Obama ad appeal to African Americans
Posted: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 3:46 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In his continued courting of African Americans in South Carolina, where he is in a battle for support with Clinton, Obama has launched a radio ad narrated by Jesse Jackson Jr.
With what appears to be a piano rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" playing in the background, Jackson Jr. says his own name and "my father" twice in the 60-second ad and urges voters to support Obama, who has "taken up the torch" and is "continuing that march for justice."
In a veiled swipe at Clinton, Jackson says, "A lot of politicians call themselves our friends. But Obama has a heart that beats for our community. And he's dedicated his life to the struggle."
Jackson concludes, "Once, South Carolina voted for my father, and sent a strong message to the nation. Next year, you can send more than a message. You can launch a President."
Per the campaign, the ad begins airing today on 36 gospel and R&B radio stations across South Carolina. This is the third radio ad, Obama has run in the state.
Here's the full transcript of “Defining Moment”:
JESSE JACKSON JR: “This is Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Two decades ago, my father ran for President, calling on South Carolina and the nation to Keep Hope Alive. Today, Barack Obama has taken up the torch. He’s continuing that march for justice. And his campaign is a defining moment.
A lot of politicians call themselves our friends. But Obama has a heart that beats for our community. And he’s dedicated his life to the struggle.
As a community organizer for churches in hard-hit neighborhoods; as a civil rights lawyer and public official, Obama’s spent decades fighting for fairness. Obama’s passed laws to stop racial profiling, and the railroading of the poor in the justice system. And he’s spoken hard truths about the moral crisis in our community, and what we have to do to change it.
This is Jesse Jackson, Jr. Once, South Carolina voted for my father, and sent a strong message to the nation. Next year, you can send more than a message. You can launch a President.
OBAMA: I’m Barack Obama, candidate for president, and I approve this message.
ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Obama for America.
