 12, 2008 10:25:56 AM

Lawrence said: 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..

NO LAWRENCE. No one is trying to scare the Obama cultists. Those Democrats who will not vote for Obama will not do so because he is an inexperienced, deceptive, ruthless, divisive, race card playing and racist candidate. We love our families and love our country, more than we love the Democratic Party. It is a matter of principal. If it results in the defeat of Obama in November, should he be the nominee, then all the better.

Posted by: Trudy | May 12, 2008 10:31:18 AM

Just reading the various blogs on the Internet proves Obama could never unite this nation. Hillary supporters shun Obama, and McCain supporters never embraced him.

Posted by: No Can Do | May 12, 2008 10:35:22 AM

Do some of you non-college educated people that support Hillary realize that Barack has won the popular vote? A few of the comments seem to indicate that you do not get this. When someone wins the popular vote it means that more people voted for them than the other candidate. Just so that's clear.

I watched Amy Poehler as Hilary on SNL this Saturday and she was so spot on. I wanted to believe Hilary had ethics, which I did before the election started but it's clear she has very little to none and she's picked up the type of supporters that agree with that sort of stuff. Do we really need that sort of thing in the white house again? Our reputation is so damaged abroad that only someone like Barack has any hope of repairing it in a short enough period of time. You guys don't seem to realize that America is losing it's Superpower status and you're fools if you think other countries don't realize this and are going to try and take advantage.

Posted by: Chris | May 12, 2008 10:38:11 AM

As a Reagan Democrat I will say this, I am disgusted by the way Hillary was treated from day one. Obama better have more substance than his speeched or im over to McCain! An Im no blue collar worker, but a white collar hispanic democrat from NY. Hope Obama's analysit work overtime because if he loses New York to McCain, forget it. The race is over.

Posted by: NYCStylez | May 12, 2008 10:44:37 AM

That's the winning ad?? Geez, it's about as substantive as the rest of Obama's campaign. Matt, Ben and Oliver must have pulled a string of all-nighters to come up with that!

Posted by: WV-DC | May 12, 2008 10:45:38 AM

Boo-Hoo you have to have elected delagates the supers are not really pledged until Aug. And guess what old Barry won't have enough at the end of the next six primary's

Posted by: Bishop | May 12, 2008 10:48:09 AM

Hillary tried. Good bye Hillary. Not much difference between Hillary and McCain. America can put Obama to work. Time for a change.

Posted by: DenisR | May 12, 2008 10:52:11 AM

How can anybody who supports a candidate based on hope rather than details possibly criticize opponents as being uneducated?

Posted by: T | May 12, 2008 10:53:22 AM

This is a perfect example of why I no longer consider myself a democrat. Like Obama, and now these celebrity Move On far liberal supportres, what exactly do I have in common with them? Nothing. How can they relate to my life, my small town community, to my values - THEY CAN'T!! I am so sickened by this campaign. Let's just get to November so myself and thousands of ex-dems can hold our noses and vote for McCain. Sadly, he is more central and seems to represent my family more so than Obama and the Hollywood crowd does.

Posted by: Capu | May 12, 2008 10:53:43 AM

Reading these posts reinforces just how very divisive and noxious Hillary Clinton's campaign has been. Hillary supporters are the nastiest on the internet, they criticize Obama's record and policies without ever having actually listened to or read them, yet blindly support Hillary's every dumb manoever, like summer gas cuts and voting for invading Iraq, while Obama refuses to dupe the American public and spoke out against both. They forgive Hillary for endless lies, even when, asa in Bosnia sniper fire, she even lied about the lie...

They are blind in their support of Hillary, yet rude enough to disparagingly call Obama supporters "cultists"! What a joke. I blame Hillary for creating such a polarized following and brainwashing them to hate Obama.

Hillary supporters should read the overseas posting above..."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."

BTW - proof Hillary supporters don't read, just spew negativity and hate as a reflex...the ad was neither created by Hollywood, nor the Obama campaign. It was a consumer contest run by moveon.org and these were the winners.

Posted by: Truthfairy | May 12, 2008 11:14:53 AM

Capu: I agree with you. It turns my stomach to see Obama struting around Washihngton, hob knobbing with the big [politicians looking like an arrogant Peacock!

I too will be voting more McCain in the fall. He is the only one that I believe will be bi-partisian. He is looking better and better to me each day.

He is more of a Moderate than Obama and Hillary.

Posted by: stella | May 12, 2008 11:15:29 AM

WHO IS THE BETTER DEMOCRAT?

McCain or Obama?

Posted by: T | May 12, 2008 11:17:42 AM

McCain is the better democrate. At least you know what your getting.

Obama is a fake and mold of the extreme leftist in this country.

Posted by: stella | May 12, 2008 11:22:19 AM

T - the answer to your question who is the better democrat; McCain or Obama, the answer is neither. But at least with McCain we know he loves his country and is proud of it. I'll crossover for him.

Posted by: Smith | May 12, 2008 11:23:50 AM

Hillary is not electable. She is too divisive, and frankly, very phony.

All her years of experience is limited to being wife of a governor or a president. In that sense Barbara Bush is far more qualified. Give me a break.

Stop the lies and falsification acts.

Game is over.

Posted by: fooled_once | May 12, 2008 11:25:53 AM

stella

Thanks! Everyone should take a second look at this miserable person.

Posted by: T | May 12, 2008 11:33:01 AM

Should Obama become the Democratic nominee, Democrats have a unique responsibility this November. It will be up to Democrats and Independents to shield and protect this country from the most cynical and ruthless politician in modern history. Start now, and tell all your friends and relatives that for the sake of our children and our country, we must stop this inexperienced, deceptive, ruthless, divisive and racist man from taking control of the most powerful country in the world. Band together on the positive mission to stop Obama, NOW. Thank you.

Hillary; first choice
McCain; second choice
Racist and deceptive Obama -- NEVER

Posted by: Emily | May 12, 2008 11:58:12 AM

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